Admissions Questions
How do I apply?
To apply for admission to the School of Library and Information Science at Indianapolis you will submit an application online at http://www.iupui.edu/~resgrad/grad/onlineapp.htm. International students will submit an application online at http://www.iupui.edu/~oia/AD/admission_step1.html. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Melanie Hollcraft at meacole@iupui.edu.
When will I find out if I have been admitted?
After the SLIS Indianapolis has received all the necessary documents, the application process usually takes about 4 weeks. At that time, a letter of admission or denial will be sent to you.
Can I take classes before I am admitted to the school?
Students who wish to take classes while waiting on official admissions may be enrolled as a SLIS Non-Degree student to IUPUI. At the time of admissions, non-degree students may take S401, the SLIS prerequisite course, as well as six (6) additional SLIS graduate credit hours. No more than six graduate credits in SLIS are to be completed prior to a decision on admission to the MLS degree program (this policy applies to those seeking public or school library certification as well). To request an application for the SLIS Non-Degree program, please use our request form or contact Melanie Hollcraft.
Do I have to take the GRE?
Students who do not have at least an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0) scale, or a GPA of at least 3.2 (on a 4.0) scale for a completed graduate degree will need to take the GRE or the GMAT for admissions to SLIS. An acceptable score for the GRE is a minimum of 500 each for the verbal and quantitative reasoning areas and a 4.5 out of 6.0 on the writing portion or a GMAT minimum score of 31 in each area. Such scores, however, serve as a portion of the consideration for admission and other factors may justify denial of admission.
For more information on the GRE test, visit http://www.gre.org.
For more information on the GMAT test, please visit http://www.gre.org.
What undergraduate degree do you have to have to apply for the MLS program?
SLIS admits students with a wide variety of academic backgrounds. The most common undergraduate disciplines include English, History, Sociology, and Education. Every academic discipline is influenced by the field of Library and Information Science. Academic diversity among our students and faculty has led to some remarkable creativity and innovation.
SLIS welcomes students from all backgrounds. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on such characteristics as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
What computer skills do I need to enter the MLS program?
(see also technology FAQ's)
SLIS requires that students be computer, network, and information literate and be familiar with basic skills that will be used throughout your course work. This knowledge is prerequisite to many courses in the SLIS curriculum and will form the basis for further learning and skill development throughout the students' academic and professional careers.
To acquire this base, each student must complete (or apply and receive a waiver for) the SLIS course S401 "Computer-Based Information Tools." Normally the course should be completed during the first semester of enrollment. This three-credit, undergraduate-level course is a prerequisite for many courses in the SLIS curriculum, although it does not count toward the credit hours required for a SLIS graduate degree. - S401 Waiver Form
May I attend classes part-time?
Yes. SLIS at Indianapolis is home to both traditional and non-traditional students. Over 70% of our students work full-time or part-time and are able to successfully achieve their academic goals. Full-time is at least 8 credit hours per semester. Part-time status to qualify for most forms of financial assistance is 4 credits per semester. Many students take one, three-credit course each semester.
SLIS at Indianapolis offers mostly night and weekend classes as well as distance education sections to ensure that working students can obtain their degree.
Because financial aid is often based on credit hour attendance, you should contact the IUPUI Financial Aid office to determine eligibility if you are planning to attend classes part-time.
May I attend classes full-time if I work?
Yes. It is possible for students to attend 9 or even 12 credit hours while they work assuming the student is capable of such time and obligation management. Enough courses are offered in the SLIS Indianapolis curriculum each semester that it is possible to find up to 12 credit hours per semester. A student completing this many credits each semester can complete the MLS within one year. SLIS Indianapolis offers evening, weekend, and distance education classes to accommodate students who have careers, but students who decide to not work and to attend school full-time may do so at IUPUI.
Is there a different application process for International students?
Yes. All international applicants must first contact the IUPUI Office of International Affairs. They will provide you with the necessary information and forms needed to apply to the University and to the School of Library and Information Science. Before you can be admitted to SLIS, you will first need to be admitted to the University.
Don't see your question? Email it to us at slisindy@iupui.edu, or fill out and submit the form on our contact us page.
