How do I apply?

The information you need to apply for admission is available online at http://www.sis.pitt.edu/~dlis/academics/admissions.html#process. You may apply online at: https://app.applyyourself.com/?id=up-is.

When may I apply? When will I know if I have been accepted? When will the FastTrack Program begin?

The deadline for applications for the next entering cohort (Cohort 7.5) is July 1, 2007. Classes for this cohort will begin on August 28, 2007. Click here for schedules of future deadlines.

How much will the FastTrack MLIS program cost?

For the latest tuition and fee rates, please check here.

Is financial aid available?

At the present time, financial aid from the School of Information Sciences is not available to students in the FastTrack MLIS Program. In addition to government financial aid opportunities, applicants are encouraged to investigate financial aid and scholarship opportunities through local, state and national information management professional associations.

What do I need to connect?

Students in the FastTrack MLIS are required to connect to the Internet via a broadband Internet service provider (ISP). What this means is that each student must have a connection that relies on DSL (digital subscriber line) or cable modem technology. The reason for this policy is that we believe the quality of Web-based education depends significantly on the quality of the connection that a student has to the Internet. Broadband ISPs generally install the necessary hardware and include a rental charge in the monthly user fee; some ISPs offer consumers the option of buying a DSL or cable modem.

What type of computer do I need?

The FastTrack MLIS requires that each student owns a personal computer that is outfitted with a Pentium III-or Pentium IV-class microprocessor and sufficient RAM -- 128 MB or more -- and disk storage to support Microsoft Office 2000 or Office XP.

(In the Macintosh environment, the equivalent computer is a PowerMac G4 or an iMac, with at least 128 MB RAM and Microsoft Office 2001 or Office X for the Macintosh installed.) In the PC environment, this means that the computer should have no less than 64 MB RAM; if you are using Windows 2000 or Windows XP, the system should have at least 128 MB RAM.

In addition, the FT/MLIS program recommends that the personal computer is equipped with a graphic adapter capable of supporting streaming video, a microphone for audio input, and a Web browser with Java support (e.g., Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera, MSN Explorer, NeoPlanet, etc.). See technical requirements for a more in depth description.

How is the FastTrack MLIS organized as a learning experience? What will I learn?

The FastTrack MLIS program is based on the concept of the student cohort and the belief that group-based learning is a highly effective approach to the mastery learning on which professional education relies. The goals of the MLIS program are defined in terms of a series of competencies that each graduate is expected to possess at the conclusion of his or her course of study. This expectation applies to the FastTrack MLIS, as well as the on-campus program. (For a more extensive view of the benefits of online education, see Blackboard's Educational Benefits of Online Learning. )

How long will it take to earn the MLIS degree?

It should take six terms, two years of year-round study, to complete the FastTrack MLIS Program.

How much time will I have to spend on campus in Pittsburgh?

For those entering the program during the summer, the new cohort will meet in Pittsburgh for five days in July to complete course requirements, get hands-on computer training and become acquainted with each other, the School’s faculty, staff and other cohort students. In each of the subsequent five terms, this cohort is required to come to campus for a weekend. Students first enrolling in the Fall semester will meet in Pittsburgh for three days in October. In subsequent terms, they are required to be on-campus for a weekend. Here is the schedule for FastTrack MLIS.

How much time will I have to devote to my learning experiences?

Asynchronous learning tends to be comparatively demanding because there is often more emphasis on reading, because contributing in significant ways to threaded discussions and interactive chat sessions tends to be time-consuming, and because it may take more time to locate and assimilate course material presented through a delivery mechanism such as CourseWeb. Hence, two courses in a term represents a full load in the FastTrack MLIS program.

What courses will I take?

In the first term, each student in the FastTrack MLIS will take LIS 2000: Understanding Information, and LIS 2600: Introduction to Information Technologies. In subsequent terms, students will undertake requirements and electives within the framework of the program track that they have selected.

What is WISE?

Web-based Information Science Education (WISE) is a unique and groundbreaking opportunity for Pitt students to take elective online courses from other ALA-accredited programs. Leading schools in the information field have gone outside the classroom to extend their reach to broaden the online educational opportunities for students. The WISE consortium uses advanced technology as a means to enrich one’s education and foster relationships among students, faculty and universities. More information about WISE can be found here.

Are there other educational experiences available through the FastTrack MLIS?

In addition to the regular course work, students in the FastTrack MLIS program may undertake LIS 2901: Individual Research, under the direction of a faculty member, or LIS 2921: Field Placement, under the co-direction of a faculty member and a supervising professional practitioner.

May I transfer credits into the FastTrack MLIS Program?

Yes. You may transfer up to six (6) semester hours of graduate credit toward the MLIS degree. Please refer to the Transfer of Credit guidelines.

How will I learn? What teaching methods will be used?

The FT/MLIS program will be delivered to students using at least four methods of instruction: Web-based asynchronous course delivery, CD-ROM delivery of course-and program-related materials, synchronized, real-time conferencing for interactive sessions between instructor and students and among students, and an on-campus learning experience each term the student is registered for classes. Asynchronous course delivery via the World Wide Web using Blackboard's CourseWeb will be the primary method of delivering instruction in the FastTrack MLIS program. This method is based largely on the idea of the Web as an environment conducive to effective teaching and learning. Course delivery is designed to reduce "transactional distance" between instructors and learners by building carefully on the interplay between learning structures and communication and the communication flow between teacher and learner.

Can I specialize?

Yes. The FastTrack MLIS offers three tracks. The first track is the School Library Certification Program. The second track is for those students who are pursuing a career in medical librarianship or medical informatics. And the third track is designed to meet the needs of generalists who wish to pursue careers in public libraries, small-to-medium sized academic libraries, or special libraries.

What are the career opportunities?

There are many career opportunities. And there is lots of information about librarians and career opportunities for librarians available via the World Wide Web. Students in the FastTrack MLIS cohorts will be preparing for careers in school library and media center management, medical librarianship/informatics, or in academic, public, or special libraries.

What is the profile of previous cohorts?

Students from the previous cohorts live in Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, California, Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia. They range in age from 24 to 65 with an average age of 39, and hold a variety undergraduate degrees in elementary education, English, psychology, art history, zoology, communications, social work, urban planning, sociology, speech, biology, and mechanical engineering. Many students also hold additional advanced degrees. Though most members of the cohort do have library experience, several members have less than one year experience. The cohort concept makes it possible for all FT/MLIS students to learn from other cohort members. The range of backgrounds, experiences and interests adds to the discussions, projects and overall learning experience of each student.

Who do I contact if I have more questions?

Our advisors and faculty are available to answer your questions. Start by sending your questions or area of inquiryt to ftinfo@sis.pitt.edu . It will help you to get all the information you need to make a decision.