Faculty of Management
School of Information Management
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6100 UNIVERSITY AVE. HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA CANADA B3H 4R2

Applying to the MLIS program at SIM

Applicants can choose to apply either online OR by mailing a paper application to the Registrar and SIM.

An incomplete application will not be processed — to help us process your application promptly please ensure that you complete the checklist below. If applying to more than one program, you must submit separate applications, fees, and required documents for each program.   

For paper applications: For online applications:

Send to Registrar's Office:

Send to SIM:

Submit online:

    Send to SIM:

    Print this checklist to ensure you have submitted all required components.

    The deadline for all Canadian applicants is April 1st (March 1st for scholarship consideration); the deadline for all International applicants is January 1st.  View detailed application deadline information.

    For more detailed Admission information please visit our FAQ page.
       

    Graduate Studies Application Form -top-
    If you are submitting a paper application you must complete the Graduate Studies Application form which can be downloaded on the Faculty of Graduate Studies application page.  Please submit this form to the Registrar's Office.

       
    Online Application

    -top-

    If you are applying online you can begin the application process on the Faculty of Graduate Studies application page.  You can pay your application fee online by credit card, as well as submit your referee names for the Confidential Reference Letters.

       
    Application Fee -top-
    The non-refundable application fee of $70 (Canadian) is to be paid to the Registrar’s Office for each application submitted.  Your application will not be processed without receipt of the application fee. Please pay using one of the approved methods below; cash will not be accepted:
         • Canada & US: cheque, money order, bank draft, credit card, or in person by Interact
         • International: bank draft or credit card (Canadian or U.S. funds only)

       
    Transcripts -top-
    Applicants are required to submit at least two copies of all final official transcripts from each university attended.  Transcripts are to be sent by each issuing institution directly to SIM. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all transcripts are sent.  If time is a consideration, you may submit the official transcripts in sealed and endorsed envelopes along with the rest of your application.

       
    Confidential Reference Letters -top-
    SIM requires a minimum of two academic letters of reference; additional work references may be provided. Applicants who have been out of university for over 5 years may substitute professional/work references for the academic references, although at least one academic reference is strongly encouraged.

    Paper applications: Confidential Reference Letter forms are required for all paper applications.  Please ask that your referees place their references in an envelope, endorse it across the back seal, and return to you.  Do not open the envelope.  Alternately, your referee can endorse the letter and mail it directly to SIM.

    Online applications: When applying online you can use the Electronic reference (e-ref) system. The Referee will be sent an email and directed to a secure website to complete the reference form. Please note, Dal will only accept electronic references from university email addresses (ie not professional/work emails, Gmail, etc). Please allow 5 business days after submission for the referees to be contacted by our system.

    If your referee(s) have not been emailed about their reference you can contact SIM's Admin Assistant (sim@dal.ca) to have the information resent.
       

    Essay -top-

    In a 3–6 page double-spaced essay, discuss the following points:

    • Tell us about your MLIS Program goals. How will SIM help you achieve them?
    • What are the strengths you would bring to the MLIS Program and to the IM profession?
    • Opportunities to perform management functions and to assume leadership roles abound in the IM field. Explain your perception of these opportunities, and how they will shape your future as a professional.
    • Most professional occupations rely on team work. Demonstrate how your participation on a team has contributed to the success of a team’s objective.
    • New information technologies shape changes in the profession. How do you view technological advancements affecting you as a student? As a professional?
    • In reference to the IT Competencies section please explain your level of competency. If you do not currently have these required competencies, indicate how you plan to meet the requirements before January of your first year in the Program.
    • The IM field is a dynamic and changing environment; provide evidence of your adaptability in a changing context.
    • Describe how your prior work experience (part-time or full-time; paid or voluntary) in any setting has shaped your MLIS goals.
    • Explain any gaps or deficiencies in your academic record, or any other factors you wish to have taken into account.
         

    Résumé -top-
    Please include a current résumé.

       
    Evidence of English Language Competency -top-
    Candidates whose mother tongue is NOT English are required to demonstrate a working and a reading knowledge of English.  The standard test is the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).  The School sets a minimum acceptable score of 600.  Minimum scores for other tests are listed below.  The General Certificate in Education in the English Language at the Ordinary or Advanced Level is also acceptable.

    Test Required Score Website
    TOEFL

    Computer: 250
    Internet-based: 100
    TWE: 5.5
    Paper: 600

    		 www.toefl.org
    MELAB 95 http://www.lsa.umich.edu/eli/
    IELTS 8.0 www.ielts.org
    CAEL 70 www.cael.ca

    A TOEFL score may be waived if you have a completed university degree from an accredited institution in which the language of instruction is English