Library and information science How to apply

How to apply

Fulfill the admission requirements:

• Completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) in the last 60 hours of undergraduate education.
• For international applicants: Official TOEFL scores (if applicable) or IELTS scores (MU code: 6875, SISLT: 90).
• GRE scores are not required.

Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee admission into the program. For more information as well as helpful tips about the admissions process, please see our FAQs.

Gather your papers

Upload the following materials to the online graduate application:

• Résumé or CV. This should demonstrate high potential for success in the library and information science field.
• Responses to essay question prompts. 
  • Demonstrate your ability to succeed in a competitive master's program that meets wholly online.
    • Help the Admissions Committee understand what you will bring to the program, and why you’re a good fit.
  • In addition, demonstrate your capacity for success in a rapidly evolving and social field.
    • LIS professionals make extensive use of technology and must be excellent communicators.
    • They are highly engaged, constantly learning, and ethical in the work they do providing access to information for their users.
    • For additional insight into what the program requires, look to the student learning outcomes.
• Two letters of recommendation
  • In the online application, you will need to supply names and contact details of two academic or professional contacts, ideally who understand the rigors of graduate school, who can attest to your critical thinking, your analytical and writing skills, and your potential as a graduate student in a highly ranked and competitive program and/or your potential as a LIS professional. The Graduate School will contact your references with instructions regarding the letters. Letters from friends, family members, or co-workers who are not supervisors to whom you report or from anyone not familiar with your scholastic aptitude for graduate-level coursework are not appropriate, and will not count toward a completed application.
  • We strongly recommend that you have at least one recommendation letter from an undergraduate or graduate instructor who can attest to your critical thinking, and one letter from a supervisor or employer who can speak to your work ethic, propensity for learning new tasks, collegiality, or general “soft skills” that will support your future success in the information professions. If you have a unique circumstance (e.g., self-employment or no contact with former instructors), please contact us for advice. We do not accept letters of reference from references who cannot look objectively at your experience and potential for success given the requirements of this program and of professional-level work in the information professions.
• 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.
• For international applicants:
  • Full admission: TOEFL paper-based test minimum 590, TOEFL internet-based test minimum 100, IELTS minimum 7.5.
  • Probationary admission: TOEFL paper-based test minimum 550-589, TOEFL internet-based test minimum 80-99, IELTS minimum 6.5-7.5. Requirements for leaving probation status may include additional language testing or course work, as designated by your advisor and LIS faculty.