School of Library and Information Studies > Distance Education
Frequently Asked Questions
How does an online course work?
Online courses at TWU are highly interactive. Instructors use a course website called Blackboard for posting lectures and reading assignments. Students participate through discussion boards and/or chat rooms and e-mail. Assignments are submitted electronically through email, web sites, and Blackboard submission tools.
Can all courses for the MLS degree be taken online or do I have to take several courses onsite?
The MLS can be obtained entirely online, however some courses are only offered face-to-face. In any given semester, you may not have the exact courses you want available in an online format but there will always be an array of electives, which continues to expand.
If participating in the distance education program, how often is it necessary to actually physically go to the campus?
Never. You are not required to physically attend the distance education courses. You are encouraged to attend regular full day or half day forums held each semester providing all students the opportunity to come to campus, meet faculty and staff, and attend sessions on a variety of topics of interest (such as the Practicum, final Portfolios, certification requirements, etc.).
What are the procedures for doing the practicum for distance education students?
Essentially they are the same as those for local students in that the School helps you set up the practicum based on what you want to do and what's available in your area. The key difference is the evaluation which may be done by phone, a visit, or an additional external evaluator.
How is the practicum completed if the student lives out of state?
The student will complete the practicum at a local library or information agency with the approval of the faculty supervisor and coordination by SLIS. The faculty supervisor works with the student and the site supervisor to provide guidance throughout the practicum. The evaluation of the Practicum by the faculty supervisor will be done by phone, a visit, or via an additional external evaluator.
How do I find out which classes are offered through Distance Education?
Consult the Course Rotation Schedule . Courses are continually added to the rotation in the DE format so check each term for updates. The rotation is a goal, not a promise, so students should be prepared for changes and for new course opportunities.
How do I access online courses?
Online courses are accessed through Blackboard , TWU's web-based course delivery system. You will be assigned a username and password for Blackboard once you have registered and paid for classes. More information on using Blackboard is available through TWU's Distance Learning Student Orientation.
What is GLISA?
GLISA (Graduate Library and Information Studies Association) is the TWU Student Chapter of the American Library Association. It's a great support group for graduate library students. GLISA promotes the social, cultural, intellectual, and professional growth of the students in the School of Library and Information Studies.
How do I register for classes?
You can register for classes via the web-based Pioneer Portal. The Pioneer Portal is where all students can check email, review transcripts and grades, and register for classes. If you do not have a portal account, you must first create one from the log in page.
How do I pay for classes?
You can submit payment for tuition and fees through CRIS (940-898-2747, select option #3 in the automated menu) or by fax (940-898-3578) using a credit card, or by mail to the Bursar's office, TWU, P.O. Box 425439 , Denton , TX 76204 . Students are strongly encouraged to contact the Bursar's office to be certain that full payment has arrived on time as late payment of any sort results in being dropped from the rolls without exception.
How do I use the library?
The TWU Libraries website on Distance Learning has information on requesting books, articles, and Interlibrary Loan materials.
To receive library services, all distance educationstudents must complete and submit the registration form at https://www.twu.edu/library/dl/dlservices_form.htm
The Distance Learning Librarian is available for additional assistance by phone at 940-898-3797 or email.
How do I get textbooks?
You can buy textbooks online from the TWU Bookstore and have them delivered to your home. To find out what textbooks you need, wait till your class starts and check the course web site.
How do I get more information about the Distance Education program?
You may consult the Distance Education website.
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