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CAS in Digital Libraries

Admission Requirements

1. A master's degree in library and information science or a closely related field.
2. A grade-point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in master's-level coursework and in the last two years of undergraduate coursework, in which case GRE scores are not required. If an applicant's GPA is below a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, then GRE test scores are required. However, if an applicant has a JD or a PhD degree they would be exempt from the GRE requirement.
3. Letters of reference from three individuals, with at least one from a librarian/information scientist and the remainder from employers or teachers, including a representative of the library/information science program that granted the professional degree.
4. International applicants whose native language is not English must submit evidence of having passed the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 620 or higher (or 260 or higher for the computer-administered version; 104 or higher for the IBT). The test can be administered in the student's home country but should be arranged at least one year before the applicant expects to begin the program.

Note: The University's Division of English as an International Language offers courses to help currently enrolled Illinois graduate students whose native language is not English. These courses may be used to improve a student's language proficiency so that he or she is able to function as effectively as possible within the university environment. The division also operates an Intensive English Institute and the LinguaCenter, where other kinds of help may be obtained.

Prerequisite Knowledge

As a prerequisite for this degree, all students must master the content of LIS452 (Foundations of Information Processing in LIS ), LIS456 (Information Storage and Retrieval), and LIS590RO (Representing and Organizing Information Resources). If not already in the student's portfolio upon admission, these courses may be taken while at GSLIS as remedial courses that don't count toward the ten required CAS courses.

Submitting Admission Materials

Prospective students will need to apply to the Graduate College using the Web-based electronic application. NOTE: As this application is used by applicants to all of the graduate departments, we are tailoring it to fit our needs. After completing the online application (within which are instructions for submitting your letters of reference electronically), you are given two upload sections:

• In the first section, upload your resume.
• In the second section, upload your personal statement, which should be a 1000-1250 word essay, addressing your motivation for pursuing the CAS Concentration in Digital Libraries; any relevant knowledge and experience that you will bring to advanced study in this area; your long-term career goals in the digital library domain; and an outline of a proposed program of study, including a digital library project that you might want to undertake as part of your program.

As your transcripts come directly to GSLIS from the University, you should not have to mail anything in. Have your educational institution(s) send your transcripts to us directly at:

GSLIS
501 E. Daniel St.
Champaign, IL 61820-6211

The University no longer prints paper applications. If for some reason you are unable to apply electronically, they will accept paper applications for now, but this may change soon. To apply via mail, print the application and mail it--along with a check or money order (US$60 for Domestic; US$75 for International) payable to the University of Illinois--to:

Graduate Admissions
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
309 Coble Hall
801 S. Wright St.
Champaign, IL 61820