How to Apply

Starting Your Application

• Visit Common Application Questions 
• Reach out to inform@dal.ca — please allow 1-3 business days for our admissions specialist to respond to your inquiry.
  • If you have contacted us multiple times and have not heard back, please check your email junk folder and ensure inform@dal.ca is marked as "safe" so that you don't miss our emails.  

Application deadline(s)

The Master of Information Program has a Fall (September) intake only. Please see the table below for September 2025’s application deadlines. 

A Winter (January) start is only possible for select Canadian applicants with extensive professional experience or are transferring from another Library & Information Studies (LIS) program. We are not able to offer a January start for international applicants.   

Applications must be completed and submitted in full prior to the deadline, to be considered for admission to the program. Late applications will not be accepted.

Step 1: Complete the Online Application

All applicants to the Master of Information Program should start by filling out the online application and paying the application fee. Please select September/Fall admission. If you are eligible and interested in January/Winter admission, please contact inform@dal.ca

The application fee is non-refundable and must be paid before you application is processed, and so we encourage you to make sure you meet the minimum requirements before applying. Methods of payment are included in the online application. 

Following submission of your application, you will receive a confirmation number and/or Banner number in a few days. Please save this information for your records.

If you need assistance with your application form or fee, please contact the Registrar’s Office:

• Admissions@dal.ca
• +1 902 494 2450

Joint Degree Options

For those interested in our MI/MPA, MI/JD, or MI/MREM, applicants must submit a separate application and meet the requirements to both the MI and the other program in the joint degree.  

View the admission requirements for the MPA, JD, and MREM.

Step 2: Submit Supporting Documents

A review of an applicant's file will only begin once an online application is complete, the application fee is paid, and all supporting documents have been received. We do not offer pre-assessment of any application files.

Document Submission Options

All documents should be submitted electronically to inform@dal.ca. If mailing paper documents is the only option, please mail to the address below. Note: Processing times will be slower for mailed/paper documents.

Attn: MI Admissions Support Specialist  
Graduate Student Services (GSS)  
Faculty of Management, Dalhousie University
6100 University Avenue, Suite 3010  
PO Box 15000 Halifax, NS B3H 4R2

Checking Your Application Status in DalOnline

Applicants may check the status of their submitted application documents by logging into DalOnline (using the username and password you applied with). When documents have been added to your file, your profile will be updated. Updates are made every 2–3 business days (3–5 business days during peak times), so please allow time for this to show on your profile. 

If you are accepted into the MI program, you will receive an informal offer via email from the MI Program Manager, and a recommendation of acceptance will be sent to the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS). FGS reviews all recommendations and provides final decisions. The formal acceptance letter will be sent from the University Registrar.

Required Supporting Documents

1. Transcripts

Applicants should hold a four-year bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an institution recognized by Dalhousie University with a minimum 3.0 a 4.3 scale (B average) in the last two years (60 credits) of study. 

If there are incomplete classes at the time of assessment, your admission GPA will be calculated based on a reduced number of credits.   

Important Transcript Details

• Transcripts submitted with applications become the property of Dalhousie University, are subject to verification, are not available for copying, and will not be returned to the applicant.  
• Notarized transcripts will not be accepted 
• Transcripts in languages other than English or French must be accompanied by an English translation provided by the institution issuing the transcript.  
• Transcript grading keys must be included with the transcript.  
• Official transcripts are not required for any courses or degree you have completed at Dalhousie University. Our office will obtain these transcripts on your behalf.  
• Please submit one copy of all official transcripts from ALL post-secondary institutions attended (including transfer credits, study abroad, incomplete programs).
• Final transcripts must include the degree name/type, and the date the degree was conferred. If the transcript does not state this, documentation must be provided from the University confirming this information.
• Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. HOWEVER, official/final versions must be submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies within 90 days of starting the program, if accepted. Please make a plan ahead of time to obtain and submit your official transcripts.

 Transcript Submission Options

• Electronic file-transfers from the issuing institution and from services such as Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, eScrip-Safe, or TranscriptNetwork. Electronic Transcripts are to be send to inform@dal.ca.
• PDFs sent by email directly from the issuing institution. These emailed transcripts are sent to  inform@dal.ca
• Official, paper version mailed to Graduate Student Services by the institution or the applicant (in a sealed envelope).

