The School functions within the Faculty of Graduate Studies and its entrance requirements meet the standards of this Faculty. Candidates for the MLIS must hold a four-year Bachelor's Degree with at least a second class standing (B average, 3.0 GPA) from a university recognized by the Senate of Dalhousie University. An academic level of a high B+ (3.3 GPA) or better is generally held by successful applicants.

Please note: Acceptance to the MLIS program can never be guaranteed even if the minimum requirements are met, as ours is an extremely competitive limited enrolment program.
   

Candidates for the MLIS must hold a four-year Bachelor's Degree with at least a second class standing (B average, 3.0 GPA) from a university recognized by the Senate of Dalhousie University.

Course-work in almost any area can be of benefit to information professionals and SIM welcomes students from all intellectual backgrounds.
   

To achieve its objectives, the School seeks to recruit the person who:

• Is a potential leader in the field of information management
• Brings a passion for service to all information management roles
• Is a critical thinker who continually examines their own assumptions about the information professions
• Demonstrates a commitment to the values of the information professions and an understanding of societal values affecting the organization, retrieval, evaluation and use of information and ideas
• Draws upon prior work experience gained in any setting
     

Official transcripts from Dalhousie (or the former TUNS) are not required from current or previous Dalhousie students.
   

If you have permanent resident status in Canada, please enclose proof with your application. International student fees will be charged if proof is not provided.
   

• MLIS : Master of Library and Information Studies
• MLIS/JD: Master of Library and Information Studies with Juris Doctor (law)
• MLIS/MPA : Master of Library and Information Studies with Mater of Public Administration
• MLIS/MREM: Master of Library and Information Studies with Master of Resource and Environmental Management
     

The registration category for non-program students taking graduate classes is Special Student-Graduate Studies (SSGS). SSGS candidates must apply by completing three copies of the Graduate Studies Application—Part A. They must also have at least two copies of all official transcripts of their academic record sent by each issuing institution directly to SIM. Forms may be found on the Registrar’s Office site.
   

The MLIS Program is designed for fall admission.

In special circumstances, the School may admit, in January, applicants who transfer from another Library & Information Studies (LIS) program, or applicants with considerable experience in the field.

Application deadline for those who meet January admission intake criteria: October 31 
   

SIM accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. Early applications are strongly advised.

Please note: Only complete applications received by the deadlines below will be considered.

September admissions:

• January 1: Deadline for international applications
• March 1: Deadline for scholarship consideration
• April 1: Deadline for Canadian applications

January admissions: see January intake criteria
   

Yes. Full-time students starting the MLIS Program in September who have a GPA of 3.7 or higher will be considered for funding.  For further details, please refer to the MLIS Financial Assistance page. Applicants hoping for funding must have their complete applications in by the March 1st deadline.
Please note: part-time students do not qualify for funding.
   

If your application is complete at the time of submission it will be forwarded immediately to the SIM’s Admissions and Scholarship Committee. The Admissions and Scholarship Committee reviews all MLIS applications. In the event that a place in the MLIS Program is to be offered to an applicant, SIM sends an informal offer to the applicant via email, and a recommendation of acceptance to the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS). FGS reviews all recommendations. Formal notification of acceptance to the MLIS Program is sent by mail from the Office of the Registrar.

Incomplete applications are held by SIM’s Administrative Assistant until missing components are received. Once complete, applications are forwarded to SIM’s Admissions and Scholarship Committee.
Please note: incomplete applications will not be processed.
   

SIM accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the year which means that the Admissions and Scholarship Committee reviews complete applications as they arrive.  Decisions made on complete applications are communicated to applicants shortly after the Committee’s review. Questions about the processing of an application should be directed to the School's Administrative Assistant.
Please note: incomplete applications will not be processed.
   

The cost of tuition varies depending on your status as a student (i.e.: full-time, part-time, audit, etc.) and how many courses you take per term.  Students who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents are required by Government regulation to pay an additional fee referred to as a “differential fee”.
A non-refundable registration deposit of $200 is required by all new students; this will be applied against tuition fees.
For further detail, refer to Dal’s Money Matters “Tuition, Fees & Costs” page.
   

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There may be costs for books and specialized online software subscriptions (other than those provided by Dalhousie Libraries).
   

MLIS courses rely heavily on information technology through the use of databases, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software. To ensure successful completion of the MLIS program, students entering the program are expected to have the following basic technology skills either before entering the Program or by the end of the first term. Competency courses are offered year-round from University Computing and Information Services' Computer Training at Dalhousie.

The Faculty of Management computer labs use standard Windows versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.

Basic technology skills are as follows:

• Working knowledge of basic computer operations (e.g., running programs, creating, managing, printing files, etc.).
• Ability to proficiently use Windows Explorer and perform routine application functions (running programs from the network, saving work, file copying and duplication, using external drives, local and network drives, etc.). 
• Proficient word processing skills, including creating, formatting, editing, and printing. 
• An understanding of spreadsheet and presentation software. 
• Experience using the internet (e.g., using search engines, browsing and bookmarking websites, downloading files, and printing files). 
• Proficient use of email and real-time communication applications (e.g., instant messaging), including sending, replying, and receiving messages, and adding and opening attachments. 
• Knowledge of a wide range of online information resources and technologies (e.g., blogs, wikis, social networking sites, social tagging sites, etc.). 
• Familiarity with basic HTML code. 
• Ability to proficiently use the basic functions of database management systems (e.g., Microsoft Office 2007 applications).
  • Database management systems (DBMS) are used by organizations to control the data they generate and provide efficient access methods to large volumes of these data. A DBMS is usually developed to facilitate the gathering, organization, storage, and dissemination of data throughout an organization.

Experience with other computer applications is advantageous. Knowledge of graphic design and photo editing tools is a definite asset, especially as they relate to the preparation and manipulation of images for the web. In certain courses, students may be expected to possess or obtain an understanding of applications and/or languages not included in these basic requirements (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver and XML, CSS, and XHTML).
   

In some cases, the Admissions and Scholarships Committee may decide to interview a candidate.
   

Please contact SIM's Administrative Assistant (sim@dal.ca).