2004-06 IUPUI Campus Bulletin

Admission to Graduate Programs

Application Procedures for U.S. Citizens

A packet of application materials for the Master's or Specialist Degree Programs may be obtained from

School of Library and Information Science
Administrative Office
IUPUI
University Library 1110C
755 W. Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5195
(317) 278-2376
callison@indiana.edu Application packets for both Indianapolis and Bloomington programs may be requested online. Please be sure to request the application packet for the appropriate degree program-Master of Library Science or Specialist. All applications must be submitted to the SLIS Admissions Office in Indianapolis.

School of Library and Information Science Web site

Application to SLIS graduate programs requires a minimum of the following (additional requirements may be found under listings for individual degrees):

1. Completed application forms.
2. Three letters of recommendation that address the applicant's academic and professional capabilities should be submitted on letterhead and sent directly from the referring party to the SLIS admissions office in Indianapolis. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that letters of recommendation reach the admissions office by deadline dates.
3. A personal essay explaining academic and career objectives (minimum 500 words).
4. Official transcripts from each college attended (except Indiana University transcripts, which the school can obtain from the IU registrar's online system). From all other colleges and universities, applicants should arrange to have transcripts sent directly to SLIS.
5. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for master's degree program applicants whose grade point average (GPA) in undergraduate college work is not at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or whose GPA on work completed for a previous graduate degree is not 3.2 or higher. Master's program applicants are advised that GRE scores, if provided, will be taken into account in the competitive admissions process and awarding of departmental financial aid. The test must have been taken within three years before application. GRE information and application forms may be obtained from the Educational Testing Service
   P.O. Box 6000
   Princeton, NJ 08541-6000 Scores are available about six weeks after the test is taken. It is the responsibility of the applicant to take the GRE test at such a time as will allow scores to arrive at the admissions office to meet all school deadlines.
6. An application fee. A check or money order must be sent directly to the bursar's office in the addressed envelope provided in the application packet.
7. Some programs have application requirements in addition to those listed above. For further information, see admission requirements for the degree in which you are interested.

When completed application forms are received, an applicant's individual file is established, and other elements of the application are added to the file as they are received. It is important that applicants send the completed application as early as possible. Admission, once granted, is good for a period of one year; however, such extended admission cannot be guaranteed unless the admitted student informs the school of intent to matriculate at a later date. Files of admitted students who neither matriculate nor request an extension may be purged soon after the beginning of the semester for which admission was granted. An individual may check on the status of an application file or request an extension to a later consideration date by calling SLIS at (317) 278-2375 or toll free within the United States at (888) 335-SLIS.

Application Deadlines for U.S. Citizens

Applications will not be acted upon until all required documents have been received. Ordinarily applications for master's and specialist degrees are processed within one month of their completion. In order to allow time for degree processing and financial aid decisions, applicants must meet the following deadlines:

For matriculation in:	Fall	Spring	Summer
Applying for SLIS financial aid:	Jan. 15	Oct. 1	N/A
Not applying for SLIS financial aid:	May 15	Nov. 1	Mar. 15

Applicants who complete the financial aid form included with the SLIS application packet and who have a completed file by the financial aid deadlines given above will be considered for all aid for which they are eligible that is offered directly by the school. Financial aid opportunities from SLIS are detailed elsewhere in this bulletin. For information on financial aid not directly funded by SLIS, applicants to the Indianapolis program should contact:

Office of Student Financial Aid Services
IUPUI
Cavanaugh Hall 103
425 N. University Blvd.
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5140
(317) 278-4723
finaid5@iupui.edu

Application Procedures for International Students

International applicants to SLIS programs in Indianapolis may obtain application materials from

School of Library and Information Science
Administrative Office
IUPUI
University Library 1110C
755 W. Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5195
(317) 278-2376
callison@indiana.edu Please be sure to request the application packet for the appropriate degree program-Master of Library Science or Specialist. International students and permanent residents attending IUPUI need to return completed forms and all supporting materials to Office of International Affairs
IUPUI
Union Building 207
620 Union Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5167
(317) 274-7294
intlaff@iupui.edu Payment of an application fee is required.

Application packets for both Indianapolis and Bloomington programs may be requested online.

All international applicants for any SLIS degree program-Master's or Specialist-must submit a recent official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General (aptitude) Test score report from the Educational Testing Service. The test must have been taken within three years before application. Scores on all three sections (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) will be considered. A minimum combined score of 1500 is required for an application to be processed further. The Educational Testing Service provides GRE information and application forms. Materials are available from the

Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6000
Princeton, NJ
08541-6000 Scores are available about six weeks after the test is taken. It is the responsibility of the applicant to take the GRE test at a time that will allow scores to arrive at the SLIS admissions office to meet all school deadlines.

