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Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Graduate School of Library and Information Science is open to individuals who hold a bachelor's degree and who demonstrate a capacity for graduate work and professional aptitude as demonstrated by their academic history, life experience and letters of recommendation.

Admission of International Students

In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission, applicants who were educated outside of the United States may be asked to have official credential evaluations completed by ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.) or other approved agency at their own expense. International students requiring an I-20 form for the F-1 student visa must show evidence of sufficient funds to cover a full year of tuition, fees and living expenses including:

• housing costs, whether room and board in university residence halls or off-campus housing;
• medical insurance, whether obtained in the home country or in the United States, or purchased through the university;
• books and personal items; and
• support during such times when the university is not in session.

Dominican University will assume no liability for any expense incurred by international students.

Application Process

Application for Admission forms may be downloaded from Dominican University’s Web site: www.gslis.dom.edu. Forms are also available by contacting the GSLIS admission office by email at gslis@dom.edu or by phone at (708) 524-6845. Applications must meet all academic requirements for admission in full before applying to the graduate program; however, baccalaureate degree candidates may apply as soon as they receive their grades from the first semester of their senior year. Admission decisions are announced on a rolling basis.

The application to MLIS consists of:

• a completed Application for Admission form;
• a personal essay of at least 500 words that addresses the applicant’s decision to pursue the master’s degree and his/her expectations of the program;
• two completed recommendation forms and letters of recommendation from individuals—managers, supervisors, professors or academic advisors—who can attest to the applicant’s scholastic ability and professional promise. Personal or peer references will not be accepted;
• official copies of all transcripts from each university or college from which credits were applied towards your baccalaureate degree are required. Additionally, transcripts recording masters, doctoral or professional degrees may be submitted but are not required. Please request that the registrar(s) return the transcripts to you sealed in an envelope, signed across the seal.
• scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) if the applicant does not meet the undergraduate cumulative performance requirement of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. A combined score of 1,000 on two portions of the GRE and a 3.5 or higher on the analytical writing section, or a score of 404 on the MAT is necessary for admission. All applicants will have a maximum of three opportunities to submit test scores.  When an applicant has earned a graduate degree, such as a master’s degree in a discipline other than library and information science or a PhD, MD, JD, etc. from an accredited institution, the admission committee will consider the GPA for the advanced degree in the overall admissions process;
• scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if the applicant is an international student. A minimum Internet-based score of 83, computer score of 220 or 560 paper score on the TOEFL is required; and
• a non-refundable application fee of $25. Application fee is waived for graduates of Dominican University.

Application Dates

Early application prior to the dates listed below is strongly encouraged. Late application will be accepted if space allows:

Application dates:

Fall term: June 1
Spring term: October 1
Summer term: March 1

The applicant’s complete file is reviewed by the admission committee, which evaluates the applicant’s background, qualifications and academic potential. Only complete application files will be reviewed. No credentials will be returned to the applicant.

All application materials become the property of Dominican University. Providing incomplete or inaccurate information regarding a previous academic record on an admission application is grounds for denial of admission.

Admitted students may defer their enrollment for a maximum of one year. Admitted student files will be kept for one year after date of admission. Thereafter, he/she must reapply, as must an applicant who withdraws his/her application after it has been submitted.

Transfer of Credit

A maximum of six semester hours in library and information science earned at another ALA-accredited program may be accepted for transfer into the GSLIS program. Students must request this in writing to the dean when they apply for admission. Acceptance of  transfer credit is based on the following conditions and will be reviewed by the dean:

• the credits were earned in a program accredited by the American Library Association regardless of the format or location of delivery;
• the credits were earned with a grade of B or better; and
• the credits were earned within the past five years.

A decision on whether to grant a transfer of credit will be made as soon as possible after the request is received and no later than the first term during which the student is enrolled.

Continuing Education

Librarians or information specialists who possess an MLIS or master’s degree from an equivalent program accredited by the American Library Association and wish to pursue a post-MLIS course of study such as the Illinois Special (K-12) Certificate (Type 10) in the concentration area of library information specialist, master’s in knowledge management or certificate of special study may be admitted using an abbreviated admission process.