2. Reference Letters

All applicants are required to submit a minimum of two academic references.

In addition to the required two academic reference letters, applicants may submit one or two professional references that they feel would strengthen their application: 

• Applicants who graduated 3-5 years ago may submit one professional reference in lieu of academic.
• Applicants who graduated 5+ years ago may submit two professional references in lieu of academic.

At least one academic reference is strongly encouraged for ALL applicants.

Reference Submission Options

• Preferred Option: E-reference System: In the references section of the online application, enter a valid email address for each referee. Once your application is submitted and your application fee paid, the referees will receive a linked form by email. Admissions staff will be notified when the reference form is submitted.
  • Please REVIEW the information carefully. It cannot be changed or removed once the application is submitted.
  • The e-reference system automatically generates its own deadline 2 months from the date that the email is sent - this doesn't consider our application deadlines: referees must follow OUR application deadlines (as listed at the top of this page).
• Preferred Option 2: E-mail: Ask your referees to fill out and sign the Confidential Reference Form [PDF-160 KB]. They may include a separate letter, but it's not required. The form and attachments (if applicable) must be emailed by the referee to inform@dal.ca. Referees must use their work email.
• Preferred Option 3: Physical Mail: This is only recommended if the first two options are not possible. Referees must fill out the Confidential Reference Form. Forms/Letters must be signed and in a stamped and sealed envelope which is endorsed across the back seal by referee. If a sealed reference is given to the applicant to mail or drop off, the envelope must not be opened. Note: we are not responsible for delays due to mail service disruptions, lost mail, etc.

Notes

• References must be kept confidential from the applicant. Your referee cannot include you on the email and you cannot submit the reference on their behalf (unless it is in a sealed envelope). References sent by a third party on behalf of the referee (e.g. colleague, agency, etc) are not valid. Only references sent directly to us from the referee will be accepted.
• It is your responsibility to ensure references are submitted on time. 

3. Resume 

Please submit an updated/current version of your resume.

4. Application Essay

This is an important component of your application and will be reviewed closely by the Admissions Committee.

In addressing the following points, you will connect your goals for both the Master of Information (MI) Program and career, to the Information Management profession. This will enable the Admissions Committee to evaluate your fit for our Program.  

In a 5–6-page double-spaced essay, discuss the following points

• Tell us about your MI Program goals. How will MI help you achieve them?
• What are the strengths you would bring to the MI Program and to the Information Management profession?
• Opportunities to perform management functions and to assume leadership roles abound in the Information Management field. Explain your perception of these opportunities, and how they will shape your future as an Information Management professional.
• Most professional occupations rely on teamwork. Demonstrate how your participation on a team has contributed to the success of a team’s objective.
• New information technologies shape changes in the profession. How do you view technological advancements affecting you as a student? As an Information Management professional?
• In reference to the IT Competencies section (third question here under "Prior Education & Experience), please explain your level of competency. If you do not currently have these required competencies, indicate how you plan to meet the requirements before January of your first year in the Program.
• The Information Management field is a dynamic and changing environment; provide evidence of your adaptability in a changing context.
• Describe how your prior work experience (part-time or full-time; paid or voluntary) in any setting has shaped your MI goals.
• Explain any gaps or deficiencies in your academic record, or any other factors you wish to have considered.

5. Language Requirements 

English is the language of study at Dalhousie, therefore all applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate their capacity to pursue a graduate-level program in English before admission.  

For a complete list of English Language tests accepted by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, please visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies website. Test Taker copies of English Language reports are not accepted; they must be official copies sent from the test centre.  Test scores are valid for two years from the date the test was written.

Note: The language competency test may be waived if the applicant has completed a degree that meets both of the following requirements: 

• The degree is from a recognized university where the language of instruction is English.
• The university (or campus location) where the degree was obtained is in a country where English is an official language. Please contact (inform@dal.ca) if you are unsure whether you are required to provide this documentation.