International applicants whose first language is not English must submit recent official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum TOEFL score of 600 is required for admission to SLIS graduate programs. The Educational Testing Service administers the TOEFL once each month at locations throughout the world. Information about TOEFL administration schedules may be obtained from the Educational Testing Service at the address given with GRE information above.

Students whose first language is not English must also take an English language placement test upon arrival at Indiana University. The results of this test are used to determine what, if any, remedial English courses must be successfully completed before graduate study begins. International students should understand that all admissions are granted conditionally, upon verification of English language proficiency, and that enrollment in graduate course work is not permitted, or is limited, until all language deficiencies have been removed.

Additional Indianapolis campus information for international applicants can be found at the IUPUI Office of International Affairs.

Application Deadlines for International Students

The SLIS admissions office will not act upon applications until all required documents have been received (including transcripts, letters of recommendation, application fee, and GRE and TOEFL test scores as required). Ordinarily, applications for master's and specialist degrees are processed within one month of being completed and received at SLIS from the Office of International Admissions. International applicants must comply with the deadline dates indicated in international application materials.

Admission Criteria

Master of Library Science Degree Program

Students holding a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year collegiate institution are eligible to apply for admission. Applicants in the final year of their undergraduate program may apply and be granted admission conditional upon their being awarded the bachelor's degree.

An applicant must have a minimum grade point average 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. The SLIS admissions committee makes individual judgments about the rigor of grading in the undergraduate or graduate course work presented and about the relative significance of course work completed at various times in an applicant's academic history. Students who do not meet the SLIS cumulative grade point average requirements may submit GRE scores for consideration. GRE scores of at least 1500 (500 in each area) are required. Students may also address circumstances of low academic performance in an attachment to their application.

A substantial number of credit hours of appropriate content-based course work must be included in the overall undergraduate and graduate course work previously completed. This appropriate background includes, but is not limited to, course work in the humanities and the social, biological, and physical sciences. If an applicant is judged deficient in background preparation, additional course work may be required to remove the deficiency. Such additional course work may be at the undergraduate or graduate level, but it will not in any case count toward the credit hour requirements for the SLIS degree. Letters of recommendation should be submitted by three individuals who are familiar with the applicant's academic abilities. Letters from employers and information professionals who are familiar with the applicant's intellectual abilities and work habits are also acceptable.

A personal goals essay of at least 500 words is required (see M.L.S. application). The essay must indicate a student's academic and professional goals appropriate to the desired SLIS degree program. The writing skills indicated in this statement are also considered as part of the admission decision.

We welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Indiana University prohibits admission decisions being made on the basis of arbitrary consideration of such characteristics as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Matriculation Applicants may enter SLIS master's degree programs at the beginning of fall semester, spring semester, and the second summer session.

Admission Categories

Admission-A student's full admission status is valid for one year, with an additional year available upon petition. If an admitted student fails to matriculate within the allowed time, the admission status is terminated, and the student must reapply.

Probationary Admission-The SLIS Admissions Committee may grant probationary admission to a student who fails to meet one or more of the admission requirements listed above, if, in the judgment of the committee members, there is sufficient other evidence of probable success in the degree program. Probationary admission carries a requirement that the student maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 throughout the program. Other conditions of the probationary admission, if any, will be stated in the admission letter. The student's progress will be monitored throughout the program to ensure that the conditions are maintained. If, at any time in the program, the student does not meet the conditions of the probation, admission will be terminated.

Applicants who are denied admission to a SLIS graduate program may not take course work in SLIS without the permission of the dean of the school.

SLIS Non-Degree Student Status-Students with an undergraduate degree may be permitted to take up to 6 credit hours of SLIS graduate course work prior to admission that could count towards their degree if admitted. Nondegree students must complete all necessary prerequisites before taking any course. Nondegree students may be removed from any SLIS course if their place is required for an admitted degree-seeking student. SLIS L401 is a prerequisite course to our degree programs, and does not count towards the credits for the degrees offered. Undergraduate and nondegree students may take SLIS L401.

Auditing-There are few SLIS courses available for auditing. Auditing is to be limited to nonparticipating courses. Lab-based courses may not be audited. Students who wish to audit a course must obtain written permission from the instructor. A student is not permitted to audit courses without registering as an auditor and paying the current fee for auditing.

Advising

Upon admission, each student is assigned an official faculty advisor whose name is given in the admission letter. Students should meet with their faculty advisors to discuss academic course planning and professional goals. Advisor signatures are also required for various approval forms. Students should carefully plan their course selections, noting appropriate prerequisites and required sequences. The SLIS Web site offers projected long-range course schedules. In addition to the assigned initial faculty advisor, students may consult with any member of the faculty for professional and career guidance.