The Admission Committee of Library and Information Science reviews each applicant's entire record. The committee considers numeric scores, background, talent, and other attributes that are needed by the information professions. Readiness to engage in academic work, analytic and conceptual thinking ability, strong writing skills, a commitment to the application of new techniques and concepts to the information professions are also considered.
Applications for the master's degree programs are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Application Requirements for Graduate Admission
Minimum Required Documents
- A completed Catholic University online application (No fee is required.)
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (Unofficial transcripts can be used for the admissions review.)
- English proficiency test (Internationals students only)
Official transcripts and English proficiency scores must be submitted for full admittance to the University. Your official copies should be sent from the institution to em-operations@cua.edu
For international students, a credential evaluation of your coursework will be provided free of charge by the University.
Recommended Documents
- Resume or curriculum vitae
- A letter of recommendation
- A professional goal statement
Questions?
Email: cua-gradadmissions@cua.edu
Phone: 202-319-5057
Once materials are submitted, please send a confirmation email to cua-lis@cua.edu.
Application Deadlines
- Fall Semester
- July 1 for international students
- August 15 for domestic students
- Spring Semester
- November 1 for international students
- December 15 for domestic students
- Summer Semester
- April 1
Other Application Options
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Post-Master's Certificates
Any applicant who wishes to study as a post-master's student must apply as a non-degree student:
-Complete the online Application Form, accompanied by a $60 nonrefundable application fee. Upload your transcripts and send us your résumé .
-Request that official transcripts be sent directly from the regionally accredited college or university that awarded your B.A., B.S., along with any transcripts from graduate work. -
Non-Degree Students
A non-degree seeking student may take up to nine credits, which may be counted toward degree requirements if full acceptance to a degree program is later granted.
An applicant who does not wish to pursue the degree but wishes to follow courses independently must apply for admission as a non-degree student.
Admission as a non-degree student is limited to a single semester or summer session, unless renewed by the dean of the school for registration in subsequent consecutive semesters or summer sessions. Registration for consecutive semesters will be approved for students completing a certificate program. No fee is charged for such renewal. Non-degree students who subsequently wish to apply for degree study must file additional application documents and be accepted officially for degree study. Since the mere accumulation of courses will not satisfy degree requirements, one should consult the appropriate dean or department chair before enrolling.
To apply as a non-degree student:
-Complete the online Application Form, accompanied by a $60 nonrefundable application fee.
-Request that official transcripts be sent directly from all accredited colleges or universities that awarded your undergraduate degree, along with any transcripts from graduate work.
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International Students
Library and Information Science requires that applicants from non-English-speaking nations whose previous education has not been at institutions of higher education in the United States certify their proficiency in English by submitting scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A minimum score on the TOEFL of 580 (paper-based test) or 237 (computer-based test) or 92 (Internet-based test) is expected. On the IELTS, an Overall Band score of 6.5 or higher is required.
A certified, translated copy of your transcript is needed if it is not in the English language.
For more information, including deadlines for international applicants, see the International Students Admission page.
Scholarships
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Kortendick Scholarships
These competitive scholarships are awarded to promising incoming students, generally as a $5,000 award to be used during the first two semesters of study. Priority consideration is given to applicants with a minimum GPA of 3.5 and/or combined GRE scores of at least 300. For most favorable consideration, candidates should provide GRE scores when applying to the program. -
Graduate Library Pre-Professional (GLP) Programs
The Graduate Library Pre-Professional Program, administered by The Catholic University of America Libraries with the cooperation of the Department of Library and Information Science, provides selected students in the Library and Information Science program with pre-professional work experience in the University libraries. The GLP Program allows students to complete their degree requirements within a two-year period and combines full-time, salaried work with part-time study. Participants receive the Graduate Library Pre-Professional Scholarship, which provides six credit hours of tuition per semester. The GLP program is administered by the Mullen Library (202-319-5055). More details and information on how to apply are posted on the Graduate Library Preprofessional (GLP) Program web page.
The Catholic University Law Library administers a Law Library Graduate Library Pre-professional program. For more information, see the Law Library GLP program webpage.
Candidates are welcome to apply to both GLP programs simultaneously, but separate applications are required.
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Howard and Mathilde Rovelstad Scholarship
The Howard and Mathilde Rovelstad scholarship is offered to students who are already enrolled in LIS who have demonstrated exceptional qualities. Read more about the Rovelstad scholarship. -
Third-Party Financial Aid
Many third parties offer financial aid for library students. The American Library Association, in addition to its own scholarship program (ALA Scholarship Program), keeps an annual directory of awards from state library agencies, national and state library associations, local libraries, academic institutions, and foundations who give some form of financial assistance.