“Not just a single student with a computer, but rather an online community of learners.”

The advantage of organizing student cohorts is that students can draw upon their peers as well as their instructors for support throughout the program. Peer interactions play an important part of the on-campus learning experience, and this interaction will play an important instructional role in the FT/MLIS Program as well.

FT/MLIS students will begin the program as part of a cohort of peers that will move through the program together. Each new cohort will begin with an orientation in the summer term that introduces students to the program, faculty, and to one another. This orientation also provides “hands-on” computer training, and builds camaraderie and a cooperative learning network among students and faculty. Students will also spend time together with their instructors in on-campus learning experiences one weekend of each subsequent term.

"What I like about this program is that you complement the online experience by spending structured time on campus on a regular basis. You lose out on things without regular face-to-face contact with other students and faculty. The on campus experience is a big plus."

Dan LaValla, FastTrack Student - Cohort One

Students live in 19 different states, ranging from California to Florida, as well as the District of Columbia. The program also has students from outside the United States. They range in age from 24 to 65 with an average age of 39, and hold a variety of 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.

"I just have to tell you how very much I am enjoying distance learning. I feel that we as students have bonded more than I ever have in a 'real' classroom and in a very short periond of time. The discussion boards and virtual classrooms are great. I look forward to each new assignment and I have had some of the best class discussions of my educational career. Thank you for accepting me to the program, and I look forward to each new term!"

Jamie Alascia , FastTrack Student - Cohort One