Guide to Online Education > Online Education In-Depth > Meet Real Online Students > Jen F., M.S. in Library and Information Science
What has been your favorite course so far in your program?
My favorite course thus far was IST 511, Introduction to the Library and Information Profession, which was actually not a distance course per se—it had a distance learning component, as well as a week-long residency requirement over the summer.
Name: Jen Ferguson
Age: 39
Marital Status: Married
Children: One child
Career Transition: Moving from scientist to library work
School: Syracuse University
Target: M.S. in Library and Information Science, 2008
So all the new library students met and got to know each other a bit up at the Syracuse campus this summer. The two summer session classes met in person for a total of 10 days.
How did you do with the in-person learning component?
I was frankly skeptical of the residency, but it turned out to be a great class and a great chance to get to know the folks I'll be spending the next couple of years with.
There are still on-campus courses—short, intensive courses, mostly in summer—that distance students can take towards the degree. But you can graduate without ever setting foot on campus again, if you prefer it that way, which is a good thing for my classmates who are living far from campus, even in other countries.
Do you plan to pursue any more degrees?
I might do a Certificate in Digital Libraries through Syracuse after I finish my MS-LIS. We'll see.
How much is this degree costing you?
Eek. Er, let's see, probably close to $30,000 by the time I finish. I'm paying with a combination of things: tuition assistance, money earned through my current job, and mostly through student loans.
How did you approach your employer to pay for some of your schooling?
It was very easy, in my situation. My employer (a large university) will pay for any class (up to a yearly limit) that leads to a degree that you can demonstrate could lead to your employment at the college.
In my case, that was as easy as filling out a Web form that basically said "You hire librarians and archivists and such, and the MLS degree will allow me to fill those jobs." Done.
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