Is it just me, or is this a little crazy/scary?

Hello!

I ran across this site/forum in my search of information about DE. I'm familiar with the concept (I'm only 2 years removed from getting my UG degree), but never quite in the way I'm proposing.

Due to some careless mistakes way way back in my undergrad career, my GPA stinks. Math and Science classes were a killer (and had nothing to do with my Major, thankfully- but they still counted). Despite this, I want to get my MLIS degree and work in Public Librarianship. Because of my GPA my options are extremely limited for ALA (American Library Association) accredited schools in the US.

After doing some research I found that there are a handful of Australian schools that offer MIS degrees that would be accepted when looking for library jobs in the US. One in particular, Charles Sturt University, offers a complete DE program.

So, in short... is it crazy of me to even be considering applying to a school in a country that I may never step foot on?

 

Hi sukibeth, a warm welcome to Degree Info. Here's some information for new members regarding the delay in your posts appearing on the board: http://www.degreeinfo.com/general-distance-learning-discussions/35100-new-users-ask-where-did-my-posts-go.html

What you are considering is not crazy at all. We talk about that sort of thing around here all of the time. We have a number of members here who have attended and graduated from foreign universities. I know very little about library science, so I can't offer any specific recommendation, but I would suggest that you check with some prospective employers to make sure that they would honor the degree you earn.

 

Thank you for the warm welcome and the advice!

 

Program Overview

If you're in the U.S., there is at least one (link above) program tied to a brick and mortar state university. Good luck!

 

Hi - This study might be of interest to you: http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1052&context=morris_articles

BTW, how bad is your GPA? Did you do better in the last half of your program? Many graduate programs require a minimum 3.0 GPA for admission, but they often have provisions for those students whose overall GPA is < 3.0, but showed improvement during their last 60 credits. The online MSLS at Clarion University is an example of one such program.

 

If a UK degree suffices; you may want to ensure that the degree awarding UK institution is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CLIP); CLIP is a Royal Charter organization CILIP | Home. Nonetheless, “...the majority of job postings for librarians in the United States (US) and Canada still require degrees from ALA-accredited LIS programs, and there have been instances of librarians with foreign credentials either being turned down for professional positions or having to earn a second LIS degree in order to gain professional employment in the US.” Here is a study assessing the comparability / transferability of ALA- and CILIP-accredited programs:
Assessing the transferability of library and information science (LIS) degrees accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) | Goblaskas | Library Student Journal

UK Universities offering DE postgraduate (CLIP accredited) LIS degree programs:

Robert Gordon University: MSc Information and Library Studies
Library and Information Studies Masters | Master Library Science Degree

Northumbria University: MA /MSc Information and Library Management
Information and Library Management PGDip/MA/MSc - Northumbria University, Newcastle UK

Aberystwyth University: MSc Information and Library Studies
Aberystwyth University - MScEcon/Diploma Information and Library Studies (Distance Learning)

 

You mention being 2 years away from graduation, is that 60 credits? If so, you have ample time to up your GPA.

 

This is a very important point (leave it to Jennifer) You may not be in as big of trouble with your GPA as you think, if you can kick it up and make a lot of "A's". Even though you can do your school in Aussie Land, you might find it easier if you can get into a US school.

 

You can google GPA calculator, but if you have graded 60 credits with a 2.0 GPA, you can earn a new 60 at an A (4.0) and you leave with a 3.0
I'm not totally sure how leaving the country increases a GPA, especially since you'll have to reveal your old grades upon any grad application. If you rock out the solid 4.0 on your remaining 60 credits, that's enough of an upward trend that you'll be fine.

 

I'm not sure if you earned a degree two years ago or have two years to go.

If the former why not take 6 or 9 units of the grad degree as an external student (depending on the school). That will then should give you an advantage in signing up for the degree.

If the latter have you considered the Excelsior BSLS - very light on math/science but allows lots of professional electives (library science might be condidered a professional subject)