Information Science (M.S.I.S.)
For complete information regarding the academic rules and regulations of the University, students should consult the Academic Regulations section of this bulletin. The following additions and amendments pertain to the School of Information Sciences.
The M.S. in Information Science uniquely prepares students to be successful in data-intensive and user-centric environments. This degree prepares students to support data-driven problem-solving and decision-making in diverse fields. With this degree, students will develop skills necessary to assess, adopt, and utilize information technologies to design positive user experiences and obtain useful insights.
Today, information is a crucial resource – be it social, mobile, cloud or big data. Information professionals with the expertise to find, capture, master, and deliver information are in higher demand than ever before. The M.S. in Information Science provides the core analytical and problem-solving skills necessary to stay competitive and excel in today’s data-intensive, information-rich environments.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the School is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School. In addition, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:
- Possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university.
- Have an undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 or better or possess another degree beyond the bachelor's degree. Applicants with an undergraduate grade point average between 2.50 and 2.74 can satisfy this requirement by one of the Alternative Admissions methods.
- Meet the Technology Requirements.
- Submit a Statement of Purpose 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).
- Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
Application
- Complete and submit the online Graduate Admission Application form.
- Compose a Statement of Purpose (pdf) and upload it to your application.
- Upload a current resume or curriculum vitae to your application.
- Request official transcripts from each university attended and have them sent directly to the Wayne State University Office of Graduate Admissions.
Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the M.S. in Information Science at the Wayne State University School of Information Sciences will be able to:
- Use vetted information technologies for organizational and social benefit.
- Assess databases and datasets to uncover and present insights that support decision-making.
- Apply principles and methods for assessing and designing information services and products for better user experiences.
- Evaluate how policies, ethical and legal considerations impact data use and information management in organizations.
- Communicate information technology concepts to technical and nontechnical audiences.
- Work collaboratively as part of cross-functional and diverse teams.
Program Requirements
The Master of Science in Information Management is offered only as a Plan C master’s program. A maximum of six credits in courses outside of library and information science may be accepted as cognates. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
The 30-credit MSIM degree includes 4 required courses, an elective practicum, and 5 elective courses, organized into a variety of specializations. Students are free to combine elective courses to craft a customized Plan of Work that satisfies the student’s particular needs.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INF 6010 | Information in Society | 3 |
| INF 6050 | Computer Programming | 3 |
| INF 6460 | Database Design and SQL | 3 |
| INF 6490 | Statistics and Data Analysis | 3 |
| Elective Practicum | 3 | |
Elective Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Web-Based Information Services | ||
| Computer Programming | ||
| Web Development | ||
| Advanced Web Development | ||
| Information Architecture | ||
| Seminar in Information Policy | ||
| Data Analytics | ||
| Computer Programming | ||
| Statistics and Data Analysis | ||
| Applied Data Analytics | ||
| Information Visualization | ||
| Seminar in Information Policy | ||
| Health and Scientific Data Management | ||
| Computer Programming | ||
| Applied Data Analytics | ||
| Information Visualization | ||
| Health Sciences Information Services and Resources | ||
| Health Informatics | ||
| Seminar in Information Policy | ||
| User Experience | ||
| Computer Programming | ||
| Web Development | ||
| Human-Computer Interaction | ||
| Information Architecture | ||
| Information Behavior | ||
| User Experience (UX) Design | ||