Degree & Licensure | Internship | Distance Education Orientation
Technology Recommendations | Portfolio Overview | Scholarships
Admission to the Program
The Library Science Program adheres to the admissions standards adopted by the ECU Graduate School.The ECU Graduate School minimum GPA for admissions is 2.7.Admissions decisions are based on consideration of undergraduate academic record, graduate record if applicable, test scores on either the GRE or MAT, written statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation.
Though no applicant who falls below the ECU Graduate School minimum admission requirements is guaranteed admission to the MLS program, ECU Graduate School policy allows requests for admission by exception. The Graduate School makes final decisions on these requests and recommends that the percentage of admissions by exception not exceed 10% of admissions each semester.
These guidelines will be used to inform decisions at the program level about when to request admissions by exception:
- Above-minimum GPA
- Above-minimum GRE/MAT
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- Quantitative & Verbal above 30th percentile
- One section below 30th percentile requires special justification
- Both sections below 30th percentile, student is not admissible
- MAT 386 is 30th percentile
- Mitigating circumstances to explain lower GPA with evidence that those circumstances have changed.
- Completed graduate degree from a regionally-accredited institution or completed graduate work without a degree
- Field experience in a library or other information center
- Strong recommendations from experienced librarians or other information professionals
- Evidence of successful leadership experience
Applying to the Program
To apply to the Master of Library Science (MLS) program, a prospective student must follow the application guidelines as specified athttp://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/gradschool/applicationinfo.cfm. Transcripts from all institutions that a student attended as an undergraduate are required. In addition, a prospective student must take either the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) http://www.ets.org or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) http://www.milleranalogies.com.
A prospective student who does not hold school media licensure, but has a previous graduate degree in library science, may apply as a non-degree student in order to complete courses required for school media coordinator licensure. A prospective applicant who holds an undergraduate degree or graduate degree in another discipline must complete the full MLS degree requirements.
A complete application to the MLS program includes the following:
- A completed, signed Application for Admission to Graduate Instruction form
- Official transcripts(s) from school(s) attended
- Three letters of reference from persons who can attest to the applicant's academic competence or ability to do graduate work
- A completed Statement of Purpose essay that addresses the applicant's academic and professional goals and the reason for seeking a degree in the MLS program. The essay should include a description of the expectations of the program, as well as any related qualifications, including talents, skills, dispositions, collegiate and professional accomplishments, community activities, and other personal achievements.
For questions regarding application procedures, contact the Graduate Advisor at 252-328-4373.
Costs and Financial Aid
Tuition costs for ECU distance education courses are available at http://www.ecu.edu/cs-admin/financial_serv/cashier/tufee.cfm.
Students taking courses in the MLS program may apply for financial aid. Sources for aid may be found through ECU's Office of Financial Aid http://www.ecu.edu/financial and via the College Foundation of North Carolina http://cfnc.org.
Students receiving financial aid need to register for at least six hours per semester. Dropping a course when receiving aid may have a negative financial impact.For questions regarding financial aid, contact the Financial Aid Office at 252-328-4347.
