Information Science and Learning Technologies How to apply

University of Missouri
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 requirements: A minimum of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale is generally expected. Transcripts using other grading scales are also accepted, as long as they reflect a comparable level of academic excellence.
  • Applications are evaluated holistically. If you do not meet admission requirements, consider providing evidence of exceptionality in other areas of your application. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is one way to provide additional evidence of exceptionality, but it is not required.
  • English language proficiency (international applicants only): A TOEFL score of 100, an IELTS score of 7.0, or a Duolingo score of 130 is required for all international applicants from countries not listed under Exemptions and Waivers, regardless of prior study in Anglophone institutions or countries (including in the U.S.)

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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is the doctor of philosophy in information science and learning technologies program right for you? Learn more and view frequently asked questions that will help guide you.

Application dates

After the admissions deadline, the SISLT doctoral faculty will determine which applicants will be invited for an interview. The SISLT Student Services Office will set up the interviews.

Decisions on admission will be based on due consideration of all information presented.

  • Timeline of review and admissions decisions following the application deadline:
    Within one week, the SISLT Student Services Office will make complete files available to SISLT iSchool doctoral faculty for review.
  • Within three weeks, the doctoral faculty will schedule and complete an interview with each qualified candidate.
  • Within five weeks, the doctoral faculty will meet to present and discuss their recommendations. The doctoral faculty will then vote on each candidate. At this meeting, applicants who are accepted will be assigned an initial adviser based on compatible interests and current advising responsibilities of doctoral faculty. Decisions regarding financial assistance, with the exception of some named assistantships, will not be made at this meeting.
  • Within seven weeks, applicants will find out via letter whether they are accepted.

To start classes in Apply by Classes begin
Fall, 16-week session Jan. 15 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. Prospective students are required to submit four written essays of 500 words each: a Research Statement, a Personal Statement, a Statement of Interdisciplinary Philosophy, and a Statement of Collegiality and Engagement. These essays will be a major source of information for the faculty as they consider your application.
    • Research Statement: Describe your research interests. Tell us your specific research goals and questions and how they might be achieved in SISLT. In addition, tell us how you have prepared (or plan to prepare) yourself to investigate your research questions, such as building skill sets or research experiences that are helpful for your research. In discussing these, give us one or two examples of a research project you want to conduct, as well as the names of faculty members with whom you want to work. Describe the reasons you want to work with those faculty members based on their research areas. Finally, what are your professional intentions and career goals?
    • Personal Statement: Describe your previous academic and/or professional experiences and how these experiences have prepared you for doctoral studies. What are your intellectual beliefs? What are your personal values and ethical principles, and will they serve you as a doctoral student? Describe what drew you to the field of information science or learning technologies. What are your passions, values, and personal experiences that will support you to become a researcher and/or educator in this field?
    • Interdisciplinary Philosophy: Reflect on the interdisciplinary nature of Information Science & Learning Technologies and their intersection with other fields such as computer science, sociology, psychology, and library science. How do you envision integrating diverse perspectives into your research?
    • Collegiality and Engagement: Learning to become a researcher requires more than taking a few classes and writing a dissertation. You will be expected to engage with other students outside of the classroom, and future colleagues through work with scholarly associations. Explain your commitment to becoming a collegial and engaged member of our community of learners.
  • SISLT Supplemental Information. Select at least two SISLT doctoral faculty you want to work with. Review the SISLT doctoral faculty profiles and identify two or more faculty members you want to work with. List their names in the corresponding question on the SISLT Supplemental Information portion of the application. You are encouraged to contact the faculty you are interested in working with before you submit your application.
  • Curriculum vitae or résumé.
  • 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

Apply here

Learn more about this program

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

Program contact