The School of Information Sciences welcomes applicants from across North America to its master's degree and certificate programs. SIS classes are conducted online with a mixture of synchronous (live) and asynchronous sessions, depending on the course. All online students, regardless of location, receive in-state tuition.

Requirements

Applicants to the School of Information Sciences must satisfy the following criteria:

1. Possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university.
2. Have an undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 or better or possess another degree beyond the bachelor's degree. Applicants with an undergraduate grade point average between 2.50 and 2.74 can satisfy this requirement by one of the Alternative Admissions methods.
3. Meet the technology requirements and competencies of the degree or certificate program you are applying for.
4. MLIS and Certificate Students: Meet the MLIS Technology Requirements.
5. MSIS Students: Meet the MSIS Technology Requirements and MSIS Technical Competencies.
6. Submit a Statement of Purpose (pdf)
   a. MLIS and Certificate Students: Submit a Statement of Purpose reflecting relevant personal and academic background and experience. The statement should be a minimum of 250 words and a maximum of 500 words (1-2 pages).
   b. MSIS Students: Submit a Statement of Purpose addressing your experience and familiarity with the required technical competencies needed for admission to the Master of Science in Information Science (MSIS) degree. The statement should be a minimum of 250 words and a maximum of 500 words (1-2 pages).
7. Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
8. MLIS and MSIS students are expected to complete an orientation. This was previously required prior to taking the first course. As of Fall 2024, the orientation will take place in INF 6010.
9. Letters of Recommendation are NOT REQUIRED. They are simply an option within WSU's standard Graduate Application.

Joint Degree Program Admissions

Applicants interested in the joint Master of Library and Information Science and MA in History (MLIS/MA) or joint Master of Library and Information Science and MA in Public History (MLIS/MAPH) degree programs should follow the joint degree program admissions procedures.

Transfer Credit

Applicants with previous graduate-level course work in library and information science or another discipline may be eligible to transfer in credits. For complete details and requirements, please consult our Transfer Credit policy.

Recommended Application Dates for Admission

For Fall classes beginning early September by July 1
For Winter classes beginning early January by November 1
For Spring classes beginning early May by April 1

For international students, the application form and all transcripts and documents must be on file in the Graduate Enrollment Services at least four months before the start of the term in which the applicant plans to begin graduate studies.

For additional information on Graduate School Admission, refer to the Wayne State University Graduate Bulletin.

How to Apply