School of Library and Information Science

Online & Weekend Learning Program (OWL)

In Fall 2011, SLIS will launch a Online & Weekend Learning Program (OWL) for both the Generalist and the School Library Media courses of study for the the Master of Science in Library Science program. OWL will combine synchronous and asynchronous online instruction with monthly Saturday face-to-face classes (4 or 5 times a semester). Two courses will be held each semester including summer. Saturday meetings will be scheduled so that students will only have to make one trip a month to campus. For the rest of the time, classes will make use of Adobe Connect for synchronous learning and Blackboard for asynchronous learning. Students will study as a cohort that advances together through program taking the same classes together each term. If an Generalist OWL students wishes to take a non-OWL class, they may do so in consultation with their advisor.

OWL is designed to meet the needs of working students and those who live far from Catholic University Campus. Among its advantages:

• Convenience: Students with busy schedules can participate in classes from your own home or workplace.
• Flexibility: Combination of three formats of course delivery provides students the flexibility they need.
• Community of learners: Studying as cohort helps students develop strong professional relations with fellow classmates.
• Ease of Scheduling: Saturday meetings and online learning make it easier for students with professional and family obligations.

Course sequence

The OWL curriculum provides students with the knowledge and skills that are valuable to any information intensive environments, including academic, corporate, public, special libraries and other information centers.