APPLICATION PROCEDURES

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO THE M.S. IN L.S. PROGRAM

To be considered for admission to the School of Library and Information Science as an M.S. in L.S. degree-seeking student, the materials listed below must be submitted to:

The Catholic University of America
School of Library and Information Science
Attention: Admissions Committee
Washington, D.C. 20064

1. Applications. Completed Application for Admission to Graduate Studies and Application for Admission to the School of Library and Information Science, with a $50 non-refundable application fee.
   
2. Transcripts. Official and complete transcripts of work leading to the baccalaureate degree and any post-baccalaureate study or advanced degrees. Transcripts must show course work completed, grades obtained, and the basis of grading in effect at the institution and must be sent directly to the school by the institution. Applicants should have an undergraduate degree that reflects a broad general education in the liberal arts or sciences with a grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Special consideration is given to the student's grade point average in the last two years of undergraduate work and to the average earned in any post-baccalaureate study completed by the applicant.
   
3. GRE Scores. An official report of scores of the Graduate Record Examination general test taken within the past five years and sent directly by the Educational Testing Service which give evidence that the applicant will be able to complete a graduate program satisfactorily. This requirement is waived for applicants who already hold an accredited Master's degree, J.D., or doctorate in any field from an accredited institution in the United States. In general, the applicant should have a score of 1000 when scores in two of the three GRE categories are combined. Applicants applying for scholarships must submit GRE scores regardless of previous degrees.
4. Recommendations. Two written recommendations from former or present college or university instructors and/or employers or supervisors giving evidence of personal aptitude for, as well as interest in and motivation for, a career in library and information science, archives, records management, or other information professions. Recommendation forms are provided by the school and should be returned directly to the school.
   
5. TOEFL Score. Prospective students from non-English speaking nations whose previous education has not been at institutions of higher education in the U.S. are required to have the Educational Testing Service forward an official report of the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applicants should have a TOEFL score of 550. The school may recommend the student take advantage of intensive English instruction on campus.
   
6. Interview. Although not required, an interview may be arranged with a member of the Admissions Committee by writing or calling the school. The Committee may also request an interview with the applicant.
   

The Admissions Committee gives careful attention to the applicant's personal statement of career objectives for additional information concerning personal motivation for professional service and areas of special interest. Applicants are notified of the decision on admission by letter from the school.

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APPLICATION FOR PROVISIONAL STUDENT STATUS

Prospective students who wish to apply for degree-seeking status but who are lacking one of the support documents stated above may apply for provisional admission. This status is valid for one semester only. By the end of that semester, provisional students must have the missing document submitted to the school in order to be considered for regular admission. Applicants applying for provisional status who are lacking an official transcript as defined above must submit a student copy. Applications lacking a transcript will not be evaluated by the Admissions Committee.

Applicants must submit a cover letter stating their intent to supply the missing documentation within the semester. Other procedures under "Application for Admission to the M.S. in L.S. Program" must be met.

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PROBATIONARY ADMISSION

When the Admissions Committee reviews an application, it looks at the applicant's entire record. It considers not only the undergraduate grade point average and Graduate Record Examination scores, but also the difficulty of the course of study pursued, improvement over time, work experience, motivation, the applicant's personal statement, and letters of recommendation. While the committee looks for a GPA of 3.00 and a GRE score of 1000, combining two of the three scores, it does not set arbitrary or automatic cut-offs. Using all the information at hand, the committee attempts to gauge the student's potential to succeed in the program.

Applicants who do not fulfill all criteria for admission but whose applications demonstrate promise may be admitted with probationary status. Probationary status is extended automatically one semester at a time provided the student earns grades of B or better in the previous semester's classes. Unsatisfactory academic performance may result in the student's probationary status not being extended. After the probationary student has completed 12 semester hours of graduate credit in the program, the Admissions Committee reviews his or her record to determine whether or not regular admission to the M.S. in L.S. program will be granted.

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APPLICATION FOR NON-DEGREE STUDENT STATUS

Prospective students who wish to take a master's level course but who do not wish to pursue the M.S. in L.S. degree may apply for admission as a non-degree student. Non-degree student status is granted for one semester only and may be renewed at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. Prospective students wishing to apply as non-degree should submit the following to the school:

1. Completed Application to Graduate Studies and Application for Admission to the School of Library and Information Science, with a $50 non-refundable application fee.
2. Official and complete transcripts as previously detailed.
3. Two letters of recommendation as previously detailed.
   

For Audit (Auditing students pay the same tuition as students receiving graduate credits.) Prospective students who wish to audit a course must submit the following to the school:

1. Completed Application to Graduate Studies and Application for Admission to the School of Library and Information Science, with a $50 non-refundable application fee.
2. Two letters of recommendation as previously detailed.
   

Prospective students who have not completed an undergraduate degree may be allowed to audit a course. They must have completed at least two years of undergraduate work and have significant work experience related to the subject of the course. Admission will be subject to availability of space and the permission of the instructor.

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APPLICATION FOR VISITING STUDENT STATUS

Prospective students who are currently enrolled in an accredited Master of Science in Library Science degree program or its equivalent may wish to take a master's level course for credit transfer to their degree program. Prospective students wishing to apply as visiting students should submit the following to the school:

1. Completed Application to Graduate Studies and Application for Admission to the School of Library and Information Science, with a $50 non-refundable application fee.
   
2. Official and complete transcript of course work completed to date in the M.S. in L.S. degree program as previously detailed.
   
3. A letter from the dean of their degree program stating that credits earned for the course work completed at The Catholic University of America will be accepted for transfer into their degree program.
   

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APPLICATION FOR POST-MASTER'S STUDY

Librarians or information specialists who already possess the M.S. in L.S. degree or its equivalent may take specific courses relevant to their continuing education needs or pursue the Post-Master's Certificate of Specialization. Prospective students wishing to apply for Post-Master's status should submit the following:

1. Completed Application to Graduate Studies and Application for Admission to the School of Library and Information Science, with a $50 non-refundable application fee.
   
2. Official and complete transcript of the master's degree as previously detailed.
   

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APPLICATION FOR SUMMER STUDENT

Students interested only in attending classes during the summers as a non-degree student should submit the following materials:

1. Completed summer sessions application, with a $20 non-refundable application fee.
2. Official and complete transcript showing that you are a student in good standing at another
   college or univeristy or your summer sessions application form signed by a designated official in your school indicating that you are in good standing -- your school's seal must be affixed if you choose this option.

Visit the CUA Summer Sessions website for more information
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APPLICATION DEADLINES

To ensure consideration for the desired semester, applications for admission and all required supporting documents should be received according to the following schedule:

July 1 for the first (fall) semester, November 1 for the second (spring) semester, and April 1 for the summer sessions. Applications completed after these dates may be considered at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.

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DEFERRING ADMISSION

Students are accepted only for the semester for which they apply. If the student does not wish to enroll for the semester in which (s)he was accepted, a letter requesting a deferral of admission must be submitted in a timely fashion to the Admissions Committee. Admission can be deferred for one year only. If the student does not register and does not submit a letter requesting deferral that is approved by the Admissions Committee, reapplication is required.

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