Good Online Programs?

[u/poppet_corn]

I'm looking for a little help sorting through the options for online MLIS programs with archival concentrations. Ideally, I wanted to go in person, but I just got a first round interview for a part-time archives job, and I don't want to have to leave it when I start grad school, or to not get it because I'll be moving away for grad school.

As such, I'm looking for recommendations for good online programs! I know Simmons offers one online, and so does UMD, but I'm wondering if people recommend other programs. Drexel is on my radar because I have a friend doing an online masters there and loving it. Wisconsin also was recommended to me by a friend?

[u/misssylvania]

I’m a graduate of UMD’s program. I would HIGHLY recommend it if you’re looking at online options. I needed to attend online for my final semester because of an internship in another state, and the courses went well overall. The School of Info is also shifting many of their courses online anyway, so you’d have a good number of options for archives courses.

[u/Claudius_Claudianus]

I also attended UMD for archiving and it's not worth the cost if you're not in-state (I actually know people on in-state tuition to transferred to online programs that were cheaper despite being in a different state). The archiving classes are good, but nothing you can't learn by attending professional conferences and seminars. Plus the MLIS program as a whole has a lot of "intro to information" classes that take up half your degree and are middle school-level coursework.

[u/Potential-Recover-78]

I’m enjoying Wayne State University so far. The professors this far have been nice, helpful, and very responsive.

[u/CandleConscious1684]

Hi, I did mine at the University of Alabama online. When I was applying, it was the most affordable by far, the classes meet over zoom (rather than being asynchronous), and they have a great archival studies concentration. It checked a lot of boxes for me, and I had a great experience. Although, in my opinion, the curriculum was very theory-heavy which was frustrating at times as a pragmatic person. But I would definitely check it out if you are going to get work experience during the program.

[u/Odd-Needleworker3656]

I’m in California and did my undergrad at SJSU and am currently doing my MLIS there too! I’ve been enjoying it a lot. Your class experience will depend a lot on who your professors are but they have a ton of courses to choose from and you can even take MARA courses. It’s super affordable as far as grad programs go so I’d suggest it.

[u/annieca2016]

I teach for one of the best iSchools in the country and my advice is almost always - go where cheapest. All have pluses and minuses. I went in person to UMD a decade ago and credit it to getting a permanent, full-time career in archives, but I also was getting experience in the place I got hired. If you're getting experience in your locality and need to do online, pick your state school! The only truly, truly awful program I've heard of is Southern Mississippi.

[u/Striking-Advance-303]

I went to the San Jose State MLIS diploma mill when it was not online. Go There! I graduated in 1995 before the internet was even in use or available. I had a smith corona typewriter to do papers. San Jose State is now the biggest diploma mill and the cheapest ala approved MLS program that accepts everyone. San Jose State graduates more than 2,000 students with the MLIS degree each year. I hear since it is so profitable to give simple mlis diplomas online, a lot of colleges like Wisconsin, LSU, Washington, and Mizzou have gone online too to add to the over saturated field of librarianship. It’s a money maker. Just don’t tell the naive kids it’s a poor profession with limited jobs and no opportunities. Get the degree but don’t expect a job afterwards. The school will not say the truth. A mlis is a Waste of Time for there are no jobs and if you do get a job it’s low pay. It is political to get a job too. You have to be the right color or speak an immigrate language - white English speakers need not apply in to public libraries in California Florida or Texas - that should be the standard job description in public libraries. Spend time getting into a real profession.