Hello Theresa,
Would you clarify what you mean by Knowledge Organization Systems?  I believe there are programs that would fit, depending on your definition.  As always, the thing to do is to look at the research that interests you, find the faculty members who are doing it, and then see if they are teaching at a place offering a PhD.

Regarding online PhDs, as far as I know only one such program exists and it is only beginning this year.  It is offered at San Jose State University in conjunction with an Australian University.

It is doubtful that you will ever see many PhD programs offered online.  Doctoral education is much more intense than masters level education, and it requires much more faculty contact.  Schools encourage full time participation in doctoral education, which also means being present physically to participate in things like research colloquia, faculty committees, and other activities aimed at introducing you to what the life of an academic or researcher is like.

That said, it may be that at some time in the future a professional doctorate (akin to an Ed.D.) might be offered online.  We have talked about it here at the iSchool although we will not likely do it soon, if ever.  It would be aimed at people who want to do applied research, usually in their home institutions (we assume such a program would necessarily be part time), and would mostly use their doctorates to advance in library management positions as opposed to becoming researchers or academics.

If you have any questions, please let me know - we can email offline unless others are interested.
Allyson

-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion List for issues related to cataloging & metadata education & training [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Perkins, Theresa Jo Anna Ms.
Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 8:51 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [eduCAT] Doctoral Education in Cataloging

This may or may not be a related issue - as a practicing librarian with an MLS and a prospective doctoral student I would be much more interested in a Ph.D. program (particularly one offered online) that goes beyond cataloging and addresses broader issues of Knowledge Organization Systems. As far as I know there is no such program.