UW-Madison SLIS Application Materials

Here are the application forms for admission to the degree and non-degree programs offered by the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Library and Information Studies.

Most forms are in Adobe Reader (.pdf) format. If you need this free software, follow this link:

Your application to SLIS must be PRINTED and MAILED to:

School of Library and Information Studies
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Room 4217 Helen C. White Hall
600 N. Park Street, Madison, WI 53706
Phone: (608) 263-2900
Fax: (608) 263-4849
Email: uw-slis@slis.wisc.edu

For students wishing to pursue a Master's degree, Application is a two-part process. Students must also apply to UW-Madison's Graduate School (see links below).

UW-Madison SLIS Application Materials for the ALA Accredited Master's degree.

Application Form (.pdf)
Application form for PALS (.pdf) **
Computer Competency Policy (.pdf)
Computer Competency Statement (.pdf)
Financial Aid Information
Program Planning Guide: M.A. Degree Program
Reference letter instructions
Scholarship consideration form
More information about SLIS Scholarship Funds
Letter to International Applicants (.pdf)
Library Employment Outlook (.pdf)

You must also apply to the UW-Madison Graduate School. See the following links to help you do so:

Links to UW-Madison Graduate School Admissions

Graduate School Admissions Web site
http://info.gradsch.wisc.edu/admin/admissions/index.html
Graduate School Application
https://www.gradsch.wisc.edu/eapp/eapp.pl
Admissions checklist
http://info.gradsch.wisc.edu/admin/admissions/gschecklist.html

UW-Madison SLIS Application Materials for the PhD

Application for the PhD program (.pdf)
Financial Aid Information
PhD Program Planning Guide (.pdf, 41 pages)
Reference letter instructions
Letter to PhD Applicants (.pdf)
Letter to International PhD Applicants (.pdf)
Doctoral minor in Children's Literature (.pdf)
Doctoral Minor in Print Culture History with the Center for the History of Print Culture in Modern America (CHPCMA)

University Special Student Application Materials

If you are not currently enrolled in a UW-Madison degree program, but you wish to take UW-Madison credit courses for credit, apply as a University Special Student. For Library and Information Studies (LIS) courses, this is a two-part process.

First, apply online to the UW-Madison Division of Continuing Studies. Select the UNRS classification and then follow the instructions to Apply / Enroll as a University special student.

Next, complete the SLIS University Special Student Course Authorization Form and return it to SLIS per the instructions on the form.

Consult the online timetable to determine course availability and prerequisites. You are eligible to take any LIS course for which you meet the prerequisites. Because LIS 450 provides an overview of the field of library and information studies, many University Special Students choose this as their first course.

If you are admitted to a SLIS degree program, you may be eligible to apply 9 credits taken as a University Special Student toward the SLIS degree program, provided you completed the credits within five years of beginning the degree program, earned a grade of B or better and did not use the credits to count toward another university degree.

For tuition and fee information, consult the Office of the Registrar.

UW-Madison SLIS Application Materials for the Specialist Certificate

Application for the Specialist Certificate (.pdf)
Reference letter instructions (.pdf)
Specialist Certificate Program information (.pdf)
Statement of Faculty Policy and Guidelines (.pdf)
Faculty Research Interests and Completed Specialist Certificates (.pdf)

For more admissions information, please email:
Andrea Poehling, Student Services Coordinator, student-services@slis.wisc.edu
Diana Bobb, Student Records Manager, dmbobb@wisc.edu


**Application form for a special distance masters' degree for members of PALS - Prairie Area Library System. Contact Debra Shapiro for more information.