I’ve noted here several times in the past that I have long wanted to pursue a PhD in librarianship. I’ve pretty much given up that possibility though, for a number of reasons. I feel like I’m too old, and I question my own ability to meet the challenge. More importantly I have a wife and family who come first and whom I could not support effectively if I were a full time student.

Occasionally I see announcements of the availability of stipends or grants that would give full tuition reimbursement for chosen candidates for this or that PhD program. This latest one from University of Texas at Austin and Drexel makes me a bit wistful.

It makes me a bit wistful because there is a basic requirement that chosen candidates be in residence at either school. That’s impossible for me to consider. I fully understand the desirability and the benefits of that requirement. But I can’t help wondering when or if or where there is a well regarded school that will offer a PhD in LIS that I can pursue almost entirely online. Surely this isn’t out of the question in terms of possibility?

If anyone who has any involvement in such a program should some day happen, miraculously, to read this post, consider this a plea. I think there are lots of people like me out there who can’t or are not able to pull up stakes and move and complete a PhD program in residence.