Graduate Admissions

Graduate Admission Process

How to be a Successful Graduate Student

  • Choose a program of study. At the graduate level, students may complete the Master of Library and Information Science or the MLIS with School Library Media Specialist (AA Level).  Non-degree programs at the graduate level include the School Library Media Endorsement and the Graduate Certificate in Archives and Special Collections (see graduate non-degree admission for more information on these).
  • Refer to the Graduate School for the most current admission information.
  • Read the Graduate Bulletin for specific degree requirements and information concerning admissions policies and procedures, room and board, and tuition.
  • Apply Online at the Graduate School.
  • Check The University of Southern Mississippi Academic Calendar for important application and registration deadlines.
  • To research or apply for Financial Aid at The University of Southern Mississippi, go to the university's Financial Aid page.
  • For students with disabilities, contact the Office for Disability Accommodations (ODA) for a coordination plan.

Admission Requirements

A graduate student in the School of Library and Information Science must meet the general requirements for admission to the university graduate program as outlined in the graduate bulletin. The Southern Miss Graduate School applications are fully online effective fall 2011.  Please submit your application, all required documentation listed below, and required fees via the online application found at the Graduate School for admission consideration.

Applications for admission are evaluated by a combination of the following criteria:

Undergraduate Record - Recently, students qualifying for regular admission to the master's program have had a 3.0 (4.0 scale) grade point average for the last two years of undergraduate study. For conditional admission, the School of Library and Information Science adheres to the policies of the Graduate School as stated in the graduate bulletin.

Graduate Record Examination - The student must submit GRE scores for Verbal, Quantitative, and Written Analytical exams.  This is submitted electronically with your online application.

Letters of Recommendation - Three letters of recommendation by professionals in the field assessing the readiness of the applicant for graduate work must be submitted to the School of Library and Information Science. These are submitted electronically with your online application.

Letter of Application - (minimum 1,000 words) Letter of application discussing the development of the student's interest in library and information science, the types of libraries or other information environments in which they are interested and statements about the student's potential contributions to the field. This is submitted electronically with your online application.

Resumé - Forms for the letters of recommendation and the personal questionnaire may be obtained by request from the School of Library and Information Science and are available on the school's Web site. This is submitted electronically with your online application.

 

Admission Deadlines

Fall 2012 application consideration ENDS August 15, 2012*
Spring 2013 application consideration ENDS December 7, 2012
Summer 2013 application consideration ENDS May 15, 2013.

Fall 2013 application consideration ENDS August 15, 2013
Spring 2014 application consideration ENDS December 7, 2013
Summer 2013 application consideration ENDS May 15, 2014

*Any students who applied for Fall 2012 admission can be moved to Spring 2013 if their application is complete as of December 1, 2012

Students wishing admission as non-degree students may apply until the second day of class of the semester or of the mini semester, or the eight week, five week, etc. semster configurations.