Master of Science in Information Science

Our M.S. in Information Science offers interdisciplinary skills by combining computer science, business analytics, and UX design courses. This degree will broaden your career possibilities and provide you with in-demand skills for a variety of career opportunities.

Be the one who understands every facet of the field of information

Computer scientists and information technologists build the programs that gather information and ensure that networks, systems, and databases run smoothly.

Business analytics professionals are experts in interpreting information, using it to make decisions.

Designers create a user experience that presents information in a pleasing way and holds peoples’ interest.

Every one of these specialists has a crucial role to play. But what if you were the one who combined knowledge of all of those disciplines and understood how they work together? With our M.S. in Information Science, you will be that professional, an expert on all the facets of information and their interdisciplinary dependence on each other. When most organizations tend to segregate the art, science, and business of information within their operations, your broad-based skills and big-picture perspective will be an invaluable asset to them.

Here is your interdisciplinary tool kit

The 36-credit program in M.S. in Information Science pulls together a set of technical tools, user-centered design, information leadership, and critical-thinking and analytics skills that will empower you to evaluate — and make decisions from — the tidal wave of information flooding every single organization today.

Our broad and intensive core curriculum spans disciplines from three colleges — Arts & Sciences, the Pompea College of Business, and the Tagliatela College of Engineering.

From Arts & Sciences, you will learn about UX — User Experience — and the Human Experience, applying human-centered design and the development process to take an idea from concept to production.

From courses that live in the College of Business, you will understand how to interpret data, using it to identifying patterns and predict outcomes that inform decision-making.

Through courses in the College of Engineering, you will acquire skills in designing, managing, and deploying networked systems, emphasizing cloud computing, big data collection, and information security.

The skill set you possess at graduation will include the ability to:

  • develop a plan for creating business and social value with UX-driven opportunities,
  • employ data visualization techniques to make decisions,
  • convert a problem’s specifications into the program language that will address it,
  • apply an ethical decision-making process to ambiguous situations, and
  • create a solution that uses leadership techniques to craft an organization’s response to a real-world problem.
Focus on the area you like most

The program’s core curriculum will give you a solid foundation in all three disciplines that define the field, but chances are, you will gravitate to one discipline over the other two. We, therefore, offer an opportunity to focus on:

  • UX and the Human Experience,
  • Business Analytics, or
  • Information Technology
Practical learning opportunities that put experience on your résumé before you graduate

Our internships and co-op work programs give you valuable, on-site experience that often leads to job offers, as employers observe your skills and assess how you handle challenges. It’s work experience and a job interview in one.

On campus, you will have the chance to work closely with faculty on research projects, flexing your creative muscle, your critical thinking and analytical skills, and your growing knowledge of IT.

There’s hardly an organization that won’t need you

For-profits and non-profits, retail operations and procurement, government agencies, and every company along the supply chain — if they’re data-driven and dependent on the processing of information, they need an expert in information science. The major sectors that are looking for you? Think e-commerce, finance, healthcare, higher education, the government, and professional sports, for starters.

Here are just a few of the many possible job titles available to you:

  • Data Scientist
  • Data Engineer
  • Data Mining Specialist
  • Digital Artist
  • Web Programmer
  • Information Architect
  • Intelligence Analyst
  • Metadata Specialist
  • Public Information Officer
  • UX Product Designer

Envision Your Future

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects about 3,300 openings for computer and information research scientists over the next decade. As of May 2021*, the median annual wage for these professionals was $131,490. Here are a few other job titles and their median annual salaries from the BLS:

$101K

Data Scientist

$159K

Computer and Information Systems Manager

$95K

Web and Digital Interface Designer

Nationally Recognized Center for Career Development

All University of New 51¶ºÄÌ students have access to the many resources available through the University’s Career Development Center, which has been named one of the best in the nation by The Princeton Review.

From career assessments, networking, and job shadowing to on-campus interviews and salary negotiation, the Career Development Center provides the skills and connections to identify a meaningful career and an opportunity to pursue your passion.

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Selected Courses and Programs
  • A first course in computer programming using the C language, for those with little or no experience in programming. Problem solving methods, program planning, development, and testing. Sound programming practices and good style. Simple preprocessor usage, objects, expressions, functions, libraries, basic types, arrays, and pointers. Extensive programming will be required.

  • Primary focus of this course is on the data visualization tools and techniques. The course will utilize Tableau Desktop and Tableau Public data visualization tool. Connecting to external data sources, transporting data into interactive dashboards will be given emphasis. This course also provides the mathematical and statistical preparation to support data analysis tools and techniques and prepare the student to apply quantitative methods and data analysis techniques. Topics include Tableau, pivot tables, data representation, statistical data analysis, creating dashboards and storytelling.

  • Core skills necessary for professional data scientists to succeed in an industry setting. Students learn the skills of data visualization in parallel with the soft skills of communicating with a non-technical audience, interviewing skills, and core data science leadership skills. Emphasis is placed on enabling students to listen to articulated business needs or problem cases and learn how to propose as well as execute data science solutions to effectively meet these needs. Students may receive exemption from prerequisites at the instructor's discretion.

  • A survey of database systems, their purposes, structures, functions and uses. Topics include an overview of DB systems, major DB models, design and implementation, introduction to typical DB systems, and internal operation of DB systems.

  • Techniques and tools for developing simple scripts in Python. It introduces Python by a comparative approach and explores the Python libraries and their applications to varied tasks. Individual scripting projects will be assigned. Knowledge of C and/or Java is required.

  • The University of New 51¶ºÄÌ offers a wide variety of in-depth courses that create a transformational educational experience for our students. To view the complete list of courses you'll take while pursuing a master’s degree in Information Science, check out the Academic Catalog:

    Information Science, M.S. Degree Check List

Learn from professors who are dedicated to your success.

Our faculty are leaders and innovators in their fields, bringing both deep professional experience and academic rigor to the classroom.

Next Steps
  • An advanced degree from the University of New 51¶ºÄÌ will help you take your career to the next level. Each program offers convenient scheduling, personalized attention, and state-of-the-art facilities.

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  • The University of New 51¶ºÄÌ Graduate School is an excellent value with reasonable tuition. Of course, you will still have bills to pay and the Financial Aid office can help.

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