Application Procedures (Certificate)

Follow these instructions carefully; applications that are incomplete will not be considered by the LIS admissions committee.

Note that once materials have been submitted for a specific semester, applications cannot be deferred to a later semester; those applicants who apply but change their minds and wish to be considered for a later semester must reapply.

Step 1

The following documents must be sent directly to:

Graduate Admissions Office
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
2540 Maile Way, Spalding Hall 354
Honolulu, HI 96822

a) Application form and fee:
Complete the Graduate Admissions Application online at apply.hawaii.edu. For the Planned Course of Study section, specify "Certificate in Advanced Library & Information Science."

If you prefer, you may download the application from the Graduate Admissions web site, which provides applications in PDF format and includes instructions on completing the form.

b) Official original transcripts sent directly to the Graduate Admissions Office from all institutions listed on the application. They must bear the official seal and the school registrar's signature. For non-English language transcripts, two original language transcripts and two official original translated transcripts in English must be provided. Photocopies, unsealed transcripts, and personal copies are not accepted.

Note: for course work completed at any University of Hawaii campus (including community colleges), transcripts are not required. The Graduate Division Student Services will obtain UH transcripts on behalf of applicants.

Step 2

The following documents must be sent directly to:

Library & Information Science Program Admissions
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
2550 McCarthy Mall, Hamilton Library
Honolulu, HI 96822

a) Statement of Objectives, which is an essay that summarizes the applicant's motivation for pursuing the certificate, and include specific objectives for the planned course of study. The Statement of Objectives also serves as a means of judging an applicant's writing ability and should be roughly 1,000 words in length.

b) Two completed Recommendation Forms (fillable PDF document). Applicants must complete the first section before providing the form to their references, who should be faculty members, librarians, and/or employers. Completed forms must be sealed by the referees and sent directly to the LIS Program. Inform referees that Program policy allows students to view their personal folders, which includes these letters, unless the applicant waives the right to examine the recommendation form.

c) One completed LIS Program Applicant Information Form (fillable PDF document). Download, complete, print or save, and return this form to the LIS Program.

d) Resume: A resume or curriculum vitae will augment the Statement of Objectives, especially for applicants who have been out of the academic environment for a number of years or whose academic record is marginal.

Application Deadlines

The deadline for application forms and all accompanying documents to be received by the LIS Program office is April 1 for the fall semester, and November 1 for the spring semester. Unless otherwise stated, all application materials must be received by the Program office no later than 3:00 P.M. HST.

Applicants whose materials are received after the deadline will be considered at the discretion of the LIS admissions committee.

Because it may take several weeks for the UH Mānoa Graduate Division to evaluate and forward transcripts and the graduate admissions application to the LIS Program office, applicants are advised to apply early.

There is no summer admission but students may enroll in summer courses as an unclassified student if accepted for the fall.

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