MI Admission

Rutgers’ Master of Information (MI) program is competitive, requires 36 credits and must be completed within three years. The program offers two methods of course delivery:

• On campus/hybrid, with classes offered at Rutgers’ New Brunswick campus
• Fully online

Admission is based on:

• Prior academic performance at an accredited academic institution
• GRE scores, if applicable
• Professional work experience
• Two letters of recommendation
• A personal statement
• Résumé/CV

• Official Transcripts of Previous Academic Work
  Send official transcripts to:
  Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions
  Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
  56 Bevier Road
  ASB Annex I
  Piscataway, NJ 08854 U.S.A.
  
  International Students: We require all transcripts to be evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member. Please refer to the International Students section below.
• GRE Scores
  You do NOT need to take the GRE if you have a cumulative undergraduate average of 3.0 or higher or you have completed an advanced degree (e.g. Masters; JD; Ph.D.). If a student meets either of the GRE waiver requirements they will be automatically exempt from needing to provide GRE scores. No further action is necessary. If your GPA is below 3.0, you must take the GRE. To send your GRE scores to Rutgers, use institution code 2790.
• Recommendations
  Two professional or academic letters are required. Letters of recommendation should focus on academic capacity (e.g., problem-solving, thinking, analytical, and reflective skills) to undertake a rigorous program of graduate study, rather than on workplace efficiency and character traits. Be prepared to supply names and email addresses for all recommenders during the online application process.
• Statement
  A personal statement of approximately 750 words that includes your professional goals and how you believe the MI degree will support your progress toward these goals.
• Résumé or CV
• Application Fee
  We require a $70 non-refundable application fee. Review Rutgers Graduate and Professional Admissions guidelines.

We welcome international students to apply. Please note that there are five additional requirements that all international applicants must meet. See our International Students page for more detailed information.

1. Minimum required scores on either TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) earned within the past three years
   • TOEFL minimum required scores are 94+ for internet-based test (iBT) or 587 for paper-delivered test. The Rutgers Graduate School-New Brunswick suggests these minimum sub-score distributions: Writing, 24; Reading, 24; Listening, 22; Speaking, 24 (on iBT only).
   • IELTS Academic test minimum required overall band score is 6.5+. IELTS results are delivered to receiving organizations by postal mail or electronic download. See IELTS for more information.
   • Send GRE and TOEFL scores to Rutgers Institutional Code 2790; Rutgers does not use ETS department codes.
     NOTE: TOEFL or IETLS are not required for:
   • Students who earned their bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or have taken an accredited English as a Second Language program or course.
   • International applicant students coming from an English-speaking country with a minimum of three years undergraduate education where the mode of instruction was English.
   All decisions are made pending documentation.
2. Evidence of adequate financial resources
3. Proper Visa status
4. An official transcript evaluation by any member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) such as WES (World Education Services). Refer to NACES for a full list of eligible evaluators
5. A video-based interview (see below)

Important: Rutgers University may deny admission to non-immigrant students for lack of English proficiency, lack of financial support or because of improper visa status.trong>

Rutgers’ MI program uses Spark Hire video interview platform for our international candidates. This service helps us determine that an applicant’s English proficiency is at a level that will ensure a positive learning experience and success in the MI program.

What you need to know:

• You will need a webcam or the Spark Hire mobile application (available for iOS and Android).
• You will be asked to record answers to four short questions.
• You will have a specified time limit and set number of attempts to complete each answer.
• You can review the Spark Hire video interview before you begin. The interview does not start until you are completely ready.

We consider applications on a rolling basis. Complete your application by the deadlines stated below in order to be considered for admission.

September Program Start

• U.S. resident deadline: August 1
• International student deadline: July 1

January Program Start

• U.S. resident deadline: December 1
• International student deadline: November 1

May Program Start (Online Only)

• U.S. resident deadline: April 15
• International student deadline: March 15

Rutgers SC&I and the MI program are proud to be able to recognize high-achieving graduate students each year by awarding scholarships and awards to incoming and continuing students. Visit SC&I Scholarships and Awards for:

• Application instructions
• Scholarship eligibility criteria
• Scholarship timelines and deadlines
• MI scholarships, fellowship and support funds

If you have any questions, you may contact the SC&I scholarship administrator at scholarship@comminfo.rutgers.edu.

A maximum of six credits of graduate coursework may be transferred to the MI program under the following two options:

1. Credits may be transferred from a graduate program of library and information science accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) if the work was completed with a grade of B or better within three years prior to admission to the Rutgers MI program. Credits will not be transferred until successful completion of one semester of study. Verbal approvals will be granted for course transfers that align to specific courses in the MI curriculum.
2. Credits may be transferred from master’s-level courses earned at Rutgers University or master’s level courses earned from a Master’s program from an accredited institution with a grade of B or better within three years prior to admission to the Rutgers MI program. Requests should be submitted after the completion of 12 credits. Practicums and Independent studies cannot be transferred.
3. All requests subject to approval and specific requirements of program pathways.
4. Current students wanting to take master's courses outside the program must have the approval of the director of the program. Please provide a copy of the course syllabus, a brief statement with respect to how the class aligns with your academic/professional goals, and approval from your academic adviser or concentration coordinator prior to registering for the class. The student is responsible for reaching out to an external program/faculty to obtain permission to take the class.
5. Any course completed outside the MI program without explicit advance approval of the program/department will not be applied toward the MI degree and will not be computed in the MI grade point average.

To determine if transfer credits are possible, students with potential transfer credits must:

• Submit a cover letter identifying these credits and include an explanation of why these courses are relevant to the MI degree and their professional goals to the program director.
• Submit course descriptions and syllabi pertaining to these courses to the program director.
• Submit official transcripts from the transferring institution to the SC&I Office of Student Services. Copies of the transcripts will be sent to the Graduate Registrar with the accompanying transfer credit request if approved by the program.

Courses for transfer credit will be evaluated by the program director in consultation with the Admissions Committee and/or concentration coordinators/faculty. After being admitted to the program, students should submit transfer credit requests based on schedules set forth in the policy to the MI Program Director and the Office of Student Services at mi@comminfo.rutgers.edu. The Office of Student Services will notify students of the outcome within four weeks of the requested date.