Professional Development Program
The College offers a variety of credit and non-credit options that provide an opportunity for librarians, information systems professionals, and specialists in related fields to update their education or develop new expertise.
Certificate of Advanced Study
This non-degree program provides specialized training beyond the master's degree. Practitioners are able to build skills and expand knowledge in areas appropriate to their career goals. The program is not research oriented, nor intended to provide credits that can be applied toward doctoral studies.
Students design a program of study in consultation with a faculty adviser, and must complete 32 credits within three calendar years. Such individualized plans often require coursework found in other Drexel departments or other universities, but at least 16 credits must be chosen from information studies courses. Students also complete an independent study project, which integrates studies, field experiences, individual reading, and work experience.
Applicants must hold master's degrees. The Graduate Record Examination is not required. Most applicants have earned a master's in library and information science, computer science, or a related field. However, students who hold a master's in another field, but who have supplemented this degree with extensive experience in an information-related profession may also be considered.
Individuals who hold master's degrees in an information studies field may take selected courses for graduate credit by applying for admission as a nondegree, post-master's student. The Graduate Record Examination is not required. The application should specify the courses desired.
Those who wish to attend selected courses but who are not interested in earning graduate credit may be admitted as auditors, space permitting. Auditors are charged at the credit-hour rate for master's students.
