Graduate Programs

Degree Programs

Master of Information Science (MIS)

Goals and Objectives of the Master of Information Science Program
 The Master of Information Science (MIS) program is an interdisciplinary professional program designed to prepare students for lifelong careers in designing, managing, and consulting about information and communication technologies (ICT) and services in public, corporate, and nonprofit settings. The program couples best-practices training in the management and use of ICT with exposure to current information management and systems research; there is a strong emphasis on essential career development skills including written and oral communication, team building, analysis, and critical thinking that are necessary for assuming management positions in business, nonprofit, academic, and government organizations.

ILS has identified the following primary goals and objectives for the MIS program.  Upon completion of this program, graduates will be prepared to:

Demonstrate understanding of research necessary for careers as information professionals

  • Apply appropriate strategies, tools and technologies to represent, organize, and manage data and information
  • Apply appropriate theories and empirical evidence for effective leadership, management, and collaboration
  • Use critical thinking to evaluate information, technology, and services problems and challenges
  • Synthesize and interpret relevant research findings for use in ICT project management

Adopt socio-technical and user-centered approaches to studying and working with information and communication technologies (ICT)

  • Understand the management and organizational structures of information organizations
  • Utilize effectively the theoretical and practical bases of information organization, architecture, storage, retrieval, and delivery systems
  • Apply techniques from human-computer interaction, systems analysis, programming and database design, to analyze user needs and information systems in social and organizational settings
  • Develop innovative solutions to address information, technology, and services problems and challenges

Work effectively within and across a variety of information settings and contexts

  • Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with a variety of audiences
  • Identify information and technical resources that will support an organization's  activities
  • Analyze, evaluate, and manage ICT to support organizational activities and work practices
  • Demonstrate knowledge of relevant concepts and theories of organizational behavior for managing people, information, and technology in public and private sector organizations

Participate successfully and responsibility in the information professions

  • Explain socio-economic, cultural, policy, and ethical issues involved in the design, development, management, and use of ICT
  • Engage in life-long learning, making effective use of the range of information resources (research and popular writings, professional organizations) that support information work

MIS DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The MIS program helps to educate a distinctive information professional, one whose expertise includes understanding the human side of information and information technologies and applying this understanding to practical problems.  The curriculum has been designed to provide a sound conceptual foundation for developing leadership-oriented careers and enabling students to develop expertise in one or more specific areas. A candidate for the Master of Information Science degree must complete 36 credit hours of graduate course work; at least 30 credit hours must be taken in the IU Department of Information and Library Science.

A maximum of 6 graduate credit hours from outside the IU Department of Information and Library Science may, in certain circumstances and with approval (using the "Outside Course Approval Form"), be applied to the MIS degree. These 6 credit hours may be taken at Indiana University, or at another university.  Outside courses are warranted only when they are relevant to the student's career objectives and will contribute more to the enrichment of their programs than would additional ILS courses.  Permission for such outside course work must be obtained before enrolling in the course.  The course must be completed with a grade of B or higher, must not be applied to another degree (except in the case of a recognized dual-degree program), and must be taken within the five-year time frame allowed for completion of the degree.

MIS Requirements: (36 cr.)

Foundation Courses (18 cr.)

  • ILS-Z 510 Introduction to Information Studies 
    * Must be fulfilled before you complete 18 credit hours
  • ILS-Z 511 Database Design 
  • ILS-Z 515 Information Architecture
  • ILS-Z 516 Human-Computer Interaction 
  • ILS-Z 556 Systems Analysis and Design 
  • Programming Requirement e.g. ILS-Z 517, Z639, Z 656, approved Z 603)

Electives (18 cr.)

Choose from:

  • Any 500/600 level ILS course
  • ILS-Z 601 Directed Readings 
  • ILS-Z 602 Directed Research 
  • ILS-Z 603 Workshop in Library and Information Science 
    • These workshops focus on practical, professional skills. You can count up to 6 credits of Z 603 toward your degree.
  • ILS-Z 604 Topics in Library and Information Science (professional issue topic)

You can find more information about current course offerings on the Courses page of our website. 

4+1 Master of Information Science

The 4+1 Master's Program is intended for highly motivated undergraduate students looking to further their education with a master's degree.  Students apply for the program during their junior year and begin taking ILS courses during their senior year.

Students admitted into the program will take 12 ILS credit hours during their senior year and an additional 6 credit hours during the summer after graduation.  Summer work can either be graduate coursework or an internship. Students will complete the 4+1 Master's degree by taking 9 credit hours of coursework during each of the following two semesters.

The requirements for the degree are the same as the regular MIS degree, and no courses taken at the undergraduate or graduate level are allowed to count towards both an undergraduate and a graduate degree.

For more information: please see website

You can find more information about current course offerings on the Courses page of our website. 

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