The UCLA Department of Information Studies offers a very rich and distinctive environment in which to pursue your graduate education.

Admissions

Students are admitted to the program only during the fall quarter. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, from an institution of recognized standing. The department also requires a statement of purpose, résumé, and letters of recommendation.

The UCLA Department of Information Studies offers a very rich and distinctive environment in which to pursue your graduate education. In writing your statement, please consider the vision of the Department and indicate why you believe that this program and its areas of specialization are a good match for your particular background, experience, outlook, professional interests, and personal passions and aspirations. Your statement should also include any additional information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and your aptitude for graduate study in the Department.

In addition, the Department requires satisfaction of the following entrance requirement:

A college-level course in statistics (three semester units or four quarter units) taken within the last five years with a minimum grade of “C.” The course must have covered descriptive and inferential statistics.

This entrance requirement should be completed before beginning the MLIS program. It is highly recommended that applicants not wait for notification of admission before enrolling in a statistics course.

The requirement may be satisfied in the fall quarter of the student’s first year. Failure to complete the requirement by the end of the first quarter will result in a recommendation of termination of student status. Please note that fulfilling the requirement may require an overload in the first quarter of the first year or a longer time to degree.

Application Materials: Checklist and Details

The UCLA Graduate Division accepts only online applications.

Please review the Step-by-Step Admissions Guide.

All of the following items must be uploaded to the appropriate area of the online application:

• Statement of Purpose
• Resume or CV
• Letters of Recommendation: You must enter the names and other information about your recommenders in the online application.
• Fellowship Application: Review the criteria for each fellowship, and if you are qualified, complete the appropriate section(s).
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Applicants whose native language is not English must certify their proficiency in English by submitting scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) [University code: 4837; Department code: 90], or from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). These tests are required of all applicants whose native language is not English. You are responsible for arranging to take these examinations and having official scores sent to the Department. Language Requirements.

Fall 2024 Admissions Information Sessions

Fall 2025 Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) Online Information Sessions can be found here.

Special Instructions for Applicants to Cooperative Degree Programs

MLIS/M.A. Latin American Studies File a UCLA application (part A), indicating the appropriate program code: M.A. Latin American Studies/MLIS (CAA). All supporting materials (transcripts, test scores, statement of purpose, etc.) should be sent to both IS and the other department. Adhere to Latin American Studies (November 30) application deadline.

MLIS/M.B.A. File the John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management (AGSM) application for admission indicating the program code (ABA). Submit a copy of the application to IS. All supporting materials (transcripts, test scores, statement of purpose, etc.) should be sent to both IS and AGSM. The GRE is not required for this program; the results of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) are used in making admissions decisions.

Contact the Ed&IS Office of Student Services at (310) 825-5269 if you have questions about application procedures. Check the status of your application at the Graduate Admissions website. All documents received by the department will be entered at that site as soon as possible. Decisions will also be posted at the Graduate Division site.