St. Catherine University Online Library Science Masters Review
Most people who are planning for careers in library and information science know there’s one big educational hurdle they need to clear — getting a master’s degree in the subject. Fortunately for prospective students across the country, there are dozens of excellent options for pursuing graduate education in library science, including here in Minnesota. St. Catherine University is home to a library science master’s degree that can be earned in a hybrid-online format.
Let’s check out what students should know about this program, including its pros and cons.
About the Program
Before we jump into what makes St. Kate’s program good (or bad) for the average student, let’s take a look at some facts and figures about it.
Basics
- Institution type: Private
- Campus: Paul, Minnesota
- Accreditation: American Library Association (ALA)
- Program format: Hybrid
Tuition and fees
- Expected total tuition: $35,928
- Per credit-hour tuition: $998
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 Special Collections, Digital Libraries, Managerial Leadership, School Library Media Specialist, Academic Libraries, Public Librarianship, School Librarianship, Special Librarianship, Technical Services, User Services, Youth Services
Biggest Pros
What factors are strongest in favor of the St. Catherine MLIS degree?
Accreditation
Many jobs in library and information science require state licensure, and this generally is granted only to those who have earned master’s degrees from programs accredited by the American Library Association. St. Kate’s MLIS program has earned the ALA’s seal of approval.
Specialty areas
While only one applicable degree is available (Master of Library and Information Science), St. Kate students can choose from a large number of specialty areas to create their own unique educational experience that speaks to their interests and career goals. The options range from traditional areas like school librarianship to more modern ones like digital libraries.
No practicum requirement
Students in St. Kate’s MLIS program are required to attend some courses in-person, but they aren’t required to complete a practicum in order to earn their degrees. But students who do complete practicum experiences can earn course credit in exchange.
Biggest Cons
No program is perfect for everyone, so what should students know about the drawbacks of getting their MLIS at St. Catherine?
Not fully online
As mentioned, courses in the St. Catherine MLIS program are primarily offered in-person, though some are online. While this certainly is a knock for students looking for a 100% online experience, the program was designed with working professionals in mind, as most in-person courses meet on nights and weekends.
Cost
Private universities tend to be much more expensive than public ones, and St. Kate is no different. Students should expect to invest more than $35,000 in tuition costs alone to complete their degrees, which may be too expensive for many students to consider.
St. Catherine University Online Library Science Program FAQs
Here’s a look at some of the most commonly asked questions about St. Kate’s MLIS program.
Can I complete the degree entirely online?
No, St. Kate’s MLIS degree is in a hybrid format. This means that while some courses can be completed online, most of them are offered in-person at the St. Paul, Minnesota campus. That said, on-campus courses are offered primarily at night and on the weekend, which is ideal for students who will need to keep working while they earn their degree.
Can I do a practicum or internship for credit?
Students are not obligated to complete a practicum or internship, but students may complete a practicum for credit after finishing core courses in the program. Academic credit isn’t given for an internship, even one that’s unpaid.
Do I have to take the GRE?
No, applicants are not required to submit scores for tests such as the Graduate Records Examination. However, they must provide an official or unofficial undergraduate transcript (or record of previous graduate coursework) that shows a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Conclusion
In any field, completing a master’s degree is a major accomplishment. For those considering careers in library science, getting their degree is usually a mission-critical aspect to being able to get any sort of job. For students in the St. Paul area, St. Catherine offers a robust hybrid degree that may be on the pricey side but offers a wide range of specialty areas that could be ideal for the right students.