Admissions

Criteria for Admission | Specialist Program | Doctoral Program | Other Criteria

Criteria for admission
Applications for admission are accepted for the fall semester only. All applications are reviewed on an individual basis. No single admission criterion is the determining factor; the materials are reviewed as a whole. Applicants should refer to the Graduate School minimum admission requirements at http://info.gradsch.wisc.edu/admin/admissions/requirements.html. International students must meet Graduate School language and degree requirements.

Applicants are judged primarily on indicators of their academic abilities. For this reason, two of the three required letters of reference must be academic references, i.e., people who can attest to the applicant's ability to succeed in a graduate-level program. (For applicants whose last educational work was more than ten years ago, or where academic references pose a significant problem, contact the Admissions and Placement Adviser for alternatives.) In addition to academic qualifications, professional promise is also an important criterion. An application is considered complete only after all three letters have been received. Under the terms of the Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the applicant may review letters unless a signed waiver of this right of review is attached. The school may request a personal interview with an applicant.

An undergraduate program that includes breadth in liberal arts and sciences, with a strong subject specialization in a major discipline (science, history, literature, etc.), an applied science (engineering, computer science, business administration, etc.), or a profession (law, education, etc.) is required. Approximately 90 semester credits in liberal arts and sciences, including a major, are normally required. Undergraduate credits in library and information studies should notbe so extensive as to dilute the liberal arts component of the bachelor's degree. Prospective students who have questions regarding their eligibility for admissions may contact the school's admissions office.

Competencies in the use of microcomputers facilitate a student's studies in library and information studies. Therefore, applicants must demonstrate familiarity with word processing, spreadsheets, electronic mail, and database (or file) management software packages at the time of admission. (Students may be admitted with a deficiency in this area but must remove it before the end of their first full-time semester.)

Foreign language skills are essential in some areas of information work. Students interested in careers in academic and research libraries should include language study in their background.

Practical work in an information agency before entering the school is useful, but not required. Such experience tests a candidate's aptitude for and interest in this work, and provides some knowledge of terminology and familiarity with information handling processes.

No foundation courses are offered in the summer; summer session courses are electives, specialized, and advanced level. No correspondence courses for graduate credit in library and information studies are offered by the school, and no credit earned in correspondence courses offered by other institutions will be accepted toward degree requirements.

top

Admission to Specialist Program
Applicants must hold a master's degree in library and information studies and should have experience following the professional degree before entering the Specialist Certificate Program. Professional promise in the area of specialization must be demonstrated. The application for admission must be submitted to the School of Library and Information Studies and to the Graduate School. A statement of professional interest and reasons for wishing to enter the program must accompany the application. The applicant's qualifications for admission will be reviewed by the advanced studies committee, which makes a recommendation on admission to the director. Consideration is given to the applicant's stated goals and potential for successful completion of the program.

top

Admission to the Doctoral Program
The School of Library and Information Studies requires a GPA of 3.0 or better in the last 60 hours of academic credit earned; a detailed written statement of the area of research interest and the purpose for pursuing doctoral study; and a personal interview with the Advanced Studies Committee or other faculty members serving on the committee's behalf.

top

Other Criteria
Applicants whose GPA falls below the required level must provide other evidence of academic ability. (Advice on the type of evidence appropriate to the applicant should be requested from the administrator of the doctoral program.) A master of library science or equivalent degree and professional experience will be useful preparation for the programs of most doctoral students in the school. Applicant qualifications for admission will be reviewed by the school's advanced studies committee, which will make an admissions recommendation to the director who, in turn, makes a recommendation to the Graduate School. The criteria used in this review are the probability that the school's doctoral program will meet the goals of the applicant, and that the applicant will be able to complete the program successfully. Under certain circumstances, admission may be approved on a probationary basis or with deficiencies. Students will not normally be permitted to continue longer than the first year on probation.

top

For more information, please contact: School of Library and Information Studies, 4217 Helen C. White Hall, 600 North Park Street, Madison, WI 53706; 608/263-2900; fax 608/263-4849; uw-slis@slis.wisc.edu. See also Forms & Procedures.