Admissions – Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS)

• Complete the UMD Graduate School application.
• Pay the application fee of $75 to the UMD Graduate School.
• Upload transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate courses at each institution you have attended.
  • Unofficial transcripts may be submitted initially. Official transcripts will be required upon admission and enrollment.
  • Applicants must have earned a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent degree from a non-U.S. institution. If you have questions, read more about this requirement.
  • Applicants must have earned a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all prior undergraduate and graduate coursework. If you do not meet this, provide more detail in your Statement of Purpose.
• Provide a Statement of Purpose describing your experiences and interests that will help you succeed in the program.
• Submit the names and e-mail addresses of three academic or professional references.
• Upload a current resume or CV.
• Send TOEFL/IELTS scores to the University of Maryland (international applicants only).
• If you are a resident of the State of Maryland or believe you qualify as one, be sure to fill out the Maryland Residency section of the Graduate Application. If you have questions about Residency Classification, email resclass@umd.edu.

MLIS or HILS – Additional Admission Requirements & Steps

MLIS

• LBSC Supplementary Application
• LBSO Supplementary Application

HILS

• HILS Supplementary Application
• Sample of written scholarship (research paper or thesis)

University of Maryland Graduate School Application: See the Graduate School’s Step-by-Step Guide to Applying.

1. Application Fee: There is a non-refundable application fee ($75) for each program to which an applicant applies. The Graduate School waives the application fee for applicants from selected organizations and/or preparatory programs.
2. Transcripts: In the online application to the Graduate School, you will be able to upload a copy of your unofficial transcript in the Previous Education section. The copy of your unofficial transcript is sufficient for the purposes of the review process of your application. However, if you are offered admission and choose to enroll in the University of Maryland, you will need to send your official and unopened (in a sealed envelope) transcript to: University of Maryland, College Park, Enrollment Services Operation, Attn: Graduate Admissions, Room 0130 Mitchell Building, College Park, MD 20742
3. Statement of Purpose
   • In the online application to the Graduate School, you will be asked to provide a Statement of Purpose responding to these questions.
4. Letters of Recommendation: All programs require three (3) letters of recommendation. Provide the names and email addresses of three individuals who will provide online letters of recommendation. Letters should come from current/former faculty members, employers, colleagues, and in rare cases personal references. Letters should not come from family members or those unable to speak to your ability to complete a graduate degree.
5. CV/Resume: A current resume or CV should be uploaded in the “Upload Requirements” section of the application.
6. Supplemental Materials: Remember to submit the additional materials required by your program, described above.
7. Maryland State Residency Information: If you are a resident of the State of Maryland or believe you qualify as one, be sure to fill out the Maryland Residency section of the Graduate Application. If you have questions about Residency Classification, please direct them to resclass@umd.edu.

Exam Scores

1. GRE
   • GRE Scores are not required as part of the MLIS Admissions Application.
2. TOEFL/IELTS/PTE
   • Required for most international applicants. Applicants do not need to submit the English Proficiency Score if they received their degree from an education institution in the U.S. or a nationally recognized university in one of the countries listed at the bottom of the Graduate School’s English Language Proficiency Requirements page. Note: Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens but the TOEFL/IELTS/PTE is required.
   • See the Graduate School’s English Language Proficiency Requirements for instructions on submitting scores. The University of Maryland’s TOEFL Institution Code is 5814.

The University of Maryland (UMD) is dedicated to maintaining a vibrant international student community. The UMD office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is a valuable resource of information and assistance for prospective and current international students. International applicants are encouraged to explore the services the ISSS office offers and contact them with related questions.

The UMD Graduate School offers admission to international students based on academic information; however, it is not a guarantee of attendance. After receiving an admission decision from the graduate school, admitted international students will receive instructions about obtaining the appropriate visa to study at the University of Maryland, which will require the submission of additional documents. Please see the UMD Graduate Admissions Process for International applicants for more information.

STEM ELIGIBILITY: Our Master of Human-Computer Interaction (HCIM) program is STEM certified, enabling our students to potentially work in the U.S. for up to three years after graduation via the U.S. Homeland Security’s STEM OPT program. Please visit UMD’s OPT STEM extension webpage for more information about the application process.

The iSchool Student Services Office maintains application files until they are evaluated for admission or the application deadline for the requested semester has passed. To defer your enrollment for a subsequent academic year, the applicant must notify the iSchool Graduate Student Services Office PRIOR to the beginning of the original entry semester. Otherwise, the application will be deleted.

An applicant wishing to be considered after the file has been deleted must again pay the required Graduate School application fee and re-apply to both, the University of Maryland Graduate School and the College of Information Studies. The new application will be evaluated on the basis of admission standards existing at the time of reapplication.