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Odyssey and Guidebook |
Mary E. Brown, Ph.D., Professor
GUIDEBOOK CONTENTS: |
Applying to ILS
The University maintains a general "first stop" information center for admissions at http://www.southernct.edu/admissions/. This Web page contains information for new undergraduates, transfer students, and graduate students. It also contains links to additional information about undergraduate and graduate admissions at Southern. The University provides both online assess to undergraduate and graduate catalogues and interactive web pages for requesting a bound copy be mailed to you. These are available at: Before applying to ILS it is important to read and understand both the general University and Graduate School policies (generally the front sections of the catalogues) and the ILS policies (under the section Department of Information and Library Science). Note: Students are responsible for knowing the published policies. "It is the responsibility of the student to become familiar with and keep informed about the policies and regulations of the university and the School of Graduate Studies as well as with the special requirements of his or her own academic program area. While the faculty and administration of Southern will assist a student whenever possible, regulations will not be waived nor exceptions granted because a student is ignorant of regulations or claims that information was not provided by an adviser." (p. 37, 2009-2010 Graduate Catalog) Information on admission to the ILS undergraduate program is available at http://www.southernct.edu/ils/admissions/undergraduateadmissions/ Information on admission to the ILS graduate programs is available at http://www.southernct.edu/ils/admissions/graduateadmissions/ Preparing the MLS applicationApplying to ILS graduate programs is a two-level process: 1) department and 2) Graduate School. Graduate School portion of the process includes: 1) A completed Graduate School application form (available online), online application verification letter and application fee are to be mailed to Dean, School of Graduate Studies, Southern Connecticut State University, 501 Crescent Street, New Haven CT 06515-1355; and 2) Official transcripts of all college-level work are to be mailed from each college or university to Dean, School of Graduate Studies, Southern Connecticut State University, 501 Crescent Street, New Haven CT 06515-1355. ILS Department portion of the process: 1) A COPY of the completed Graduate School application form; 2) Official transcripts of all college-level work from each college or university attended; 3) Two or more 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; 4) A statement (250-500 words) describing why the applicant is interested in the intended program of study and career expectations from the professional degree; 5) A current resume; and 6) all required standardized test scores (such as GRE, PRAXIS, etc.). Complete department application packets, including official transcripts, test scores and waiver certificates, will be forwarded to the Admissions Committee. Incomplete applications will be withdrawn. Prospective students must submit all materials for ILS at the same time. Application materials should be mailed to the Department of Information and Library Science, Southern Connecticut State University, 501 Crescent Street, New Haven CT 06515. LETTERS OF PROFESSIONAL RECOMMENDATION. Contact individuals who can write letters describing what you would bring to the program in terms of scholarship, attitude, integrity, leadership, and service, illustrating assessments with examples of things you have accomplished. Your references should put letters of recommendation in sealed envelopes addressed to the department, sign across the sealed flap, and give them to you to include in your departmental admissions packet with your other materials. When asking a professor or employer or supervisor to write a letter of professional recommendation, do provide them with a copy of your updated resume. You may also want to suggest they address as many of the following qualities as they have knowledge and specific examples with which to support their observations: Again, each recommender should place their letter of recommendation in a separate envelope addressed to the department, seal the envelope and sign across the sealed flat; then mail or give the envelope to you to include in your application package. TRANSCRIPTS. Two copies of an official transcript is needed from each college or university you attended. The Graduate School wants one official transcript from each college or university mailed directly to Dean, School of Graduate Studies, Southern Connecticut State University, 501 Crescent Street, New Haven CT 06515-1355. The ILS Department requests that one official copy of each transcript be mailed to you and then you include all copies of transcripts, unopened, in your application package. TEST SCORES. