The Drexel University College of Information Science and Technology, also called the iSchool, is one of the primary colleges of Drexel University

Drexel University

Drexel University is a private research university with the main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a noted financier and philanthropist. Drexel offers 70 full-time undergraduate programs and accelerated degrees...

 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The college is housed in the Rush Building, which is the oldest building on campus, and used to be a hospital.

Though the iSchool is best known for its ALA-Accredited Master of Science in Library and Information Science, the oldest continually running program of its kind, it also offers undergraduate and graduate curricula in information systems, information technology, and software engineering.
The iSchool is part of the iSchools Caucus, and also hosts the grad student run Internet Public Library

Internet Public Library

The Internet Public Library is a non-profit, largely student-run website at Drexel University. Visitors can ask a reference question. Volunteer librarians and graduate students in library and information science form collections and answer questions. The IPL opened on March 17, 1995.- History...

 (ipl2).

Undergraduate

The iSchool offers four undergraduate programs: the Bachelor of Science in Information Systems (BSIS), the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT), the Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering (BSSE) and the BS/MS Accelerated Degree Program which allows students to complete both a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree. Most of the undergraduates take the advantage of the Drexel's flagship program, the Ultimate Internship to get real-world work experience before graduation.

The iSchool also has a Peer Mentor program through which incoming undergraduate students get mentors assigned to them who are already students in the above mentioned degrees. Every student can apply to be a Peer Mentor after their first year and go through an interview process for selection.

Graduate

The college offers master's and doctoral programs. Master's programs include the Master of Science (MS) in Library and Information Science, the Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) and the Master of Science in Software Engineering (MSSE). Apart from these specialized programs, dual degree (MS/MSIS) in Master of Science in Library and Information Science (MS) and the Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) is also offered. An online Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI) launched in 2011. The doctoral program includes a PhD in Information Studies. Moreover the iSchool offers various certificate programs for Professional Development.

Special programs

The iSchool hosted the Pennsylvania Governor's School for Information, Society and Technology (PGSIST) from 1998 until 2008, at which time the PGSIST was canceled due to statewide budget cuts. The program included a full scholarship summer enrichment program which was committed to meeting the educational needs of academically talented high school students through a five-week-long on college campus program.

Developed jointly by the iSchool and the Computer Science Department Drexel now hosts the Drexel University Computing Academy (DUCA), the state recognized alternative to PGSIST. DUCA is a five-week program that allows high school sophomores and juniors with an interest in the computer field to not only learn about various topics in computing, but also to work on group projects, experience a university environment by living on campus, and participate in various activities in and around Philadelphia.

Rankings

In 2007, the college ranked 5th nationally for specialized programs in information systems, 6th nationally for specialized programs in digital librarianship. Overall the library and information science program was ranked 11th for Library and Information Studies Specialties.

In 2009, US News and World Report ranked The College of Information Science and Technology's library and information science graduate program 9th for Library and Information Studies Specialties.

Facilities

The iSchool is housed in the Rush Building at the corner of 33rd Street and Lancaster Avenue. Constructed in 1904, the Hospital for the Treatment of Consumption and Related Diseases was named after Benjamin Rush

Benjamin Rush

Benjamin Rush was a Founding Father of the United States. Rush lived in the state of Pennsylvania and was a physician, writer, educator, humanitarian and a Christian Universalist, as well as the founder of Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania....

, the famous 18th century Philadelphia physician and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence

United States Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence was a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain regarded themselves as independent states, and no longer a part of the British Empire. John Adams put forth a...

. In 1961, Drexel University acquired the building to in part house its Graduate School of Library Science.

From 1978 to 1981, the Rush Building was renovated for sole use by the library and information science programs. The project cost $2.4 million, $1 million of which came from a Pew Charitable Trusts grant. 2006 saw the renovation of the lobby and expansion of the Alumni Garden. In 2008, the Computing Resource Center (computer lab for use exclusively by IST students) was remodeled and renamed the iCommons.

A west wing expansion is part of the Drexel campus 5-year plan. This would add 38000 square feet (3,530.3 m²), doubling the size of the facility.