MLIS Admission Requirements
Students may be admitted to the School of Library and Information Studies without condition (regular admission) or with academic conditions imposed. The MLIS program is selective, and does not admit every applicant. Applications are considered holistically, so no single factor determines acceptance to the program.
We are currently accepting applications for Fall 2023 for both the Main Campus and Online cohorts.
Regular Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the program, applicants must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 overall for the last 60 semester hours in a degree program, based on a 4.0 system.
An application consists of the following items:
- Application Form
- Statement of Purpose
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- Application Fee
- Transcripts
- Three (3) letters of recommendation; for applicants who have been in school in the last 5 years, at least two (2) letters must be academic references.
As you prepare your Statement of Purpose, consider the following recommendations:
- Read and reflect on the Core Values of Librarianship and use these core values to shape your responses.
- Describe specific aspects of your background that prepare you for graduate school. Mention experiences, interests, activities, and achievements that helped shape your personal goals and impact your education.
- Discuss how your professional goals align with the strengths of our program as reflected in the Concentrations and Specializations advertised on our web site.
- Discuss your career goals and the kinds of work you intend to do when you graduate.
For further information and to submit an application, go to the Graduate Application Center online.
Exceptions to Admissions Policy
Under exceptional circumstances, an applicant may be considered for admission if he or she does not meet the GPA requirement for regular admission (GPA of 3.0). If such an applicant is admitted, he or she will need to obtain permission to continue in the program, after the first 12 semester hours of graduate-level work have been completed. Permission to continue is earned by achieving a GPA of “B” or better (3.0) in the first 12 semester hours. If the 12 hours are completed in a term in which the total credits exceed 12, the evaluation is made on the basis of all graduate-level work completed at the end of that term of enrollment. Students admitted under this circumstance who do not meet the 3.0 requirement after their first 12 hours of graduate-level work will not receive permission to continue in their graduate program, and will be dropped from the program.
Additional Information
Application Status
You can check the status of your application online by entering the requested information here.
Deferring Acceptance
You may defer your admission to the MLIS program for up to one year. However, if you have been accepted to an online cohort, you will have to compete again the following year to be selected for a seat in the cohort.
I’m Accepted! What’s Next?
Students are strongly encouraged to speak with their faculty advisor regarding course selection. Face to face students are not permitted to register for online required courses, but may register for online electives.
All MLIS students who enroll in Fall 2019 or later must complete, as part of the minimum 36 hours, the following 9 hours of required courses in the first two semesters of enrollment:
- LS 500 Information Science and Technology (formerly Information and Media)
- LS 501 Information in Communities
- LS 513 Professional Paths
All MLIS students enrolled prior to Fall 2019 must complete, as part of the minimum 36 hours, the following 18 hours of required courses:
- LS 500 Organization of Information
- LS 501 Introduction to Library and Information Studies
- LS 502 Research Methods
- LS 507 Information Sources and Services
- LS 560 Information Technologies
And one of the following:
- LS 508 Administration and Management
- LS 530 Public Libraries
- LS 531 Academic Libraries
- LS 532 School Media Centers
- LS 533 Special Libraries and Information Centers
Students are advised to schedule core courses first whenever possible.
Pay Tuition
Tuition is payable online. Log in to myBama and select the “Student” tab. Under “Self Service Banner,” select “Student Services” and then select “Student Account Services” to find payment options.
Orientation
Information about orientation will be included with your acceptance letter. Please contact the SLIS office for specific date/time/location information.