Admissions for the MLS program

Application Deadlines for on-campus students :
For the fall semester (classes begin in August) - May 1
For the spring semester (classes begin in January) - October 1
For the summer semester (classes begin in June) - February 1

Students interested in the Distance Education Program
should follow this link for more information.

How to Apply
Send the following information to the ESU Office of Graduate Studies
You may apply for admission online at http://www.emporia.edu/grad/appinstr.htm, or you may download a copy of the application form at http://www.emporia.edu/grad/docs/grapp2.pdf. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the copy. You
may also obtain an application form by calling the Office of Graduate Studies at 1-800-950-GRAD.

When completing your application for admission form:
1. Indicate "MLS" for degree, whether you plan to complete the master's degree or certification.
2. Indicate your major as "LIS."

Your application form, official transcripts, and GRE scores must be sent to: The Office of Graduate Studies, Campus Box 3, Emporia State University, Emporia, KS 66801.

Send all other admission materials to: School of Library and Information Management Admissions, Campus Box 25, Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas 66801.

For assistance in completing application materials, please contact the MLS Program Director at in the Emporia Office at 1-800-552-4770 or email slimapply@emporia.edu.

Transcripts
The grade point average used for admission purposes is always based on your bachelor's degree (even if you also have a post-graduate degree); therefore, we must have an official transcript from the college or university from which you received that degree. If work from another college/university counted toward your bachelor's degree, those transcript(s) must also be submitted. If your bachelor's degree is from ESU, we can request the transcript for you. If you have a post-graduate degree or have done post-graduate work that did not lead to a degree, you must submit those transcript(s) as well.

Graduate Record Examination

1. Students are required to take the GRE examination before admission to SLIM. We are looking for a combined verbal and quantitative score of 1,000 and a writing score of 3.5. If your GPA is below 3.0 or your writing score is below 3.5, then your combine verbal and quantitative scores must be at least 1,000.

2. If you have already taken the exam, have the Educational Testing Service send us your results. The address for E.T.S. is Graduate Record Examinations, Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6000, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6000, (609) 771-7670. The code for ESU is R6335 and the code for Library Science is 4701.

3. The GRE requirement may be waived for those students who have already earned another graduate degree and carried a 3.75 GPA or better for that degree. Include a letter requesting a waiver with your Statement of Objectives and Resume as listed below. You may be asked to supply a writing sample.

Send the following application information to the SLIM office:
Three Letters of Reference

1. Anyone who can describe you in terms of the admission criteria would be an appropriate reference; most people ask references of supervisors or mentors, people with whom they have worked on a project or program, and/or instructors. The reference letters can be open or closed as decided by you and the person giving the reference.

2. Include a list of the names, addresses, positions and phone numbers of the three references.

Statement of Objectives

1. We would like a 200-300 word, double-spaced typed essay on where you've been, where you're going, and how an MLS fits into your aspirations.

2. Make sure your name, the date, and the words "Statement of Objectives" appears on your statement.

Resume
Please send a current resume to help us get to know you better.

Interview

1. All MLS applicants must have an interview. Interviews are held each semester shortly after the application deadline. You will receive a letter asking you to schedule an interview. Interviews for applicants to the SLIM Distance Education Program will be held at the distance site locations.

2. You should plan on an hour for your interview. You may also get a tour or be able to talk with current students.


Probationary Admission
Applicants may be admitted on academic probation. For example, an applicant whose Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are in the range of 800 - 900 points may be admitted on probation if her/his grade point average (GPA) is over 3.0. An applicant whose GPA is under 3.0 may be admitted on academic probation if her/his GRE scores are in the 900 - 990 point or above range. Other weaknesses evidenced by application materials may also lead to a student being admitted on academic probation. Academic probation can allow a student to demonstrate her/his actual abilities to be successful with graduate level course work and participation in professional school. While specific terms of probations may vary, each probationary student should expect to meet with his or her advisor each semester until eligibility for degree candidacy is determined.


Provisional Admission
Applicants may also be admitted on a provisional basis. This may be done, for example, when admissions is anticipated but all the required admissions materials, such as an applicant’s GRE scores or final official transcript, have not been received by the SLIM office before the semester enrollment deadline. * In the case of a provisional admission, the admission status is changed when all admissions materials are received, and they satisfy SLIM admissions criteria.

International Students
We welcome the opportunity for non-U.S. citizens to study at SLIM. We have had students from such diverse countries as China, Benin, the Ukraine, Japan, India, the Philippines, and Russia attend our MLS program. All non-U.S. citizens (including permanent residents) must apply to SLIM through the International Student Office. The application procedure described earlier is the same except for the following additions:

1. Use the ISO application form instead of the Graduate Application.

2. A $50.00 non-refundable application fee is required.

3. All non-native speakers must demonstrate an adequate proficiency in English. This can be done by taking the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam (550 score required); having previously attended a U.S. college/university; or having completed intensive English classes at ESU before starting classes toward the MLS.

4. Financial affidavit showing that you or your sponsor have the ability to pay for your education and expenses while at ESU ($10,550.00 is the current recommended amount of money needed per year.) Call or write the International Student Office at (620) 341-5374, Box 4041 for further information.

Your application form, official transcripts, and GRE scores must be sent to: The Office of Graduate Studies, Campus Box 3, Emporia State University, Emporia, KS 66801.

Send all other admission materials to: School of Library and Information Management Admissions, Campus Box 25, Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas 66801.