Academic Policies
Attendance at On-Campus Experience
The FastTrack MLIS Program is based on the cohort model with the intention that students will be an active part of an online community of learners. The Program has been developed for adults who have career and/or family obligations. It uses a combination of asynchronous course instruction and a short period each term of live interaction on-campus. This component of face-to-face instruction was the key factor in receiving approval from the University of Pittsburgh and from employers.
The Library and Information Science faculty stand firm in its conviction that the on-campus experience is vital to the strength and reputation of the MLIS program. Therefore, all students enrolled in the FastTrack MLIS Program must attend the mandatory on-campus sessions in each of the six terms of study. A medical situation validated by the student's physician is the only accepted excuse for not attending an on-campus session. If a student claims other extenuating circumstances, the student may petition the Admissions and Review Committee for permission not to participate in a single term’s on-campus experience prior to the weekend session.
Instructors may include a graded assignment that can be completed during the on-campus visit. Instructors have the option to lower a student’s grade if he or she fails to attend the campus session.
Students enrolled in one or more asynchronous courses must participate in each term’s on-campus experience. A student may be exempt from participation in a single term only if they are registered for two of the following:
- LIS 2901 Individual Research 1
- LIS 2902 Individual Research 2
- LIS 2921 Field Experience/Placement
- Enrolled in a course to be transferred from another university
Students enrolled in LIS 2922, Practicum in School Library Media Centers, must attend the on-campus session.
Students who qualify for exemption from the on-campus session must arrange for an individual telephone interview with the supervising faculty member a minimum of one time during the term.
Online Course Participation Policy
The FastTrack MLIS Program was developed for adults who have career and family obligations. The asynchronous design of the courses allows for students to participate at any time or any location. Just as on-campus students are required to attend each class session and to participate in class activities, FastTrack students are required to participate actively in each learning activity as required by the individual instructor and to complete each course assignment on time. It is the responsibility of FastTrack students to make arrangements for participating in the course consistently throughout the term. An instructor has the option to lower a student’s grade for lack of timely participation.
Incomplete Grades
University policy is that Incomplete (G) grades must be completed by the end of the following term.