Dominican University Online Library Science Masters Review
In most fields, getting a master’s degree signals a serious commitment to the study of your chosen field. But for some industries, such as library science, a master’s degree is mission-critical to even getting a job at all. Fortunately for library science students in the Chicago area and across the country, many schools, such as Dominican University, offer online education in library science.
Let’s explore what students should know about Dominican’s online master’s degree in library science so they can make informed decisions about their educational pursuits.
About the Program
Here’s a look at some basic facts and figures about Dominican University and its Master of Library and Information Science degree.
Basics
- Institution type: Private
- Campus: River Forest, Illinois
- Accreditation: American Library Association (ALA)
- Program format: Online, traditional, hybrid
Tuition and fees
- Expected total tuition: $30,600
- Per credit-hour tuition: $850
Degrees & requirements
- Library science degrees offered: Master of Library and Information Science
- Number of credit hours required: 36
- Estimated time to completion: 24 months
- Optional specializations: Archives and Cultural Heritage Resources and Services, Data and Knowledge Management, Digital Curation, Digital Libraries, Health Informatics, Informatics, Web Design, Youth Services
Biggest Pros
What aspects of Dominican’s library science master’s are likely to be the most attractive to a given student?
Accreditation
Dominican University’s library science program first earned accreditation from the American Library Association in 1938. ALA accreditation is not only a signal that a student has completed a degree that meets a variety of standards in the field, but in many cases, ALA-accredited degrees are the price of admission to certain jobs in the field. Particularly for roles in publicly funded spaces like schools or libraries, state rules require certain professionals to have master’s degrees from institutions that have earned the ALA’s seal of approval.
Specialization options
Eight specialization areas have been established, ranging from the traditional (youth services) to the emerging (health informatics). The options cover many of the most popular fields of study in library science, making Dominican a versatile school for the average student.
Delivery flexibility
While our primary focus here is on distance learners (aka online students), Dominican is among elite company in offering a variety of delivery methods. Students can complete their degrees completely online, or they can attend in-person in the River Forest campus or at a campus in downtown Chicago — or they can take a little from Column A and a little from Column B and complete their degree in a hybrid format.
Biggest Cons
Are there factors that might make students think twice before they apply to the Dominican University MLIS?
Cost
While it’s reasonable among private institutions, tuition in Dominican’s MLIS program is upwards of $30,000, which makes it more expensive than the average program. Tuition is the same regardless of how a student attends, so the cost may be a non-starter for many students.
Admissions requirements
Some applicants will be required to submit scores on either the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT), depending on their undergraduate GPA, or prior graduate GPA.
Dominican University Online Library Science Program FAQs
Here’s a selection of the questions prospective students most often ask about Dominican’s online library science master’s degree.
Do I need to take the GRE?
Applicants must submit a GRE or MAT score from the past five years unless they have an undergrad or prior graduate GPA of at least 3.0. Minimum scores are a combined 297 (current scale) or 1,000 (prior scale) on two portions of the GRE and at least a 3.5 on analytical writing, or an MAT score of 404.
Is a thesis required?
No thesis or internship project is required for graduation, but students must complete a faculty-led e-portfolio process, and they may complete a practicum for course credit if they wish.
Can the degree be earned entirely online?
Yes, students in Dominican’s MLIS program can choose to take all their courses online, while those who live in the Chicago area may opt for a hybrid setup in which they take some courses online and others on-campus. Course offerings for online students vary by term, so students will need to work with advisers to plan their educational path.
Conclusion
For most people who are considering a career in library science, they already know they need a master’s degree, so deciding to seek a MLIS isn’t really an option. The majority of ALA-accredited master’s programs in library science offer at least partially online degrees, and Dominican University is among the leaders when it comes to combining online education with a vast array of specialty areas. It’s slightly on the pricey side, but it’s an excellent option for students who want a private education that’s not totally out of reach financially.