Mathematics Degree Online

Has anyone in Yahoo Answers Land gotten a library science degree online? If so, what was it like?

What are the pros and cons of an online degree, based on your experience?

Public Comments

1. I saved a lot of time & money staying close to home to get my degree, you can find degree program in your area here on Monster Learning.
2. I may be overly sensitive to this issue because I never worked in a library before I started working on my MLS. I look at some new grads who have had almost no face-to-face contact with their classmates or professors and I wonder how I would have managed. It can be done – I see it in some of the very bright people graduating these days. And I see people of all ages new in this field (it is my third career, probably will be in it forever). I'm a librarian, and although I did my MA in person (1996 grad), the program that I attended, at a state university, is now available completely online. Presently I'm contemplating a second master's degree (because I am an academic librarian) via a program offered online. It's not my first choice to do graduate work online, but I can't find the degree that I'm interested in offered locally to students that can only attend part-time. The cons: *I don't easily make friends online, and in librarianship, networking is very important. If you are already working in a library in some capacity this isn't as much of a concern to you. *How will my professors ever know me well enough to be able to write me a recommendation for my first professional position? Again, if you're already working in a library, you will have contacts that can provide references for you. *Education, particularly at the graduate level is about a lot more than content. *At the local program, a Florida university, there is a $150 surcharge on every online class on top of the tuition. It costs $150 more per person, per course to put that class online, no physical classroom to heat or cool, no liability of a student getting injured on campus? I doubt it. *maybe that person that I see in the grocery store every week is in my class, but how do I know that? The pros of the online MLS, to me, are as follows: *convenience *it shows that you are at least minimally computer literate, and as a librarian in ANY setting, the more technical skills that you have, the better off you will be *sometimes it's the only option (is that a pro?) I’m in a position that has hiring input. I see librarian candidates from the local program that come to work for us both as librarians and in paraprofessional positions while they are working on the MLS. If you are going to do the degree online, you need to make every opportunity to get in-person experience. Get a paraprofessional job at a local library or volunteer. Join the Friends of the Library at the public library, even if you don’t want to do public library work, and get involved as much as possible. Join the ALA as a student ASAP and get involved in the student ALA section at the library school. Join your state’s library association and get involved. If you can’t do committee work without the MLS, ask for a committee intern position. If you are going to do the degree in person, you still need to do those things, but you will have the added advantage of more contact with your professors and fellow students. Best of luck to you. I wish I could chat with you personally.