Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, all of the St. John’s online graduate programs highlighted here are fully online, with no on-campus components or required residencies built in.
No. You will have specific assignment deadlines and test dates, but you can complete your online coursework at times that are convenient for you.
No. You may choose the days and times you want to log in to the Internet to work on an assignment. But you must complete your assignments and submit them by the specified dates and times. Courses may vary in having between one due date or several due dates per week.
Just fill out our online Information Request Form and we will call you to answer your questions. If you’d like to speak to a program manager immediately, feel free to call us at 844-393-1677.
You can start your application online or visit the Admission page for a list of the materials you will need to submit for application.
The M.S.L.I.S. program can be completed in as little as 24 months.
The Ph.D. in Literacy program can be completed in just 3-4 years.
Earning an online graduate degree from St. John’s University enables you to advance your career opportunities while you still meet your professional, family, and other commitments.
Online classes give you the opportunity to complete your coursework when and where it’s convenient for you, giving you the flexibility you need as a working professional.
Yes, financial aid is available for those who qualify. Visit the St. John’s Tuition and Financial Aid page for more information.
Yes, St. John’s University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, a voluntary, non-governmental, membership association that is dedicated to quality assurance and improvement through accreditation via peer evaluation. Middle States accreditation instills public confidence in institutional mission, goals, performance, and resources through its rigorous accreditation standards and their enforcement.
At this time, St. John’s University is authorized to offer its online degree programs to residents of all 50 states in the U.S. We will continue to monitor developments regarding distance education authorization in states other than New York, pursue appropriate approvals or exemptions, and provide updates when available.
As a provider of distance or online education, St. John’s University is also required by the United States Department of Education to provide all prospective and current out-of-state students with contact information for the appropriate agency in their home state that handles complaints against institutions offering distance learning within that state. Students are encouraged to follow the university’s Academic Fairness Procedure prior to filing a complaint with a state agency. Contact information for the appropriate agency that handles student complaints in states except for California, as well as the District of Columbia and U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S Virgin Islands, may be found at https://www.nc-sara.org/state-portal-entity-contacts. Residents of California enrolled in an online program at St. John’s University may find information about the student complaint process in that state on the California Department of Consumer Affair’s website:https://www.dca.ca.gov/consumers/complaints/oos_students.shtml.
Yes. St. John’s University is accredited by the Middle States Commission of Higher Education Accreditation. The M.S.L.I.S. program is accredited by the American Library Association. St. John’s is one of only seven institutions on the east coast that offers an ALA-accredited 100% online program.
Yes. The Ph.D. in Literacy program is accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC).
No. The M.S.L.I.S degree is fully online, with no residency requirement or campus visits required.
No. The Ph.D. in Literacy degree is fully online, with no residency requirement or campus visits required.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Resume or C.V.
- Official transcripts from each institution attended.
- Two letters of recommendation from professors, instructors, or persons with whom you have worked in a professional capacity.
- A statement of professional purpose, which should include a meaningful discussion of what you hope to accomplish with an M.S. in Library and Information Science from St. John’s.
- Official TOEFL, IELTS or DUOLINGO scores are required for applicants whose native language is not English.
- All students who have attended an international university or whose academic records are in a language other than English, and not accredited by the United States, must submit a foreign credential evaluation. Please refer to www.naces.org for a listing of credential evaluating agencies from which we can accept course by course evaluations. The evaluations must contain US grade and credit equivalents.
- Master’s degree in any field.
- GPA. of 3.2 or higher.
- Resume or C.V.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- MAT/GRE:
- Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Analytical Written Section, satisfactory score.
- While we require a MAT/GRE score to be submitted, we evaluate each application holistically to identify each applicant’s strengths.
- Official TOEFL, IELTS or DUOLING scores are required for applicants whose native language is not English.
- Research background and goals for doctoral study/future career.
- All official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate studies.
- All students who have attended an international university or whose academic records are in a language other than English, and not accredited by the United States, must submit a foreign credential evaluation. Please refer to www.naces.org for a listing of credential evaluating agencies from which we can accept course by course evaluations. The evaluations must contain US grade and credit equivalents.
Nearly all of our online instructors are both full-time faculty and experts in their field. When we do use adjunct instructors, they are current professionals in the field of study they teach, giving you access to current real-world knowledge.
The M.S.L.I.S. program at St. John’s is distinguished by its:
- E-portfolio aligned with ALA core competencies that enables students to gain practical knowledge and showcase their work to potential employers.
- Mentoring program that helps students network and understand educational and career opportunities.
- The O’Connell Scholarship, awarded for academic merit based on GPA.
- A strong alumni network committed to your success.
- Unique concentration options that allow you to tailor your learning to your career goals.
The online Ph.D. in Literacy from St. John’s stands apart for its:
- Curriculum focused on addressing the at-risk population
- Quick time of completion (3 to 4 years, vs. 3 to 6 years for many programs)
- Choice of a cognate in TESOL or Literacy
- Full-time faculty committed to student success via teaching and advising
M.S.L.I.S. program tuition for the current academic year is $1,565 per credit hour.
For financial assistance, visit our Financial Aid page. Scholarships are available.
Ph.D. in Literacy program tuition for the current academic year is $1,470 per credit hour.
Learn more about tuition and fees by visiting our Tuition page.
If you have general question, concerns, or feedback about your online courses, our dedicated coordinators are available to help. They offer the general support on topics such as MySJU, locating important academia resources, and enjoying a successful online learning experience at St. John’s.
If you experience technical difficulties during normal business hours, please contact either Sullivan Lab at (718-990-6672) or Marillac Lab at (718-990-6748). Lab assistants can help you with the logging in process, user id format, password format, and navigating within MySJU. If the lab is closed, please contact the Service Desk at (718-990-5000). Service Desk support hours are Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Upon program completion, students will have a mastery of the eight program goals based on the ALA’s Core Competencies of Librarianship. Students will:
- Develop an understanding of the foundations of the profession
- Develop an understanding of information resources
- Demonstrate ability to organize recorded knowledge and information
- Apply technological knowledge and skills to practice
- Apply reference and user services
- Master research methods
- Experience continuing education and lifelong learning
- Apply key concepts of administration and management
This program will:
- Broaden and increase your depth of knowledge on literacy for all learners, including diverse and at-risk populations
- Develop you into a literacy educator who sees diversity as an advantage
- Equip you with forward-thinking perspectives on literacy research, theory, practice, and evaluation
- Instill an advanced capacity to conduct research and inquiry
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