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NOTICE: Effective July 1, 2011, the School of Graduate Studies (GS) will become the central locus for nearly all graduate admissions materials. On that date, the Graduate School office will receive all admissions materials for all non-certification graduate programs in ILS.

All admissions materials include, but are not limited to transcripts, letters of recommendation, essay/personal statement, resume.

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ILS APPLICATION DEADLINE:

MLS, School Media Certification, MLS/SMS, and Sixth Year programs: rolling admissions

ILS Application Procedure and Deadlines

Acceptance to the Master of Library Science program requires review by two offices: School of Graduate Studies and Department of Information and Library Science. Students, however, submit all materials to the School of Graduate Studies; complete applications will then be forwarded to the department for review.

Submit the following to the School of Graduate Studies:

  • Graduate School Application
  • Application fee
  • Evidence of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. An undergraduate degree earned abroad must be deemed equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's by an evaluating service.
  • Copies of all official college-level transcripts. All transcripts from universities in other countries must be translated and evaluated by the World Education Services, Inc.
  • GRE revised General Test scores for verbal, quantitative and analytical writing (for MLS only). [GRE revised General Test replaced the GRE General Test on August 11, 2011.]
  • Praxis I scores (for School Media Specialists Certification applicants only). On July 1, 2007, the Connecticut State Department of Education authorized acceptance of minimum scores (1000 combined verbal/math; 450 verbal; 500 math; and 4.5 analytic writing) on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as a basis for Praxis I waivers. The SAT may also be used as a basis for Praxis I waivers with minimum scores of 1100 combined verbal/math (1000 if taken before March 31, 1995, with no less than 400 in either verbal or math). 
  • For applicants for whom English is a second language, TOEFL scores.
  • Two current letters of recommendation (preferably from employers or professors) attesting to the ability of the applicant to successfully complete the program of studies as well as attesting to qualities (scholarship, attitude, integrity, leadership, service) that would contribute to the information field. Applicants should ask their references to return the recommendation letter to the applicant in an envelope, which must be sealed and signed across the seal (back flap) by the reference. Do NOT open the envelope. Submit the sealed recommendations with your other application materials.
  • A statement (250-500 words) describing why the applicant is interested in the intended program of study and career expectations from the professional degree;
  • A current resume.

Application materials should be mailed to the School of Graduate Studies, Southern Connecticut State University, 501 Crescent Street, New Haven CT 06515. After all application materials are received, the Graduate School will forward complete application files to the Department Graduate Admissions Committee for review. At that time applicants for Initial Educator certification will be contacted for a personal interview; the interview will be part of the application and consideration. Following review of all application materials and interviews, the Department Graduate Admissions Committee will forward its recommendations to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. Letters of final decision will be mailed to applicants from the Office of the School of Graduate Studies. .


In considering admission files, the committee will be looking for:

  • an overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) from a regionally accredited college or university; we prefer a grade point average of 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale).

  • an overall graduate grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale); we prefer a grade point average of 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale)

  • GRE General Test/GRE revised General Test* scores of 500/153* in verbal (we prefer 550/156*), 500/144* in quantitative (we prefer 550/148*), and 4.5 in analytical writing (we prefer 5.0) [*GRE revised General Test replaced the GRE General Test on August 2011]

  • TOEFL scores of 600 (213 on the TOEFL-cBT or 80 on the TOEFL -iBT)

  • PRAXIS I passed or waived

  • personal statement/essay that clearly demonstrates knowledge of library/ information values, professional goals that coincide with the mission and goals of the department, good description of how professional life experiences have prepared you for graduate library/information study, and overall quality writing

  • letters of recommendation from appropriate sources that include clear examples of experiences that demonstrate qualities of the applicant suitable to library/information study

  • a well-constructed professional-quality resume

  • a personal interview that demonstrates clarity in responding to questions about various parts of the personal statement/essay and that demonstrates familiarity with the five categories of SAILS (scholarship, attitude, integrity, leadership, service).

Additional information is available on the department website.

Before being matriculated into an ILS program, students recommended for admission must submit:

  • an approved Planned Program of study

  • evidence of purchase of a Tk20 account (MLS and certification applicants)

  • documentation of completed background check and fingerprinting through aces (certification applicants)

  • complete School of Education application using SOE forms (certification applicants)

  • satisfactory initial interview with the Library Media Coordinator and/or Graduate Admissions Committee (certification applicants)

 

Prior to being admitted to the program, students may take up to 9 credits on a part-time, non-matriculated basis. (Taking such courses does not give the applicant an advantage in the application process.) The recommended courses to choose from are the following core courses:

  • ILS 501 - Introduction to Information Science and Technology
  • ILS 503 - Foundations of Librarianship
  • ILS 504 - Reference and Information Resources and Services
  • ILS 506 - Information Analysis and Organization 
  • ILS 565 - Library Management

ILS 501 and ILS 503 must be completed successfully before either ILS 504 or ILS 506 or ILS 565 may be taken.

Students in the school media certification program are allowed to enroll in only two non-ILS professional education courses prior to being fully matriculated into the certification program.

Prior to being admitted to the Sixth Year Professional Diploma program, students may take up to 9 credits on a part-time, non-matriculated basis.

Computer Skills Prerequisite

All MLS students are assumed to have reliable access to a computer and to have mastered basic computer and information literacy skills.

The University standard for productivity software is Microsoft Office. Students may obtain a copy of Office from the SCSU IT Help Desk. Other software may be acceptable in specific courses with faculty approval. 

 

Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

Applicants to the MLS degree program are required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) revised General Test.

Test of English as a Foreign Language Exam (TOEFL)

Applicants for whom English is a second language need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examinations in addition to the GRE quantitative and analytical writing tests. Applicants should have a minimum score of 600 on the TOEFL (213 on the TOEFL-cBT or 80 on the TOEFL-iBT).

Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers (PRAXIS)

All applicants to the School Media Specialist certification program must pass the state- mandated skills examination (Praxis I) in mathematics, reading, and writing. Details of PRAXIS I examinations are described in the "Admission to Teacher Certification Programs" in the beginning of this Graduate Catalog; under the "Application and Admission" Section.

Reporting Test Scores

All required tests must be sent to Southern directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Southern's school code is 3662. Information (and test preparation) on the GRE,
TOEFL, and PRAXIS can be found at: www.ets.org

 

The Capstone Experience and Competencies Assessment


  • All students enrolled in the MLS degree program are required to complete a Capstone Experience/Special Project as the University requirement for graduate degrees. Guidelines are available on the Graduate School website at www.southernct.edu/grad/research/
  • Competencies assessment is conducted through a portfolio. The Portfolio is a well-organized demonstration of the body of work a student completes in the MLS program and how this work relates to professional competencies and learn- ing outcomes. The portfolio includes the Capstone Experience and samples of assignments and projects from all courses completed for the MLS degree. In addition, students will complete a competencies assessment covering the core knowledge and skills included in the core required courses (ILS 501, 503, 504, 506, 565, 580). Initial Educator applicants will complete competencies assessment through student teaching (ILS 581). Competencies assessment is managed through Tk20 Assessment System. All MLS and certification students are required to purchase a Tk20 account. Information on obtaining an account is available on the School of Education website at www.southernct.edu/education/tk20/

Updated from the 2012-2013 Graduate Catalog