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Applicants for admission to the doctoral program must hold a master's degree from an ALA-accredited program in library and information science or a master's degree from a recognized institution in a related area.
Admission Requirements 
Applicants are expected to submit a completed application file that includes the following:
- Completed application form or online application.
- Non-refundable application fee of $50 (make checks payable to Simmons College, or, to pay by credit card, use the online application).
- Comprehensive and updated curriculum vitae
- Statement of purpose (1,500-2,000 words)
- Official transcript(s) of all academic work
- Three professional and/or academic references (LIS & MLIP differ: check application form and use recommender form)
- Current (past 5 years) results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- Current (past 2 years) results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), if English is not the native language of the applicant
Guidelines for preparing and submitting these materials are included in the application form. There is one application form for both the Ph.D./Library and Information Science and the Ph.D. focused on managerial leadership in the information professions. At the top of the form applicants must designate the program they are applying for.
After all admissions material has been received, exceptional candidates will be selected for interviews with the Committee on Doctoral Studies and/or program faculty and staff. Committee reflections on the interview will be added to the application file. Expenses related to the interview are the responsibility of the candidate. It is preferred that the interview be conducted at Simmons College, but GSLIS is prepared to be flexible. For further information on the interview process please see the application form. Admissions decisions are based on a composite of all documentation in the application file.
Application Deadline
Completed applications must be received no later than February 1. Applications will be processed after December 1.
Tuition and Costs
Tuition: $985 per credit (current through Summer 2009)
After completion of required coursework, doctoral students are required to pay 1 credit each term to maintain their doctoral status until they complete their dissertation. To graduate, students must register and pay for the 3-credit Dissertation course (LIS 699) in the same semester they successfully defend their dissertation.
* MLIP Students are eligible for tuition support (see Financial Aid below)
Student Fees: $30 per semester
Financial Aid
Eligible U.S. citizens and permanent residents accepted to the PhD/MLIP program (See Funding Eligibility Requirements for details) for a Summer 2010 start will receive full tuition support for the entire duration of their time in the program as well as a travel stipend. Accepted students who do not meet the eligibility requirements as put forth by the IMLS may receive, but are not guaranteed, any financial assistance.
Doctoral fellowships are currently available through a new eight-campus initiative for individuals who are interested in pursuing careers as educators and scholars in the field of Archival Studies and who would be entering a doctoral program in Fall 2010.
Other PhD/LIS students and citizens of other nations may be eligible for partial tuition support. Please contact us [gslis@simmons.edu] directly for further information.
For U.S. citizens and permanent residents, the options for financial assistance include federal loans, private loans, and grants. Awards vary from year to year depending on the number of applicants, their financial need, and available resources. We encourage applicants to apply for financial aid at the same time they apply to the school.
Graduate students must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), a Simmons Supplemental Information Form, and any additional supporting documents that may be required. Deadlines for financial aid application are March 1 for summer and fall terms, and October 1 for spring. Graduate students must maintain at least half-time enrollment status (five credits for fall and spring semesters and six credits for summer semester) to qualify for need-based aid.
Please note: FAFSA print applications typically take four to six weeks to process. Filing your FAFSA online expedites the processing time. You can file FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The federal school code for Simmons is 002208.
Please see Student Financial Services for more information about applying for aid as well as forms.
See Also
See Also
Questions?
Please contact the Doctoral Studies Program Manager at (617) 521-2829 or email us if you have a question about the Ph.D. degree application process, program or the school.
Apply Now
Funding Eligibility Requirements
Download the Ph.D. Application Form
