Admissions Information - Master’s in Library & Information Science

All items for Fall 2008 MLIS applications must be received or postmarked by December 15, 2007.

Application for admission must be made in compliance with procedures established by the UCLA Graduate Division. They are provided by the UCLA Application for Graduate Admission. See also Admissions - Steps for Applying.

Admission to a graduate program requires that applicants hold a baccalaureate university degree and, in addition, have at the minimum achieved a “B” (3.0 grade point average) or its equivalent in the last 60 semester units or last 90-quarter units of undergraduate work.

Applicants must submit two copies of official transcripts from all academic institutions attended beyond secondary school, a statement of purpose, a résumé, and three letters of recommendation. Applicants will be contacted if the admissions committee wishes to arrange an interview.

Applicants whose native language is not English must certify their proficiency in English by submitting scores from The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Written English (TWE) [University code: 4837, Department code: 90] or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The minimum established score on the TOEFL, according to Graduate Division, is the paper and pencil result of 560 or higher or a computer-based test of 220 or higher. On the IELTS an Overall Band score of at least 7.0 is the minimum required. Only those applicants who hold a bachelor’s or higher degree from a university in a country where the official language is English and in which English is the spoken tongue and the medium of instruction, or who have completed at least two years of full-time study at such an institution will be exempted.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores from within the last five years are required of all applicants. The one exception is for those MLIS applicants who hold the PhD degree. Be sure to schedule the examination and to have the scores forwarded to the Department by the application deadline. Computerized testing, now available at numerous locations throughout the U.S., is offered year-round, three days a week. See GRE: Graduate Record Examinations Information [University code: 4837, Department code: 4701].

IS Vision Statement

The Department of Information Studies defines, studies, and evaluates interactions among people, information and information technology in a pluralistic society. The Department values and promotes equity, diversity, accountability and intellectual openness.

The Department integrates wide-ranging scholarly, professional, technological and institutional perspectives in its teaching, research and public service. Across each of these activities, the Department engages with and is driven by real world information issues and community and institutional needs. The Department also promotes the essential role played by information institutions such as libraries and archives as social, cultural, educational, and intellectual centers in our society.

In particular, we examine and encourage:

The design of information systems and services for individuals, communities, cultures, disciplines and literacies;
The creation, preservation, documentation and curation of information in all media and settings;
Access to information, in all its manifestations, that empowers and enfranchises individuals and communities in and over time; and
The framing of ongoing policy and institutional dialogue related to the social and intellectual implications of a global information society.

MLIS Requirements

Students are admitted to the program only during the fall quarter. As indicated above, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree, or equivalent, from an institution of recognized standing. The department also requires a statement of purpose, résumé, and letters of recommendation.

Write the statement of purpose carefully. The UCLA Department of Information Studies offers a very rich and distinctive environment in which to pursue your graduate education. In writing your statement, please consider the vision of the Department and indicate why you believe that this program and its areas of specialization are a good match for your particular background, experience, outlook professional interests, and personal passions and aspirations. Your statement should also include any additional information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and your aptitude for graduate study in the Department.

In addition, the Department requires satisfaction of the following entrance requirements:

A college-level course in statistics (three semester units or four quarter units) taken within the last five years with a minimum grade of “C”. The course must have covered descriptive and inferential statistics.
A computer programming requirement, met by completing either a college‑level course (three semester units or four quarter units) taken within the last five years, with a minimum grade of “C”. Most standard languages, such as C++, PASCAL, Java, or Perl are acceptable. At least one third of the course grade should be based on programming assignments.

- OR -

The Department offers the Intensive Technology Workshop that provides introductory hands-on training the skills required for first year courses and in the hardware and software environment in which students will be working throughout their degree program. The one-week course is typically offered, to incoming students only, just prior to the start of fall quarter. Space is limited and applicants should not expect that a space will be guaranteed. Contact the Office of Student Services for more information.

Entrance requirements should be completed before beginning the MLIS program. However, one requirement may be satisfied in the fall quarter of the student’s first year. Failure to complete both requirements by the end of the first quarter will result in a recommendation of termination of student status. Please note that fulfilling these requirements may require an overload in the first quarter of the first year or a longer time to degree.

MLIS Application Submission Checklist - printable checklist (pdf)

We prefer that the following be sent in one package to the Student Affairs Office, Information Studies, 102B GSE&IS Bldg., Box 951520, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1520:

Two copies of official transcripts from academic institutions you have attended beyond secondary school. Must be sent in sealed envelopes either directly or with the rest of the materials.
Supplementary information, if applicable. The form is available under Supplementary Forms at the OnLine Graduate Admission site.
Statement of purpose - use form (on the UCLA application site under supplementary forms). You may word process this form. Your statement may be longer than the space allowed.
Résumé/CV
Three letters of recommendation - use forms provided on the UCLA application online application under supplementary forms. Recommenders often write their letter on their own letterhead and attach to the form. Letters may be sent directly to the department or collected in sealed envelopes and sent with the rest of the application materials.
Cross reference sheet (on the UCLA application site under supplementary application) if applicable.
Fellowship application (at the online UCLA application site).
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for all applicants. You are responsible for arranging to take this examination and having official scores sent to the department. Scores from tests taken more than five years ago are not acceptable.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of Written English (TWE) scores. The TOEFL/TWE are required of all applicants whose native language is not English; note exception stated above under MLIS degree. You are responsible for arranging to take these examinations and having official scores sent to IS.
International applicants must submit a Confidential Financial Statement with other required items.

Application Procedures and Deadlines

Note: Applicants not meeting the required grade point average of 3.0 (“B”) may be recommended for provisional admission to the Graduate Division in exceptional cases if GRE scores, letters of recommendation, work experience, or other factors indicate unusual promise.

The Graduate Division honors the IS deadlines indicated below. Only admitted applicants are considered for University fellowships.

All items for 2007–08 applications must be received or postmarked by the dates noted below.

Entering Term/Program: FALL 2008	Deadline for submission of Application Packages	Test Date Deadline*
PhD	December 15, 2007 (admissions and fellowships)	December 1, 2007 (GRE); November 2007 (TOEFL/TWE)
MLIS	December 15, 2007 (admissions and fellowships)	December 1, 2007 (GRE); November 2007 (TOEFL/TWE)
Post-Master’s	October 1, 2007 (winter 2008) December 31, 2007 (spring 2008) January 15, 2008 (fall 2008)	If appropriate

Graduate Admissions, 1255 Murphy Hall, Box 951428, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1428, only accepts electronic applications. Applicants can apply electronically by accessing the UCLA Graduate Division website. Supplementary forms are available at that same site for the statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and ordering official transcripts.

Special Instructions for Applicants to Cooperative Degree Programs

MLIS./M.A.- Latin American Studies - File one UCLA application (part A), indicating the appropriate program code: M.A. -Latin American Studies/MLIS (CAA). All supporting materials (transcripts, test scores, statement of purpose, etc.) should be sent to both IS and the other department. Adhere to Latin American Studies (December 15) application deadline.
MLIS/M.B.A. - File the John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management (AGSM) application for admission indicating the program codes (ABA). Submit a copy of the application to IS. All supporting materials (transcripts, test scores, statement of purpose, etc.) should be sent to both IS and AGSM. The GRE is not required for this program; the results of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) are used in making admissions decisions.

Contact the GSE&IS Office of Student Services at (310) 825-5269 if you have questions about application procedures. Check the status of your application at the Graduate Admissions website. All documents received by the department will be entered at that site as soon as possible. Decisions will also be posted at the Graduate Division site.

Information and program descriptions are available in the Department of Information Studies Student Handbook.

Updated: 2/21/08