Information science and learning technologies How to apply

University of Missouri-Columbia
Doctor of philosophy
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How to apply

Fulfill the admission requirements

  • Completed master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  • GPA minimum requirement: Graduate GPA of at least 3.5.
  • Graduate Record Exam (GRE) minimum scores:
    • 156 Verbal
    • 146 Quantitative
    • 4.0 Analytical Writing
  • TOEFL (if applicable) Minimum Scores
    100 total for internet-based test
    * Reading 20
    * Listening 20
    * Speaking 20
    * Writing 20

All international students, regardless of other study in Anglophone institutions or countries (including in the U.S.) will need to submit TOEFL scores. The only exemptions are for students from the countries listed on the ITAP site as being exempt.

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Canada (except Quebec)
  • Dominica
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • Malta
  • New Zealand
  • St. Kitts and Nevis
  • St. Lucia
  • St. Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • UK

Application dates

After the deadline, applicants that meet the minimum requirements will have an interview with SISLT iSchool faculty. The SISLT iSchool Student Services Office will set up the interview.

Decisions on admission will be based on due consideration of all information presented and on the recommendations of the faculty. Prospective students will only be accepted into the program if a faculty member agrees to serve as their advisor. A decision will be sent to the prospective student within six weeks of the interview.

To start classes in Apply by Classes begin
Fall, 16-week session December 1 (Priority) August
Fall, 16-week session February 15 (Regular) August

Gather your papers

Applying will be easier and faster if you gather these required documents beforehand:

  • Transcripts of all previous college or university education. Upload unofficial transcripts in your online application. If you are accepted, you will be asked to provide official transcripts.
  • Statement of purpose. This will be a major source of information for the faculty as they consider your application. Explain your professional intentions, career goals, intellectual beliefs and research interests. Use this statement to convince the faculty that you are a mature, self-directed and purposeful individual.Please do not copy ideas from our website. Rather, convince the faculty why pursuing a doctoral degree is an important life goal for you.
  • Curriculum vitae or résumé.
  • Faculty names with whom you would like to study. 
  • TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or C1 Advanced score reports for applicants whose native language is not English. For information on sending test scores, visit the Graduate School website.

  • Three letters of reference sent on the references’ letterhead.

  • Optional: Any other materials you wish to include to support your application (e.g., papers you have published, technical reports you have written or any other supportive materials).

Complete the online application

Carefully follow the instructions on the application site.

  • Upload the above documents in the online application
  • Degree/delivery: Doctorate- Distance (Online/Remote Site/etc.)
  • Academic program: Information Science and Learning Technologies-Distance (PhD)
  • Domestic application fee: $75.00
  • International application fee: $100.00

Application fee waiver questions: Contact MU Graduate Admissions with questions via 573-882-6311 or 1-800-877-6312 or via email at gradadmin@missouri.edu

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This program is administered by the School of Information Science and Learning Technologies

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