UW-Madison SLIS-PALS distance education program

The University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS) in cooperation with the Prairie Area Library System (PALS) in Illinois is offering the ALA-accredited Master's degree program to qualified students from the PALS area as a distance education program. Students admitted to the program will be charged tuition at a rate similar to Wisconsin residents.

Course delivery methods include the use of videoconferencing technologies as well as online formats. For the first two semesters of study, this cohort of students attends the required core courses together at the PALS service centers (Shorewood, Rockford and Coal Valley.) The courses are conducted using VTEL broadcast (Two-way interactive videoconferencing sending and receiving live video and audio simultaneously between several sites.) By the third semester, students will choose from elective courses available in an online format. Both of these methods of course delivery use the Learn@UW courseware that is widely used throughout the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Admission procedures and policies closely follow the established UW-Madison SLIS admission requirements and standards. SLIS arranges the course schedule and instruction, and manages student admissions, advising, and records. PALS staff provide classroom space, two-way videoconferencing equipment, and will identify and supervise practicum experiences.

All requirements for degree completion are the same as the UW-Madison on-campus Master's program, with the exception of the practicum. Each SLIS-PALS student will be required to complete a practicum of at least 120 hours (on-campus students may elect to do a shorter practicum). The practicum sites will be in PALS system libraries. During the practicum, students will be supervised by professional staff at these PALS libraries and service centers, and UW-Madison SLIS faculty and instructors. See the Practicum Overview for more information.

Most students will be working at least part-time, and many full-time, in PALS area libraries, and will usually take 2 classes per semester (Fall, Spring and Summer.) Depending on course loads and eligible credit transferred into the program, students may be able to complete the 42 credit hour requirement in about two years, but have up to five years for degree completion.

For more information about degree requirements, please see MA Program Planning Guide (pdf). The PALS program has a separate application form available at http://www.slis.wisc.edu/admissions/application/PALSapplication.pdf For more information, contact Debra Shapiro at (608) 262-9195 or by email at dsshapiro@wisc.edu

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