This fall, the first cohort of students will begin their studies in our School’s new Master of Science degree in information management (MS/IM) program. These students will have the opportunity to choose from four professional pathways to prepare for successful careers in the design and management of information systems:
- data science and analytics;
- privacy, trust, security, and ethics;
- information architecture and design; and
- knowledge management and information consulting.
With only three required courses—and a programming course, if needed to gain sufficient expertise—the curriculum is very flexible and can be customized based on professional interests. After selecting a pathway, students will work with an academic advisor to choose a combination of elective courses that best meets their needs.
“Within these pathways, there are a number of suggested courses. Students will be able to build on existing skills and expertise and add new perspectives that will enhance their ability to address a range of information management challenges in a rapidly changing field,” said Professor Michael Twidale, program director.
Through cutting-edge coursework, thought-provoking lectures, and team exercises, students will learn important core learning concepts as well as the application of specific skills and techniques. They will also gain many other value-added skills, such as how to work as a member of an interdisciplinary team, stay on top of rapidly changing technologies and practices, and increase organizational productivity and efficiency.
Each pathway prepares students for high-level, specialized careers in a variety of employment sectors. Students focusing on data science and analytics will learn how to manage, clean, and interpret data to make decisions, assess services, and operate an improved organization. Courses in the area of privacy, trust, security, and ethics will teach students how to develop mechanisms and infrastructures—considering best practices for consumer privacy and ethical industry standards—to build and maintain secure systems for information management. The information architecture and design pathway will prepare students to build interfaces and organize content to effectively relay and transmit information. Knowledge management and information consulting will teach students to collect, organize, and interpret data on which major strategic decisions are based; analyze and represent information; and customize and utilize systems that manage critical organizational information.
Admissions for the Fall 2016 semester are currently underway, and the application deadline is June 10. As soon as an application is completed, it will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Preference will be given to complete applications meeting the deadlines; however, applications will be accepted as long as space is available.
For more information, please visit the MS/IM program page or contact Professor Twidale at gslis-infomanagement@illinois.edu.