Application Process

Before you Apply

You may test the waters by taking upto 9 hours of SISLT coursework, but keep in mind:

  • Taking courses prior to applying does not guarantee admission
  • Be sure to take courses that will be included in your Program of Study – check with the Student Coordinator Office before enrolling
  • No more than 9 hours will count towards your degree before you are offically accepted into the program

Deadlines

  • Applications due April 1st for fall admission, October 1st for the spring
  • All application materials, including GRE scores, must be received by the deadlines in order to be considered for admission.
  • Any application that is not complete by the application deadline will not be considered for admission at that time. Instead, the application will be held until the following application deadline.
  • If accepted, you will receive admissions letters from the Graduate School and from SISLT

Required admission application materials

  1. onlineOnline Application to the MU Graduate School

    • Please insure that your Graduate School application is submitted to the Graduate School at least 10 days prior to our program’s deadline.

    • Resume

      …demonstrating high potential for success in the Library and Information Science field

    • Statement of Purpose

      …answering three questions (in 500 words or less): Why do you want to earn a master’s degree in Library and Information Science? What areas of Library and Information Science interest you; do you anticipate working in a particular type of library or information agency?

    • Letters of Recommendation

      …should attest to your critical thinking, analytical and writing skills, demonstrating your potential as a graduate student and professional.

  2. mail Supporting Documentation for MU

    MU Graduate School 210 Jesse Hall, Columbia, MO 65211

    • All Official College Transcripts – the MU Graduate School requires an official copy of transcripts. You need to contact your institution for the transcript and have it mailed to the MU Graduate School.
    • Insure that your transcripts are delivered to the Graduate School at least 10 days prior to our deadline.

  3. mail Supporting Documentation for SISLT

    SISLT Student Coordinator’s Office 304 Townsend Hall, Columbia, MO 65211

    • Official GRE scores (MU code: 6875, SISLT: 4701)
    • Spring 2012 applicants: Please note that starting August 1, 2011, the GRE revised General Test will replace the current GRE General Test. During the initial few months of offering the revised exam (August through mid-November 2011), ETS will not be reporting test scores. Therefore, in order to have your GRE scores to us by our October 1 deadline, you must take the current GRE General Test by July 31. More information on the revised GRE General Test is available online at http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/know.
    • Official TOEFL scores (if applicable) (MU code: 6875, SISLT: 90)

Minimum acceptance requirements

  • GRE Scores
  • Taken after August 2011: scores of 156 Verbal, 146 Quantitative, 4.0 Writing.
  • Taken prior to August 2011: scores of 550 Verbal and Quantitative, 4.0 Writing; or a minimum combined score of 1100 and a minimum of 4.0 on the Analytical Writing section of the GRE. (The average GRE scores for students admitted in Fall 2011 was 580 Verbal, 572 Quantitative and 4.16 Written Analytical.)
    The GRE is a norm-referenced test, and is a major factor considered for admission. Study guides and practice tests are available in many public libraries.
  • GPA of 3.0 (4.0 Scale) in last 60 hours of undergraduate education (The average GPA for students admitted in Fall 2011 was 3.54.)

LIS Policy