The Graduate Certificate in Information Management (IM) serves the needs of those who wish to enter the rapidly expanding information field. This certificate program seeks to provide students, librarians, and information professionals with the tools needed to use technology efficiently and effectively in gathering, storing, and disseminating information. Computers and productivity tools are helping knowledge workers in accessing information, generating insights, structuring results into a useful format, and producing knowledge simultaneously. The use of these productivity tools by knowledge workers requires that information professionals alter their perceived traditional professional role so that they can provide expanded services and support to these knowledge workers as well as to continue to perform their traditional professional responsibilities.

The program is open to students with advanced degrees in related fields, students enrolled in the School of Information Sciences MLIS program or other Wayne State University graduate programs, and, on a case by case basis, students with baccalaureate degrees from accredited universities who possess the appropriate background experience.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the School is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School. In addition, Graduate Certificate in Information Management applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

1. Possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university.
2. Have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 or better or possess another degree beyond the bachelor's degree. Applicants with an undergraduate grade point average between 2.50 and 2.99 can satisfy this requirement by one of the Alternative Admissions methods.
3. Meet the Technology Requirements. Entering students with strong technology skills are encouraged to consider submitting a request to waive the prerequisite, LIS 6080, Information Technology. 
4. Submit a personal statement reflecting relevant personal and academic background and experience. The statement should be a minimum of 250 words and a maximum of 500 words (1-2 pages).
5. Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.

Application

1. Complete and submit the online Graduate Admission Application form.
2. Compose a personal statement and upload it to your application. 
3. Upload a current resume or curriculum vitae with your application.
4. Pay $50 application fee.
5. Request official transcripts from each university you have attended and have them sent directly to Graduate Admissions, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48202.

Student Learning Outcomes - GCIM

Students who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate in Information Management at the Wayne State University School of Information Sciences will be able to:

1. Utilize and assess technologies for the creation, production, manipulation, modeling, mining, analysis, control, distribution, access, and use of information.
2. Leverage databases and large datasets to uncover and present insights that drive decision-making.
3. Collaborate with organizations to present their products and services to their users and customers in the most accessible and useful manner.
4. Apply usability principles and methods in assessing and designing information services and products for better user experiences.
5. Analyze how information policies affect information creation, production, control, protection, distribution, access, use and evaluation in different socio-technical contexts.
6. Develop independent learning skills and appreciate the need for lifelong learning of information technologies.

Program Requirements