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) If you are applying to the Master of Library Science or School Media Certification programs, register to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE); be sure to review the information on the GRE website and if you feel you need additional preparation, purchase a CD-ROM or paper study guide at a local bookstore and use it to prepare for the GRE. After you take the GRE, record the estimated scores you receive at the test site and include them in your admissions packet (the official scores will be sent directly to the university). (See http://www.gre.org) Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers (PRAXIS) If you are applying to the School Media program (for Connecticut certification) you will need to take the PRAXIS exam or obtain a letter of waiver. To schedule the Praxis exam, contact the Sylvan Learning Center (in Connecticut: Glastonbury 860-659-0400; Hamden 203-287-9677). You may register over the phone using a Visa or MasterCard; testing is at your convenience. Information is also available from Southern's School of Education, Davis Hall 106. (See http://www.praxis.org). If the College Board no longer has a candidate's SAT results on file, then the Bureau of Certification and Professional Development will accept the candidate's official high school transcript. The candidate should include a letter stating that their SAT results are no longer on file. In regards to PRAXIS I waiver reporting, at this time, the Bureau of Certification and Professional Development will mail official written notification of the PRAXIS I waiver to the candidate. The candidate will then be responsible for providing a copy of this letter to their attending institution. The new application for the waiver is on the Web site for the State Department of Education or in Davis 103. NOTE: As of July 1, 2007, the Connecticut State Board of Education has 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).. See Praxis I Waiver Criteria for minimum standards for an academic skills assessment waiver using the SAT, ACT, GRE, or PAA scores. Test of English as a Foreign Language Exam (TOEFL) All graduate applicants for whom English is a second language are required to take the GRE (quantitative and analytical writing sections) and TOEFL examinations. (See http://www.toefl.org) Reporting Test Scores PERSONAL ESSAY. The personal essay should consist of "A statement (250-500 words) describing why the applicant is interested in the intended program of study and career expectations from the professional degree" (p. 152, 2009-2010 Graduate Catalog). Please note, you should also include "A current resume" (p. 152, 2009-2010 Graduate Catalog).
APPLICATION FORM AND APPLICATION FEE. The Graduate School accepts both electronic and paper applications. Information on the Online Graduate Application is available on the Graduate School Website (http://www.southernct.edu/grad/). You may complete an interactive Graduate Application then submit a follow-up On-line Application Verification Letter with the application fee (currently $50). To obtain a printed Graduate Application form you may complete an interactive Information Request form or phone the Graduate School office at (203) 392-8950 or at 1-888-500-SCSU, then press 3. The undergraduate application form is available from Undergraduate Admissions (1-888-500-SCSU) or the interactive (online) Request Information. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. See Graduate School Catalog for additional information on graduate admissions and admissions to the ILS graduate programs. Admission to the M.L.S. program has been highly competitive. In the past, approximately 28 percent of the applicants have been admitted into the program. Those admitted had an average undergraduate GPA of 3.2 and average GRE scores of 550 (Verbal), 508 (Quantitative) [5.0 on the new scale], 543 (Analytical). Non-matriculated students can take up to 9 credits in the M.L.S., M.S., or Sixth Year programs. However, taking such courses does not give the applicant an advantage in the application process. New students and students who are not currently enrolled at SCSU must fill out a Request for Registration form to be able to register online. Students will be notified via email with instructions on how to register. It is very important to give a current and valid email address in order to receive this information. Requests are processed between 2 to three business days. Mailing the applicationComplete a final check to see that all materials needed for the application are gathered or have been requested. After all materials are gathered (or requested), mail your departmental application packet to the Department of Information and Library Science, 501 Crescent Street, New Haven CT 06515. Mail the Applications will not be forwarded to the Department Admissions Committee until all materials, including official transcripts and test scores or waiver certificates, are received. Incomplete applications will be rejected for admission or withdrawn after six months, at the discretion of the department. APPLICATION DEADLINE: Admission to Graduate Study at Southern"NOTE: Although several graduate programs send departmental letters of acceptance to applicants, no student is officially accepted into the Graduate School until he or she receives a letter of acceptance and a signed planned program of study from the Dean or Associate Dean of the Graduate School." par. 8, (http://www.southernct.edu/grad/admissions/admissionprocedures/) After recommendation of admission is received from the Department of Information and Library Science, a formal Planned Program for either the MLS or School Media, or Sixth Year Certificate must be submitted to the assigned advisor for approval and signature. The Planned Program will then be given to the Department Chairperson for approval and signature. "Your planned program will be forwarded to the Graduate Office, where all your records will be reviewed to be sure that all requirements have been met. If all is in order, you will receive a letter of acceptance to the Graduate School and a copy of your signed planned program." (par. 7, http://www.southernct.edu/grad/admissions/admissionprocedures/) Only after formal admission, including approval of the Planned Program of study, from the Graduate School are you matriculated into the MLS or MLS/SMS degree program. Paying for CollegeInformation on tution and fees as well as refund policy and financial planning can be found on the Bursar's Website at http://www.southernct.edu/bursar/. Southern's Financial Aid Resources |
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Last Modified
Wednesday, August 28, 2009
