Programs
Contact
MLIS General Inquiries
mlisinfo@uwo.ca
519-661-4017
FIMS Graduate Student Services
519-661-4017
Hybrid vs Online
Hybrid Pathway
The hybrid pathway is designed to meet your diverse learning needs as you experience the richness of in-person learning, while benefiting from the flexibility of online options and a self-paced progression. The on-campus option is ideal for those who: seek in-person connections with peers, faculty and staff; want to make full use of FIMS and Western resources beyond the classroom; prefer hands-on learning in an environment optimized for learning; want a tailored schedule that connects you to your interests; desire to participate in campus and graduate student life.
Online Pathway
While attending in-person and completely immersing yourself in the campus experience is always a great option, we recognize that it's not a practical choice for eveyone. The online pathway is designed to meet accessibility needs, ensuring a quality education is within reach for everyone. The online option is ideal for those who: live in a remote location; need to balance school with professional commitments or family responsibilities; require a customized learning environment.
Comparison of Hybrid vs. Online options
| FEATURE | Format |
| HYBRID | Students attend in person and are expected to take onsite classes (with some online availability). |
| ONLINE | Students can complete all program requirements remotely. |
| FEATURE | Course Access |
| HYBRID | Access to in-person and online courses. |
| ONLINE | Priority access to online courses. Access to in-person courses will only be granted by special permission. |
| FEATURE | Intake Options |
| HYBRID | May or September intake only. |
| ONLINE | January intake only. |
| FEATURE | Optional Co-op |
| HYBRID | Yes |
| ONLINE | Yes (however we cannot guarantee remote co-op placements will be offered) |
| FEATURE | Part-Time Study (1 or 2 courses per term) |
| HYBRID | Yes |
| ONLINE | Yes |
| FEATURE | Full-Time Study (3 to 5 courses per term) |
| HYBRID | Yes |
| ONLINE | Yes |
| FEATURE | Completion Time |
| HYBRID | Completion in as little as 1 year. |
| ONLINE | Completion in as little as 1 year. |
| FEATURE | Community |
| HYBRID | Join us on Western's campus with thousands of graduate students, access to unique social opportunities, clubs, and all the recreational facilities Western has to offer. In the FIMS & Nursing Building, you can mix with peers, meet instructors and take advantage of extracurricular options. |
| ONLINE | Participate in monthly virtual small-group gatherings and attend hybrid events such as guest lectures or professional development opportunities. Most online courses will be asynchronous, so chances to get to know your classmates are more limited compared to a hybrid format. |
| FEATURE | Learning Environment |
| HYBRID | Full access to on-campus resources and services including specialized libraries, computer labs, student services and collaborative learning and study spaces. |
| ONLINE | Study from your chosen location with access to virtual resources and supports such as student services and IT support. |
| FEATURE | Technology Requirements |
| HYBRID | Most students bring their own devices but there are fully equipped computing labs available for anyone who does not have access to personal equipment. |
| ONLINE | Stable, high speed internet access and a desktop or laptop computer capable of running Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Brightspace are required. |
| FEATURE | Accessibility |
| HYBRID | Western's campus is physically accessible, as is the FIMS & Nursing Building. Special learning arrangements for students are made through Western's accessibility services. |
| ONLINE | Flexibility to work in your own environment with familiar equipment and resources. |
| FEATURE | Program Support |
| HYBRID | In-person access to FIMS/MLIS support staff, student services, faculty, supplemental learning resources (ex. writing support) and enriched learning opportunities. |
| ONLINE | Limited access to physical campus, so some supplemental resources will not be available, but remote access is available for all vital resources and services. |
| FEATURE | HYBRID | ONLINE |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Students attend in person and are expected to take onsite classes (with some online availability). | Students can complete all program requirements remotely. |
| Course Access | Access to in-person and online courses. | Priority access to online courses. Access to in-person courses will only be granted by special permission. |
| Intake Options | May or September intake only. | January intake only. |
| Optional Co-op | Yes | Yes (however we cannot guarantee remote co-op placements will be offered) |
| Part-Time Study (1 or 2 courses per term) |
Yes | Yes |
| Full-Time Study (3 to 5 courses per term) |
Yes | Yes |
| Completion Time | Completion in as little as 1 year. | Completion in as little as 1 year. |
| Community | Join us on Western's campus with thousands of graduate students, access to unique social opportunities, clubs, and all the recreational facilities Western has to offer. In the FIMS & Nursing Building, you can mix with peers, meet instructors and take advantage of extracurricular options. | Participate in monthly virtual small-group gatherings and attend hybrid events such as guest lectures or professional development opportunities. Most online courses will be asynchronous, so chances to get to know your classmates are more limited compared to a hybrid format. |
| Learning Environment | Full access to on-campus resources and services including specialized libraries, computer labs, student services and collaborative learning and study spaces. | Study from your chosen location with access to virtual resources and supports such as student services and IT support. |
| Technology Requirements | Most students bring their own devices but there are fully equipped computing labs available for anyone who does not have access to personal equipment. | Stable, high speed internet access and a desktop or laptop computer capable of running Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Brightspace are required. |
| Accessibility | Western's campus is physically accessible, as is the FIMS & Nursing Building. Special learning arrangements for students are made through Western's accessibility services. | Flexibility to work in your own environment with familiar equipment and resources. |
| Program Support | In-person access to FIMS/MLIS support staff, student services, faculty, supplemental learning resources (ex. writing support) and enriched learning opportunities. | Limited access to physical campus, so some supplemental resources will not be available, but remote access is available for all vital resources and services. |
