How to Apply to the Master of Library & Information Science Program

Admissions criteria

Students who have a four-year university degree or equivalent (see below for equivalencies) and have an average of at least 70% in the last two years of full-time study will be considered for admission.  Students from a variety of subject backgrounds in the arts, humanities, social sciences and sciences are encouraged to apply.

Students may be considered for admission with any of the following academic backgrounds:

  • A four-year degree with an average of at least 70% in the last two years of full-time study;
  • A three-year Bachelor's degree in an academic discipline, with an average of at least 70% in the last ten courses taken, and the completion of a Bachelor of Education degree;
  • A three-year Bachelor's degree in an academic discipline, with appropriate additional course work at an accredited university as a special undergraduate student for the equivalent of a four-year degree. This would ordinarily consist of five full academic degree credit courses, usually (but not necessarily) in the student's previous area of specialization. Students who complete these additional courses and maintain an average of at least 70% over the most recently completed ten full academic degree credit courses may apply for admission;
  • A four-year degree, or the equivalent, with an average of at least 70%, and completion of a graduate degree in another academic discipline, with an average of at least 70%;
  • A four-year degree, or the equivalent, with an average of at least 70% and completion of two terms of study towards an MLIS or equivalent degree (with an average of at least 70%) at another ALA-accredited library school. Such students may apply for a transfer at the end of their second term for admission to a 10-course MLIS program.
The possession of the minimum admission requirements does not in itself guarantee admission.

How to apply

General Application Information

Applicants may enter the MLIS program in September, January, or May.

We are currently accepting applications for the January 2021 and May 2021 terms.

We consider applications as they arrive and attempt to accommodate your requested start date, so the earlier you apply, the earlier you may receive a decision on your application. Earlier applications are considered first, so you are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible.

No application will be considered until it is complete. The responsibility rests with the applicant to ensure all required supplementary documents are uploaded to their application prior to submission, and that referees submit their letters as soon as possible. Completed applications will be evaluated by the program, which makes the admission decision. The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies sends out offers of admission.

English Proficiency

Students whose first language is not English, and have not completed a four year university degree in Canada, the US, or the UK, must provide proof of achieving a score of at least 107 (Internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of 8.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), taken within the last 2 years.

Information to Include in Online Application

The applicant will provide Western with the following information as part of the online application:
  • Name and personal information
  • Contact information
  • Academic background

  • Electronic transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended
    • Past or current students of Western University are required to upload an electronic copy of their academic record to the online application. An unofficial academic record, available from your Western Student Center, can be used.
    • If you have attended or are currently enrolled at any university or college other than Western, you MUST upload and attach an electronic copy or scanned PDF copy of your transcripts from each institution attended to the online application. Applicants who are offered a space in the program will be required to provide one official* copy of their transcript to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies prior to the start of the program.
Applicants who are unable to attach an electronic, or scanned copy of their transcripts to the application must forward one official hard copy* of their transcript by mail to:

The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
International and Graduate Affairs Building, Room 1N07
Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7

* Western considers a transcript official only if it is received in a university envelope that is sealed and signed on the flap by the official person in the office issuing the transcript. If the transcript and degree certificate are not in English, a certified translation must also be included. (Non-English transcripts from institutions within Canada do not require a translation.)

  • Proficiency in English Scores (if applicable). Applicant must have testing service send score electronically to Western. Proof of proficiency in English is required from applicants whose first language is not English, and who have not completed a four year university degree in Canada, the US, or the UK.
    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum score required: 107 Internet-based. Western's TOEFL ID is 0984
    • International English Language Testing Service (IELTS). Minimum score required: 8

  • Referee Information
    Applicants are required to enter the names and contact information (including e-mail address) of two academic referees (academic referees are people who have taught the applicant in a university degree credit course) into the online application. If several years have passed since the applicant attended university, references from supervisors in professional employmentmay be substituted. Within 24 hours of the time the applicant enters the referee information into the application, each referee will receive a request via e-mail to complete an electronic recommendation form on the applicant’s behalf. A link to the form will be included in the e-mail. The applicant will receive an e-mail when Western receives the referee's letter of recommendation.

  • Non-refundable application fee of CAD $120.00

Supplementary Documents to include with Application

The following supplementary documents are to be uploaded and attached to the online application in MS Word or PDF format:
  • A CV detailing your education, employment and volunteer experience
  • A brief statement of why you wish to be admitted to the MLIS program and how it fits with your goals and interests (no more than one page in length)
  • A list of computer skills and experience, including knowledge of software applications and Web skills
  • If you have library or information industry experience, a letter from your employer commenting on your potential in the field
  • If you have library technician training, a transcript for library technician courses
  • For permanent residents of Canada only, please include a photocopy of both sides of your Permanent Resident Card or a photocopy of your Record of Landing. If you are applying to be a permanent resident, but have not been granted landed-immigrant status, you must apply as an international applicant.
  • Proof of name change, if applicable (photocopy of change of name documentation, such as marriage certificate or other legal change of name and a photocopy of photo ID showing your current name)

Questions About Applications/Admissions

Questions regarding the application procedure should be directed to:

Shelley Long
Faculty of Information and Media Studies
FIMS & Nursing Building, Room 2020
Western University
London, Ontario
Phone: (519) 661-4017
slong@uwo.ca
https://www.fims.uwo.ca/programs/graduate_programs/master_of_library_and_information_science/how_to_apply.html
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