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.
It is a 36 credit hour program accredited by the American Library Association.
Graduate Students should refer to their Graduate Handbooks at Graduate Handbooks: Graduate Programs: Academics: Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering: Indiana University Bloomington
ILS has identified the following primary goals and objectives for the MIS program. Upon completion of this program, graduates will be prepared to:
1. Analyze, evaluate, design, and manage information and information technologies to support effective organizational activities, work practices, and system usability
a. Apply appropriate theories, research, and empirical evidence for effective leadership, ICT project management, and collaboration
b. Apply appropriate strategies, tools and technologies to represent, organize, and manage data and information to align with organizational goals and objectives
c. Use critical thinking to evaluate and diagnose information, technology, and services problems and challenges across human, organizational, and algorithmic domains.
d. Understand the theoretical and practical bases of information organization, storage, delivery, and retrieval systems
e. Apply techniques from human-computer interaction, systems analysis, programming and database design, to analyze user needs and information systems in social and organizational settings
2. Employ a sound conceptual and critical understanding of research as a foundation for strong, leadership-oriented careers as information professionals
a. Adopt socio-technical and user-centered approaches to studying and working with information and information and communication technologies (ICT)
b. Understand the management and organizational structures of information organizations
c. Develop and analyze appropriate information management strategies and policies for organizations
d. Utilize effectively the theoretical and practical bases of information organization, architecture, storage, retrieval, and delivery systems
3. Work effectively within and across a variety of information settings and contexts
a. Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with stakeholders from different backgrounds and technical expertise
b. Apply knowledge and skills to a variety of information settings, including corporate, nonprofit, government, and academic environments
c. Understand how to work effectively in diverse, cross-functional teams
d. Analyze, evaluate, and manage ICT to support organizational activities and work practices
4. Understand the economic, social, political, and strategic value, and the ethical use of information and information technologies to participate successfully and responsibly in the information professions
a. Explain socio-economic, cultural, and policy issues involved in the design, governance, and long-term stewardship of data and information systems, including those powered by AI.
b. Critically assess ethical issues surrounding ICT use such as data privacy, security, accessibility, and the responsible use of technology, ensuring ethical decision-making in professional practice.
c. Understand the value of life-long learning, in order to 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)
Accelerated Master of Information Science
The Accelerated (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 Accelerated (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 about the Accelerated Master of Information Science, see Accelerated Master's Programs: Academics: Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering: Indiana University Bloomington.