Admissions Criteria

Admissions Criteria: Master of Library Science, Master of Information Science, and Graduate Certificate in Information Architecture

SLIS invites students from all academic backgrounds to apply! SLIS at Indiana University has a strong commitment to academic and cultural diversity.

• What items are needed to apply?
• Tell me more about Reference Letters, Transcripts, and the Personal Goals Essay
• Are there additional requirements for international students?
• TOEFL and GRE details
• Are there any prerequisites?
• How do I apply to joint degree programs?
• What kind of educational background do I need?
• How many times a year does SLIS admit students?
• What are the application deadlines?
• What are the financial aid deadlines?
• Can I take courses as a Non-Degree student?
• Residence Classification Guidelines

What items are needed to apply?

U.S. Applications and Permanent Resident Applications

• Application: Apply Online
• Application Fee ($55)
• Original Transcripts
• 3 Letters of Reference
• Personal Goal Essay (minimum 500 words)
• GRE or GMAT scores - scores are not required, except:
  • if your undergraduate GPA was below 3.0
  • if your previous graduate GPA was below 3.2
  • if your first language is not English
  • if you want to make your application especially competitive for financial aid and admissions

International Student Applications

• Review SLIS International Admissions links first
• Application: Apply Online through International Admissions
• Application Fee ($65)
• Original Transcripts - mail to International Admissions for initial review
• 3 Letters of Reference
• Personal Goal Essay (minimum 500 words)
• TOEFL minimums needed: 100 (Internet-Based) - or 250 (Computer-Based) - or 600 (Paper-Based) tests.
• GRE (minimum v=500, q = 500, = 4.5) or GMAT (minimum 31 in each area)

Tell me more about Reference Letters, Transcripts,and the Personal Goals Essay:

Reference Letters need to be from professors or employers who are familiar with your abilities and can estimate how well you would do in a rigorous graduate program. Three reference letters are needed. Letters from professors who are familiar with your academic skills are preferred. Letters from employers and professionals who are familiar with your abilities and work habits are also acceptable.

We will take letters in any format, as long as contact information is included. Letters may be submitted by reccomenders using the online application system. Letters on letterhead can be sent. Letters that are sealed (with a signature over the seal) can be sent. All should come directly to SLIS Admissions (Indiana University, 1320 East 10th Street, LI 011, Bloomington, IN 47405-3907). We will also accept letters by email (slis@indiana.edu) or fax (812.855.6166) that include contact information.

Reference letters can be sent prior to application, and will be held in a preliminary file. Students may check with the SLIS office to confirm receipt of application items.

NOTE: If the recommender is not fluent in English, they should submit a letter in their language - plus a translation. Brief forms are not adequate for this admissions requirement.

Transcripts from every previous college attended should be sent directly from the institution to SLIS. (International students should follow the guidelines from International Admissions).

NOTE: Transcripts should not be sent to the Graduate School. That is a separate process for different IU departments. Also, only one copy of each transcript is needed.

If you completed less than 15 hours from a school, and if those courses are reflected on a final undergraduate transcript, you are not required to send that transcript. We can obtain transcripts of coursework completed at Indiana University at no charge. Transcripts can arrive before your application.

If you completed academic work outside the U.S. and are a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, please download the Supplemental Application for Admission and submit it to the Office of International Admissions for a review of your international transcripts. [form]

Personal Goals Essays are important. They need to be a minimum of 500 words in length, and should describe your academic and professional goals. Professional jobs in the field of library and information science value leadership, teamwork, creativity, and the ability to work with people. For your essay, think about why you want to come to graduate school in this field. Your writing skills demonstrated in this statement are also considered as part of the admission decision. Essays should be in your own words, and written with academic integrity.

Are there additional requirements for international students?

International students, and students whose first language is not English, are required to take the TOEFL and GRE (or GMAT) tests. In addition, all international students and students whose first language is not English, are required to take the IU English Proficiency Test to determine if any additional English coursework is needed. The test is given during the international orientation period offered before classes begin by the IU International Center. For more information, go to International Student Information.

If your first language is not English, but you have completed a bachelor's degree in the US, you can petition the SLIS Director of Admissions to waive the TOEFL test. The GRE test would still be needed. Questions can be directed to the SLIS Director of Admissions.

TOEFL and GRE details:

Note: The Bureau of Evaluative Studies and Testing (BEST) located in Franklin Hall M005 on the I.U. Bloomington campus offers the GRE, GMAT, and other tests. (812) 855-1595

Are there any prerequisites?

SLIS requires that students be computer, network, and information literate and be familiar with basic skills that will be used throughout your course work. This knowledge is prerequisite to many courses in the SLIS curriculum and will form the basis for further learning and skill development throughout the students' academic and professional careers.

To acquire this base, MLS students must complete the SLIS course S401 - Computer-Based Information Tools must be accomplished before completion of nine credit hours. S401 does not count toward the credit hours required for a SLIS graduate degree.

MIS students beginning Fall 2007 have new options to fulfill this skill set. See "Techology Literacy Requirement".

How do I apply to joint degree programs?

SLIS offers a number of dual-degree programs with other units. When applying to a dual-degree program, you need to submit separate applications to each department. The admissions processing for each area is handled separately. Students would follow the same process for pursuing concurrent, but separate, master's degrees at IU.

For SLIS specializations or certifications, application items are sent directly to SLIS for initial processing. For the SLIS dual MIS/MLS, you need to address your professional and academic goals for both degrees in your "Personal Goals Essay".

What kind of educational background do I need?

We admit students with a wide variety of academic backgrounds. Every academic discipline is being influenced by our field. Academic diversity among our students and faculty has led to creativity and innovation.

You do need to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. You do need to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. You do need a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in your undergraduate studies, and a minimum [of] 3.2 in [your major] and graduate degree work (if any). If you do not have this GPA, you can submit GRE (or GMAT) scores - and an additional statement regarding your academic record.

SLIS welcomes students from all backgrounds. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on such characteristics as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

How many times a year does SLIS admit students?

Students are admitted to SLIS for the fall, spring, and second summer sessions.

What are the application deadlines?

Applications are processed on a rolling basis. Priority deadlines for students not applying for SLIS financial aid packages are May 15 for the fall semester, November 1 for the spring semester, and March 15 to begin the second summer session. We do accept applications beyond these dates.

International students should allow a minimum of six months processing prior to their anticipated start date. The priority deadline for summer or fall admission is December 1. International applications should be submitted to the IU Office of International Admissions - that office then routes the application to SLIS.

What are the financial aid deadlines?

January 15 is the deadline to apply for SLIS Financial Aid packages. Students must have a completed application with SLIS by this date. International students should allow eight weeks of processing time (or more) with the IU Office of International Admissions. About 10% of our students receive SLIS aid packages. These merit-based packages are highly competitive.

Loans are a separate process handled by the IU Office of Student Financial Assistance. Students are encouraged, if possible, to keep loans to a minimum.

Other scholarships are available to SLIS students. We continue to add links to our SLIS Aid Information pages for a variety of sources. A number of SLIS students have also been able to obtain fee remission packages with other departments on campus. The SLIS Student Employment section offers some links to positions that include fee remission (check regularly). SLIS students are valued employees on campus - and there are many opportunities for part-time professional experiences (and internships).

Can I take courses as a Non-Degree student?

You can register as a SLIS Graduate Non-Degree student for the S401 - Computer-Based Information Tools prerequisite course, plus up to six credit hours of graduate coursework - prior to admission - that, if admitted, would count towards your degree. Contact our SLIS Admissions Office for details.