Information for Prospective Students

Application Deadlines for Autumn 2010

MLIS Residential

• Deadline for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents: February 1 
• International Applicants (who have or will need student F-1 visas): November 1

MLIS Online

• Deadline for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents: February 1
• International applicants are eligible to apply to the Online program, and are not required to have student F-1 visas, but are required to come to Seattle for a 4-day orientation meeting using a visitor visa or passport: November 1

Admission to either MLIS program option (residential or online) is for Autumn Quarter only. All application materials must be post-marked by the indicated deadline. *Note that the MLIS application opens annually on September 1 for the following Autumn Quarter's admission; please wait until this time to apply as the application undergoes changes each year.  If you are interested in applying for Autumn Quarter 2010, the online application is now open as of Sept 1, 2009. 

Requirements for Admission

All applicants to the MLIS program must meet the following basic requirements:

• Bachelors degree or higher (must be equivalent to a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution)  
• Grade point average of 3.0 or higher (some exceptions considered)

Application Checklist

• Prepare materials for online application.
• Apply online.
  • Complete the UW Graduate School online application online.
    This application includes the statement of purpose, resume/cv, supplemental questions and letters of recommendation.
  • Pay the application fee ($65 USD).
• Mail other application materials. 
  • Request that official GRE scores (or LSAT scores for Law MLIS applicants) be sent to the Information School. Applicants with an earned doctorate (PhD, JD, MD) are not required to submit GRE scores.
  • Request that official transcripts from all relevant institutions of higher education be sent directly to the Information School.
  • Request that recommendations be sent directly to the Information School.
  • International students must follow the additional requirements below.

Law MLIS Applicants

When applying to the Law MLIS program, applicants should select (Residential) Master of Library & Information Science as the program of application during the initial set-up of the online Graduate School application. A few screens into the online application you will be prompted to indicate that you are applying for the Law MLIS program. Simply type in "Yes."

Applicants with an earned doctorate (PhD, MD, JD) are not required to submit GRE scores; however, you must submit LSAT scores.

International Applicants

An international student is defined as any person who is not a U.S. citizen and does not hold a U.S. Permanent Resident Visa. The definition of an international student also includes those who hold U.S. visas, such as an F-1 visa, exchange visitors, and other non-immigrant classifications.

For international applicants interested in the residential MLIS program, all application materials must be received by November 1 because of increased processing time required.

The Online MLIS program can support international students because the coursework is 100% online.  International applicants to the Online MLIS program are not required to have F-1 (student) visas.  However international students must be able to travel to Seattle for the 4-day Online MLIS Orientation Week in late September during their first year in the program.  To do so international students may use a visitor's visa or their passport, and should indicate that the purpose of the visit is to attend an on-site meeting or holiday.

For more information, please refer to the UW Graduate School's Admissions page.

International applicants must submit additional required materials to the Graduate School.

UW Graduate School mailing address:
University of Washington
Office of Graduate Admissions
Box 84808*
Room 301, Loew Hall
Seattle, WA  98124-6108

*If using a shipping service that does not deliver to PO Box numbers, just delete "Box 84808" from the address and the UW Office of Graduate Admissions should receive your package.

Tuition Overview

See Tuition Information for both the residential MLIS and Online MLIS program options.

More Information

View the MLIS Admissions Brochure or join our mailing list.

View the MLIS Technology Requirements and the Information Technology Literacy Requirements.

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If you have questions about the application process, please contact the Information School’s Office of Student and Academic Services (OSAS) by e-mail at mlis@washington.edu or by phone at 206-543-1794. Thanks for your interest!