Admissions

Application for admission to the Ph.D. program in Information Studies must be made in compliance with procedures established by the UCLA Graduate Division. Statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, resumes/CVs, and writing samples must be submitted online.

Step-by-Step Guide to Information Studies Ph.D. Admissions

Application Materials: Checklist and Details

Departmental Entrance Requirements

The Department has identified one entrance requirement, which should be completed by the time the student begins the Ph.D. program: a college-level course in statistics (3 semester-units or 4 quarter-units) taken within the last five years, with a minimum grade of “C.” There is no specific programming requirement for doctoral students. Applicants should have general knowledge of and basic experience in the use of computers (e.g., word processing, statistics, online searches, spreadsheets, graphics, and web browsing). However, the Department requires that admitted students attend an MIT Lab Orientation Session to familiarize themselves with department-, school-, and university-wide platforms and applications.

Statement of Purpose

Write the statement of purpose carefully. The statement should describe one or more proposed areas of specialization, reasons for interest in those areas, and qualifications for pursuing them. Suggesting topics for your own future research is a welcome sign; identification of specific courses is usually not helpful, unless such courses relate to research goals. The statement of purpose is also used to determine whether the specializations provided by the doctoral program are appropriate to the applicant’s needs. The applicant is encouraged to identify Information Studies faculty whose areas of research are of special interest.

Resume or CV

A standard résumé or curriculum vitae (CV) should also be included.

Evidence of Research and Writing

Evidence of research and writing is also required in the form of published work, a master’s thesis, or two other research papers, such as conference presentations or course papers written solely by the applicant. Submission must be in English.

Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required. Of the three letters, submit at least one, preferably two, from individuals who hold the Ph.D., have conducted research, and have published in library and information science or a related field. In most cases, letters from faculty, rather than supervisors or co-workers, provide the most useful assessment of your intellectual abilities and potential for research and writing. You must enter the names and other information about your recommenders in the online application.

Fellowship Application

Official Transcripts

Applicants must submit one copy of official transcripts from all academic institutions attended beyond secondary school. Transcripts must be sent to the Department directly from the institutions or collected in sealed envelopes. Transcripts must be sent to: Student Affairs Office, Information Studies, 207 GSE&IS Bldg., Box 951520, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1520. You can order official transcripts online. The name of the Ph.D. program is Information Studies, and the degree code for the doctoral program is 045A.

Forms for Ordering Official Transcripts

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores from within the last five years are required of all applicants. There is no minimum score for the GRE, but high scores are regarded favorably. Admitted students typically score above the 75th percentile in all areas: Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical. Be sure to schedule the examination and to have the scores forwarded to the Department by the application deadline. Computerized testing, now available at numerous locations throughout the U.S., is offered year-round, three days a week — visit the website below and input: University code: 4837; Department code: 4701.

Graduate Record Examinations Information

Professional Contributions

Favorable consideration may be given to applicants who have made distinguished contributions to the profession while working as a practicing professional, for instance in publications and/or work with professional societies.

Interview

Applicants will be contacted if the admissions committee wishes to arrange an interview. The committee seeks evidence of an appreciation of research and knowledge of potential research topics. The committee will be particularly interested in the applicant’s commitment to a career in information studies education and research, signs of originality and inquisitiveness, and good communication skills.

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.

Only those applicants who hold a bachelor’s or higher degree from a university in a country where the official language is English and in which English is the spoken tongue and the medium of instruction, or who have completed at least two years of full-time study at such an institution, will be exempted from submitting TOEFL/IELTS scores.

English Requirements