Admission Requirements
The Department of Library and Information Science welcomes applications from individuals interested in entering the library and information professions. Applicants to the Indianapolis program bring a range of backgrounds to their graduate education, through both their prior education and work experience. Applications from those who have been in the work force and from recent graduates are equally desirable.
Bachelor’s Degree Students holding a bachelor’s degree from regionally accredited four-year collegiate institutions are eligible to apply for admission. Applicants in the final year of their undergraduate program may apply and be granted admission conditional upon being awarded the bachelor’s degree.
An applicant must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent in the total undergraduate program, or an average of 3.2 in the latest graduate degree or representative graduate hours (usually 30 semester hours) completed.
If the applicant does not meet the minimum undergraduate (or graduate) GPA requirements, he or she must submit Graduate Record Exam scores.
GRE Revised Test (Nov.2011) – Initial GRE scoring conversion charts are available. These charts may be updated as more student test data is collected by the GRE board.
LIS looks at the whole application in making an admissions decision. The following scores will be considered to have met the minimum required – V: 153, Q: 144, and AW (not decided at this time).
How to Apply
The Graduate Admissions Committee will not review applications until the application fee and all required materials are completed and received by the deadlines indicated.
Have transcripts sent directly to:
Department of Library and Information Science
Indiana University School of Informatics and Computing
535 West Michigan Street, IT 475
Indianapolis, IN 46202
- Complete and submit the IUPUI Graduate Online Application form. Paper applications are not accepted.
- Submit a 750 – 1500 word personal statement. Your personal statement should indicate the following:
- In what manner do you see yourself as a future library/information leader in your future organization and community?
- What examples can you provide that illustrate how you work as a constructive member of a team to solve problems?
- Provide your perspective on or experiences with technology in information services.
- Submit official transcripts from all post-secondary colleges and universities (graduate and undergraduate), except for Indiana University campuses.
- Submit three references from academic instructors and/or employers. To submit references, you will input contact information for each person on your electronic application. The reference will receive a form via email to fill out and submit electronically.
- If necessary, complete the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and ensure that IUPUI receives your score report. The IUPUI and MLS program codes are listed above. The Informatics and Computing school code for the GRE is 1325 – enter this code on the exam’s answer sheets.
- For international and non-native English speaking students, submit English language proficiency exam score (see below).
- Pay your $60 application fee.
Special Instructions for International Students and Non-native English Speakers
Graduate applicants are expected to have completed the equivalent of a U.S. Bachelor’s degree in order to be considered for graduate study, such as:
1. Have completed at least 16 years of primary+secondary+tertiary education and have earned a university first degree, or
2. Have completed a university first degree that grants eligibility for graduate study in a recognized university in that same country.
Persons without this background cannot be accepted for graduate study, regardless of the name of any first degree they may hold.
Once minimum eligibility is determined, Indiana University graduate programs will make the final admissions decision, based on reviewing the applicant’s educational credentials to determine if the applicant is academically competitive and has the preparation needed for success in that program. The Office of International Affairs at IUPUI will provide evaluations of the applicant’s educational background and academic documents upon request from the departments.
International applicants must submit both GRE and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores. To gain admission, international applicants must earn minimum scores in the table below.
TOEFL and GRE details:
- TOEFL – TOEFL minimum 600 (Paper test) or 250 (Computer test) or 100 (new test Fall 2005)
- TOEFL – IU Institutional Code: 1325;
International applicants must comply with the deadline dates indicated in Office of International Affairs Web site at www.iupui.edu/~oia.