Admissions Information

Requirements for Admission to the Masters Program

Graduate Student Handbook 2011-2012 (pdf)

Applicants with a final undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores above the fifty percentile will be considered as potential candidates for admission to the MS Program. Admission is competitive and most students have higher GPAs. GRE test scores are accepted within five years of the testing date. Applicants who have completed twelve hours of graduate course work toward a graduate degree from an accredited American institution and have earned a 3.0 grade point average are not required to take the GRE examination. International applicants are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

With the exception noted below, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all applicants because it is a good predictor of success in the School and in the Information Science professions. The verbal and analytical writing scores are of particular interest since the Information Sciences require strong communication skills. Applicants who have completed twelve hours of work toward a graduate degree with a 3.0 grade point average at an accredited American institution are exempt from the the GRE requirement.

Prospective students are strongly encouraged to visit the School and speak with the director and the student services coordinator before the application is completed.

Rolling Admissions: The school accepts applications on a rolling admissions basis until the incoming class is full. Review of completed applications begins in January of each year. All students are admitted in the fall semester only.

Application Procedures

Listed below are the procedures to be completed prior to the review of an application to the M.S. degree program.

1. Make application for admission to the UT Graduate School and pay a $60 application fee. The application form is available on the UT Graduate Admissions website. For more information about applying to the UT Graduate School, contact UT Graduate Admissions, University of Tennessee, 201 Student Services Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0230; (865) 974-3251.
2. A written statement of one's career objectives is a part of the online application.
3. Through the online UT application, contact three persons qualified to judge academic qualities and have each person complete a Rating Form. A recommendation letter can also be attached to this form, if desired.
4. Request that one copy of official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended be sent to Graduate Admissions, 201 Student Services Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0220. Please do not send transcripts directly to the School of Information Sciences. This will cause a delay in the application process.
5. Take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) in advance of application for admission to the degree program. Application forms for the GRE can be obtained online from www.ets.org/gre. Written examination results reach the university approximately six weeks after the written examination. You may take the examination by computer through Sylvan Learning Centers nationwide each month. Contact the center nearest you for information on dates and fee. Computer examination results are provided to the examinee at the conclusion of the examination and these results reach the university approximately 10 to 15 days after the examination. Official GRE scores must be sent to the Graduate Student Services, not the School.
6. Submission of all materials must be completed before the application is reviewed.

Admission of International Students

SIS accepts qualified international students from a wide range of countries, institutions, and backgrounds. The deadline for submission of applications for UT Graduate School and the SIS program is February 1. Admission must be granted and degree confirmation received prior to issuance of an I-20 or DS2019 form needed to obtain a visa.

The Graduate School will not issue these forms after May 15 for fall admission. SIS requires a minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper test and a minimum TOEFL score of 213 on the computer version or 80 for the internet-based test (IBT). The scores on all parts of the TOEFL are considered, especially the score for listening comprehension. The score must be no more than two years old, however, TOEFL tests are waived if a student has graduated from an accredited U.S. institution within the last two years. See the Graduate School for additional information.

An international student may not enroll as a non-degree student.

International students who are seeking admission to the degree program of the School of Information Sciences should consult the Application Guide for International Students, available from UT Graduate Admissions, (865) 974–3251. An estimate of expenses for international students can be found at the Center for International Education.

Transfer and Substitution of Credits

At least 33 hours must be taken within the School of Information Sciences curriculum, and up to 9 hours can be taken outside of the School, including a maximum of 6 hours outside the college. No more than 6 hours may be taken from another university. Graduate hours in library and information science from programs not accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) are not accepted for transfer credit. Courses taken at another academic institution must be approved by the advisor and demonstrate strong linkage to an information science career.

To be transferred into a master’s program at the University of Tennessee, a course must:

1. Be taken for graduate credit.
2. Carry a grade of B or better.
3. Be a part of a graduate program in which the student had a B average.
4. Not have been used for a previous degree.
5. Be specifically related to the student’s career objectives.
6. Be approved by the student’s graduate committee and the director of the School on the Admission to Candidacy form.
7. Must be taken within six calendar years of graduation.

Credits transferred will not be counted in the student’s UT grade point average.

Procedures

1. The student submits a Request to Transfer or Substitution of Credits form (see forms) to their advisor. The request must include a written rationale for the transfer and a course syllabus that clearly indicates topics covered, assigned readings, and course assignments. Students who request substitution for a required course must also specify the SIS course for which the substitution will apply. Students must submit a separate form for each course they desire to transfer or substitute.
2. Advisors consult with an appropriate faculty member or the director to determine if the course qualifies for transfer.
3. The Request for Transfer or Substitution of Credits form must be signed by the student’s advisor, the consulting faculty member, and the director. This form goes into the student’s file.
4. When approved, students include the transfer courses on their Admission to Candidacy Form.

Fees

University fees are determined by the Board of Trustees and are subject to change. For current tuition and fee rates, see the University of Tennessee Bursar's Office or call (865) 974–3251.

Academic Common Market

An agreement for sharing graduate programs among southern states allows legal residents of Arkansas, Virginia, and West Virginia to enroll in SIS on an in-state tuition basis. The Academic Common Market is available to distance education students. For more information, contact Norma Harrington at nharring@utk.edu.

Academic Advising

SIS has a formal Academic Advising Policy. Please familiarize yourself with the protocol related to advising at SIS.