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Masters of Information Science

Gain hands-on experience in information and communication technologies, database design, UX, information architecture, and tech management—everything you need to shape the future of how people and technology connect.

Harness the Power of Information

In the M.I.S. program, you'll dive into the intersection of information, technology, and people, gaining hands-on skills in IT leadership, system design, UX, and more. Whether you want to lead teams, design systems, or consult, this program sets you up for success in the world of information and communication technologies.

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What you'll learn

With guidance from our expert faculty, you'll master key areas of information science, like database design, information architecture, and organizational informatics. The program blends hands-on training in ICT management with cutting-edge research, all while focusing on the social, cultural, policy, and ethical aspects of the industry. Plus, you can specialize in areas like IT leadership, front-end development, data science, or digital humanities to tailor your expertise to your interests.

Choose a specialization

To build expertise in the field of your choosing, you’ll also have the opportunity to specialize in one of seven different knowledge domains, including information technology leadership, front-end development, data science, and digital humanities.

Advances in technology over the last decade mean that corporate, public, and nonprofit businesses across every sector have an unprecendeted amount of data available to them.

With a data science specialization, you’ll dive into the art and science of data-driven decision making. You’ll learn how to create, store, analyze, and manage big data sets.

Whether you want to work in business, health care, politics, entertainment, information service sciences, or academia, a specialization in data science can help transform you into the professional that employers today are hungry for.

Become an expert in the creation and management of digital content and data, the systems that support them, and their contexts of use.

As the volume and velocity of digital information and data production continues to increase—and as the types of information created continues to vary in format and structure—there is an increasing need for people who are trained in working with digital content and collections and have expertise in digital curation, which involves managing, preserving, adding value, and providing access to digital information assets throughout the information life cycle. These same people also understand the systems that support these activities and the social and organizational contexts where these activities take place.

Your core requirements will cover research, policy, and current practices in curating and preserving digital data, as well as metadata fundamentals, electronic records management, and more. You will also understand the design and operation of digital libraries from a socio-technical perspective, and serve a required internship in an information management environment.

The specialization is designed to prepare students for careers as professionals who can work with a range of digital content and manage the systems that support the creation and management of digital content. Graduates with the DC3 specialization can be employed in a wide range of organizations working with various types of digital information, including scientific data and corporate archives to government and NGO records, and more.

Digital humanities is a rapidly growing field that combines academic humanities scholarship with the fields of computing and informatics. This specialization will prepare students for careers as 21st-century humanities scholars, both in traditional academic positions as professors and librarians, as well as in alternative careers as managers and developers at digital humanities centers and cultural heritage institutions.

Customize your specialization by choosing from a broad range of electives, including courses in human-computer interaction, gender and computerization, intellectual freedom, and more.

Eligibility

In order to complete this specialization, you must have completed a prior master’s-level degree in a relevant humanities discipline, or be in the process of completing a master’s degree in one of several humanities fields in conjunction with your M.I.S. degree through our Dual Degree Program.

The Information Architecture Specialization will prepare you to work as an information architect in both the private and public sectors. You’ll learn how to plan, oversee, implement, and manage the growth of content systems in support of user understanding. 

Your core specialization requirements will focus on designing and organizing systems based on the principles of human-computer interaction and usability, and include a capstone project where you’ll integrate the theoretical and practical components of information architecture into a single enterprise. To hone your expertise as an information architect, you’ll choose from a wide array of electives, including courses in information systems design and visualization, metadata, indexing, and more.

The Information Technology (IT) Leadership Specialization will prepare you to work as an information technology leader in both the private and public sectors.

Your core specialization requirements are flexible, and will allow you to choose from courses in systems analysis, organizational informatics, information industry, or information systems design. You’ll also choose to complete a capstone project in information architecture, or an internship in library and information science, where you’ll work in an information management environment.

To hone your expertise as an IT leader, you’ll also be able to choose from a wide array of electives, including courses in information policy, international information issues, communication in electronic environments, and more.

Combine the power of information and library science in a dual degree

Earn two master’s degrees in less time with a dual degree in information science and library science. You’ll graduate with wide-ranging skills and experience in shaping how people use information. Choose the dual degree when you submit your application.

Explore the dual degree requirements

Start a career at Luddy

Alumni are well-prepared for roles such as IT project manager, systems analyst, UX researcher, digital strategy consultant, and information governance specialist. Employers in business, government, nonprofit, and academic sectors seek professionals who can navigate the complex interplay between technology, policy, and human behavior.

Luddy’s career services team and faculty mentors help connect you with internships, job fairs, and industry leaders.

A few companies that have hired M.S. Information Science graduates at Luddy:
Eli Lilly and Company, Phoenix Suns, Folger Shakespeare Library, The National Agricultural Library (NAL), Cherry Bekaert

What are the career possibilities with an information science major?
Information Governance Specialist, Data Scientist, Market Research and Insights Analyst, Business Analyst, Digital Platform & Analytics Associate

Discover Luddy Career Services

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Real Research. Real Experience.

Discover Luddy Research

At Luddy and across IU, students and faculty tackle bold research in areas like bioinformatics, computational biology, security, and privacy.

Through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities in Computing program, computer science majors can gain hands-on experience, work closely with faculty or Ph.D. mentors, and build skills that open doors in tech and research careers.

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Scholarships and Financial Aid

Explore our Financial Help

Attending the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering is more affordable than you think. With direct-admit scholarships and federal financial aid, you can reduce the cost of earning your M.S. in Information Science at IU.

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Advising and Student Resources

Find Extra Help

Whether you’re an Information Science major or still exploring your options, Luddy School advisors are here to help you navigate degree requirements, seize academic opportunities, and tailor your journey to fit your goals.

Ready to start your journey at Luddy? Take the next step!