Return to: PhD/MLIP Program Information or PhD/LIS Program Information
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 (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)
- Results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- 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 have been received, exceptional candidates will be selected for interviews with the Committee on Doctoral Studies and/or program faculty and staff. 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. Applicants will be informed of their status no later than April 1. Applications will be processed after December 1.
Simmons GSLIS is one of only nine schools participating in a special doctoral Spectrum Fellowship initiative sponsored by the American Library Association. It is a competitive initiative providing full financial support and leadership resources to selected full-time doctoral students representing American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander communities. Please note that potential Spectrum scholars must apply for the
Spectrum Fellowship separately by January 18th. See:
http://www.ala.org/spectrumphd/.
Tuition and Costs
Tuition: $937 per credit (current through Summer 2008)
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 accepted for a Summer 2008 start are eligible for tuition support (see Financial Aid below)
Student Fees: $30 per semester
Travel, Accommodation, Meals: All students are required to finance their own travel, accommodations and meals while in Boston (or other locations for the MLIP program), except for select meals provided by the program as part of program events.
Financial Aid
U.S. citizens and permanent residents accepted to the PhD/MLIP program for a Summer 2008 start will receive full tuition support for the first four semesters (estimated 24 credits), through Summer 2009. It is anticipated that full or partial tuition support will be available for an 12 additional credits, but it is not guaranteed at this time.
PhD/LIS students may be eligible for a Spectrum Fellowship. Simmons GSLIS is one of only nine schools participating in a special doctoral Spectrum Fellowship initiative sponsored by the American Library Association. It is a competitive initiative providing full financial support and leadership resources to selected full-time doctoral students representing American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander communities. Please note that potential Spectrum Scholars must apply by January 1st.
Citizens of other nations and PhD/LIS students 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.
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