From 0 credits to an MLIS

[cherrylily]

Hello, 

Your Location: Pennsylvania 
Your Age:27
What kind of degree do you want?: Bachelors to Masters Library Science
Current Regional Accredited Credits:0
Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits: none
Any certifications or military experience?: no
Budget:As cheap as possible
Commitments: I work part time
Dedicated time to study: 6-8 hours
Timeline:ASAP
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: Zero

It’s been a long time since a I’ve been on this forum, almost 7 years. I am finally ready to commit and put my mind into getting a bachelors in hopes to also getting a Masters in Library Science. I understand that Sophie/Saylor is one of the ways to go about it, but I don’t know the exact plan. I’ve been reading some threads on here, but haven’t found anything with my specific path. I was looking at going to TESU since you can put more credits (I believe if I got that right ). Anyways, any help would be greatly appreciated! r

[bjcheung77]

Basically, a good start with some of the info requested in the addendum and template, it's a bit compact and concise.  Having said that, it's not as clear, is that 6-8 hours a day or a week? Most people would give a range for the budget, as everyone would want the cheap, easy, fast option.  Extra, yet, simple details will help others guide you, such as the additional info I mentioned in the addendum plus template.

To start, I suggest getting the 90+ credits towards the UMPI Bachelors of your choice, you need graded credits for entry into the MLS programs, you can take the 4 classes that can go towards the MAOL later, UMPI would be the heavy favorite, TESU a good backup option. Here's an example to ladder into:  Emporia Library Science (MLS) $14,900 https://www.emporia.edu/graduate-school/...-and-fees/

Recommended pathway example: UMPI BABA PM & IS > UMPI MAOL or MSB > Emporia MLS
Controversial pathway with ENEB: ENEB Triple Masters > HAU MBA > Emporia MLS

[cherrylily]

Basically, a good start with some of the info requested in the addendum and template, it's a bit compact and concise.  Having said that, it's not as clear, is that 6-8 hours a day or a week? Most people would give a range for the budget, as everyone would want the cheap, easy, fast option.  Extra, yet, simple details will help others guide you, such as the additional info I mentioned in the addendum plus template.

To start, I suggest getting the 90+ credits towards the UMPI Bachelors of your choice, you need graded credits for entry into the MLS programs, you can take the 4 classes that can go towards the MAOL later, UMPI would be the heavy favorite, TESU a good backup option. Here's an example to ladder into:  Emporia Library Science (MLS) $14,900 https://www.emporia.edu/graduate-school/...-and-fees/

Recommended pathway example: UMPI BABA PM & IS > UMPI MAOL or MSB > Emporia MLS
Controversial pathway with ENEB: ENEB Triple Masters > HAU MBA > Emporia MLS

Thank you, I greatly appreciate your response. It would be 6-8 hours a day. I’ll continue to look it, but I would like to know how did you find this information to come to this conclusion? What should I be searching for when it comes to come up with a degree plan? I’m apologize if these are a lot of questions, but I do greatly appreciate your help.

[bjcheung77]

Essentially, I look at the final educational goal first and see what optional pathways are valid to reach that goal. For example, someone is looking for a MEd in Advanced Teaching (IB) from UofPeople, they want to get that newly minted RA degree as UofPeople recently achieved RA status, plus it's really affordable.

You look at the entry requirements of the Masters degree and complete those during undergrad, if it requires specifics, you have to get them, otherwise, if they just need a 3.0 GPA on your undergrad studies in any subject, then any degree would do for entry. That's it, really simple, exceed those entry requirements...

For your example, I just randomly searched for MLS within a budget of 15K and came up with Emporia. You can do a search for others that are cheaper if possible, or more recognized in your state, etc. It won't really matter, jot down their requirements for entry, and try to exceed those, good GPA, prerequisites, etc.

[dr master]

To add to this a more practical approach will be to search indeed for the jobs you want which might be the only reasonable end goal of getting a degree and see what's the requirements or basic qualifications for all those similar job's on indeed then you work your way back to what degree will get you there  ,can I get this job with certification, if not can I get it with associates degree if not then move to bachelor degree , if not then move to master degree ,

[wow]

For your example, I just randomly searched for MLS within a budget of 15K and came up with Emporia.

The Emporia tuition is per year, not for the entire program, correct?

[bjcheung77]

The Emporia tuition is per year, not for the entire program, correct?

No, it's for the entire program. A very inexpensive program indeed.

[cherrylily]

The Emporia tuition is per year, not for the entire program, correct?

No, it's for the entire program.  A very inexpensive program indeed.

May I ask, why would you recommend UMPI over TESU? I also seen in another thread that they have refined the usage of Study.com, what does that mean exactly?

[bjcheung77]

@cherrylily, instead of copy/pasting or typing out the info again, I'll point you to these two threads: I suggest reading them in detail, if you want the shorter version, just my posts would give you the snapshot of the details in brief...

This is the main reason, you may want to review all the posts from me in the thread for more details (from the beginning): https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid443909

Read post #27 here and all subsequent posts from me in regards to Sophia.org/Study.com to UMPI: https://www.degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-...#pid439550

[Momof3Girls]

Just a quick note. Daughter #2 is pursuing her MLIS. You can earn a BA/BS in anything that interests you. She chose to dbl major in history & chemistry and is pursuing a dbl master's - MFA in book arts and her MLIS. Her ultimate goal is book preservation. (for the diehards groaning over that brick & mortar cost - she earned a free AA in high school - so there's that *sigh*)

You don't need a BA in library science, just the MLIS. There is a list of accredited programs here: https://www.ala.org/educationcareers/acc.../directory

You should also research options within library science. There are more avenues within the field than you would think

Good luck.