Post-MLIS applicants meeting the following criteria are eligible for the abbreviated application process:

• candidates hold an MLIS from Dominican University or an MLIS or master's degree from an equivalent program acreddit4ed by the American Library Association;
• candidates have graduated with a 3.0 GPA from the MLIS or equivalent master's degree program; or
• candidates have earned an MLIS degree and are seeking the Illinois Special (K-12); and Certificate (Type 10) in the concentration area of library and information specialist or a library and information specialist endorsement, master's degree in knowledge management, or are seeking a certificate of special study.

Continuing Education Application Process

Post-MLIS applicants holding the MLIS or MLIS equivalent degree granted within the past five years are required to submit the following:

• completed GSLIS Application for Admission (Application forms may be downloaded from Dominican University’s Web site: www.gslis.dom.edu. Forms are also available by contacting the GSLIS Admission Office by email at gslis@dom.edu or by phone at (708) 524-6845;
• $25 non-refundable application fee if required. Applicants with an MLIS from another ALA-accredited institution must include a $25 non-refundable application fee. The application fee is waived for alumnae/i from Dominican University GSLIS;
• transcripts of MLIS degree as required. Dominican University MLIS graduates do not need to provide transcripts. MLIS transcripts will be verified by GSLIS administration. Graduates of other ALA-accredited institutions must provide an official transcript of their MLIS degree AND the official transcripts from the baccalaureate degree; and
• personal essay of at least 500 words in length addressing the decision to pursue the post-MLIS course of study and the professional and academic goals to be achieved while at Dominican University;

Post-MLIS applicants holding the MLIS or master’s degree from an equivalent ALA-accredited program granted more than five years ago from either Dominican or another institution, are also required to submit the following documents in addition to official transcripts from the baccalaureate degree, MLIS degree and a personal essay: two recommendation forms and letters of recommendation from professional or academic sources. (Recommendation forms are included in the Application for Admission.)

SPECIAL STUDENTS
Students-at-large

The graduate student-at-large program offers certain individuals who do not intend to pursue a degree or certificate the opportunity to enroll in GSLIS classes without completing the regular admissions process. Individuals may take courses as a graduate student-at-large without applying for regular admission under the following conditions:

• The individual holds a master’s degree in library and information science from a graduate program accredited by the American Library Association
• The individual is currently a student pursuing a master’s degree in library and information science from a graduate program accredited by the American Library Association, and wishes to take courses for transfer credit.

Other individuals, such as those holding a bachelor’s degree or an advanced degree in another field, are ordinarily not eligible to enroll as graduate students-at-large.

Individuals who intend to pursue any degree or certificate through GSLIS (including state certification or endorsement through the School Library Media Program) should apply for regular admission.

No more than six credit hours earned as a graduate students at-large may be applied toward a degree or certificate.

Graduate students-at-large are not eligible to receive scholarships or financial aid, and are not assigned to an advisor.

Post-Master's Students

Applicants seeking post-master's Certificates of Special Study must apply for admission following the same procedures for master's degree students.

The Certificate of Special Studies (CSS) enables MLIS graduates to design a program of five courses that is customized to meet their professional development needs.

Microcomputer and Information Technology Competencies

The Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Dominican University expects students to possess functional computer competency. Students, including those who have been admitted but not yet enrolled, are expected to have these skills upon registration for classes.

• Knowledge of the Windows environment
• Proficiency in using Internet-based resources such as email and the Internet Explorer Web browser
• Knowledge of logging into and utilizing the Dominican network.
• Familiarity with Microsoft products such as Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint.

Documentation covering the basics of many of these skills is available on Dominican’s academic server at http://domin.dom.edu/documents/studentdocs.htm

The GSLIS faculty council reviews the computer competency expectation annually.

Windows, word processing and Internet workshops offered by Dominican University Information Technology Department during each semester.

Admitted students may defer their enrollment for a maximum of one year. Admitted student files will be kept for one year after date of admission. Thereafter, he/she must reapply, as must an applicant who withdraws his/her application after it has been submitted.