MLIS Admissions

Online Application Is Available. We offer a Web-based application to make our application process as easy and convenient as possible for you. You can get started right now.

Qualifications

The Library and Information Science Program seeks students with diverse educational and career backgrounds. Applicants for graduate study must have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a scholastic average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better.

Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination Policy

The University of Pittsburgh, as an educational institution and as an employer, values equality of opportunity, human dignity, and racial/ethnic and cultural diversity. Accordingly, the University prohibits and will not engage in discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or a veteran of the Vietnam era. Further, the University will continue to take affirmative steps to support and advance these values consistent with the University's mission. For the complete policy, click here.

Transfer Of Credits

A maximum of 6 credits earned with a grade of B or better may be transferred toward either the Master’s or PhD degree from institutions fully accredited for graduate study, provided that these credits have not been applied to any other degree or certificate, that they are applicable to the students’ program of study, and that they are not older than the statute of limitations for the degree.

Application Process

In order to access the most recent version of the admission application and the financial support section, you must create an Apply Yourself account.

Application Fee

The application fee is $50 for all applicants and must be paid when you submit your application. The fee will not be waived, deferred, or refunded. Applications will not be considered until the fee has been received. Receipt of payment will be acknowledged by email from Apply Yourself.

Letters of Recommendation

Identify and seek the recommendations of two individuals (e.g., professors, employers, information professionals) who are in a position to evaluate your academic performance or your potential as an information professional. For both paper and electronic submission of recommendation letters, please follow the instructions outlined on Apply Yourself.

One reference should be able to address your academic abilities, while the remaining references may discuss your professional experience and accomplishments.

Transcripts

Only official transcripts will be accepted. Official transcripts for undergraduate and graduate work must be sent directly to the Admissions Coordinator by the issuing institution, following the instructions on Apply Yourself. If your transcript is recorded in a former name, please email admissions@sis.pitt.edu with both your current and former names so that the processing of your application is not delayed.

Transcript evaluation for international applicants is described here.

Standardized Test Scores

Submission of scores from a standardized predictor test is required. Applicants with post-baccalaureate advanced degrees (Master's, PhD, JD, etc.) are exempt from this requirement.

By nature, an MLIS degree is multi-disciplinary, and we welcome applicants with bachelor’s degree and/or advanced degree from diverse disciplinary backgrounds. Our multi-disciplinary nature is reflected in the wide range of standardized tests that are accepted by our admissions committee, which include the GRE, MAT, MCAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

To send us your test scores, please use the following designations:

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The GRE institution number for the University of Pittsburgh is 2927.

Miller Analogies Test (MAT)

The MAT institution number for the University of Pittsburgh is 2732.

Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)

The MCAT institution number for the University of Pittsburgh is 162.

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

Include "University of Pittsburgh" as a recipient of your GMAT test scores.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

Include "University of Pittsburgh" as a recipient of your LSAT test scores.

Applicants proposing to submit scores from tests other than those listed above should contact the admissions team for advice on how to proceed.

Required Documents

Please include the following in your online application:

1. Resume

2. A statement of no more than 500 words that includes the following elements:

outlines your career goals
reflects on your relevant work experience in libraries, information centers, or other relevant environments
highlights your relevant experience using information technology

3. Additional documentation is required for some applicants:

MLIS Online applicants must additionally address how you will succeed as an independent learner in the MLIS Online degree program.
Archives and Information Science specialization applicants must additionally provide documentation of
- the equivalent of one year’s (student or paraprofessional) experience in an archives or special collections unit at an educational institution, volunteer organization, historical society, museum archives, historic site, or cultural organization
- knowledge of the archives field as demonstrated in your personal statement
- clear professional goals that can be supported by the academic program for which you are applying

International Applicants

There are different documentation and admission requirements for international students. These are explained here.

Deadlines

The MLIS degree program uses a rolling admissions process. New students start classes in the Fall Term only. Fall Term begins in late August. Applicants admitted after the deadline would be eligible to start classes the following Fall Term.

Fall Term Admission Deadlines	On-Campus Applicant**	Online Applicant**
Applications *WITH* financial support*	January 15	n/a
Applications *WITHOUT* financial support	July 1	July 1
Admission decisions WITH financial support	April 15	n/a
Admission decisions *WITHOUT* financial support	July 30	July 30

*Financial support is only available to on-campus students. Financial support applications must be completed at the time of admission application.

**All dates listed are the latest possible date for application submission and/or admission decision notification, and these dates are subject to change.

Once your completed application and supporting documentation is received, an admissions decision is usually reached within 6-8 weeks, or by the date listed above at the latest.

You will be informed of admissions decisions via e-mail and postal mail. Additionally, you can always check your Apply Yourself account to see if documentation has been received or if an admissions decision has been made. The status of your application, related documents, and admission decision cannot be verified until you have submitted the application fee (which is the final step in submitting your application).