The application deadline for the Day/Full-Time MSIM is January 15. The priority application deadline for the Mid-Career MSIM is May 1. Applications for the Mid-Career MSIM program received after May 1 will be considered on a space-available basis. The recommended application deadline for international MSIM applicants (to either program option) who require a student (F-1) visa is November 1.

The tuition rates for the 2010-2011 academic year are: $607/per credit hour for the full-time MSIM program (need a total of 65 credits to graduate) and $667/per credit hour for the Mid-Career track MSIM program (need a total of 47 credits to graduate).   Tuition rates may change slightly, and are provided solely for planning purposes for prospective students.  Please see this site for more up-to-date information about tuition and fees for the MSIM program: http://www.outreach.washington.edu/evedeg/graduate/admitted.asp

All applications will be reviewed within six weeks following the domestic applicant priority deadline (January 15 for Day/Full-Time MSIM; May 1 for Mid-Career MSIM). Applicants should receive notification within two months. Early application is encouraged to ensure that all application materials are received by the deadline.

For admissions considerations, no preference is given to one test over another. Students should take the test that best suits their background, strengths and interests.

The code for the MSIM program (both Day/Full-Time and part-time Mid-Career) for the GRE and the TOEFL is 4854.

There is no pre–defined minimum required score. All aspects of the application are considered.

You must take the GRE or GMAT test prior to the application deadline of the MSIM program. While we prefer to receive your offical scores prior to the application deadline, if your official scores are not available before the deadline, you may temporarily submit unofficial scores. Official scores must be received as soon as possible after the deadline to ensure a full review.

We accept GRE or GMAT scores of any “age,” but we require written documentation of the score from an official source: either an official score sheet from Educational Testing Service (ETS) or a score sheet or letter from a previous university on official letterhead. 

We require official transcripts from all schools from which you've earned degrees. We must have the transcripts that show your degree(s) and last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits of work. You may also choose to submit other transcripts that show coursework you think may be valuable for the admissions committee to review. Certificates are optional.

The personal statement is your opportunity to present your goals and experience as they relate to information management. We’re interested in how you see the field from your own personal perspective—what drew you to it in your past experience? What do you hope to do after you graduate? What is it that excites you about the field and makes you want to dive deeper into it? We’re assessing 1) your understanding of what information management is 2) your understanding of how it fits with what we teach and 3) your writing skills.

If you would like to take iSchool courses without formerly being in a program, please read carefully the following pages: http://www.ischool.washington.edu/non-degree/non-matriculated/MSIM.aspx.  

Both of the MSIM programs are fee-based programs, meaning that the full cost of running the program is shifted to the student (rather than split between the state and student). In-state tuition and tuition waiver/exemption cannot be used on fee-based programs.

UW tuition-exemption benefit applies only to state-supported programs, and not fee-based programs. However, fee-based students are eligible to receive financial aid to help cover the cost of tuition.

We have students from all backgrounds in the program; about half from humanities/social sciences and half from science/technical backgrounds. You can select from a set of basic introductory courses that will help you get up to speed in programming, databases, web technologies and networking fundamentals; as well as, draw from all disciplines to help understand the issues and ideas in the area of information management. Check out our curriculum pages for more information: http://www.ischool.washington.edu/msim/courses.aspx.

The MSIM program’s focus is on information and people. Other programs focus on information systems, the technology or hardware aspect, whereas our program really emphasizes how information is organized and accessed by users. We teach students techniques in information gathering and presentation that’s best suited to the users. It takes a human centered approach, rather than focusing on the technological aspects. The curriculum is split into three main strands, focused on information, management and technology. You have two to three core courses in each of these areas, then after that it's up to you which direction you head. We have a computer lab which has virtually every operating system and application you could ever want to use, and it's available to all our students. Check out our curriculum pages for more information: http://www.ischool.washington.edu/msim/courses.aspx.

There is some overlap in the technology and information pieces between the informatics and MSIM programs, but with the MSIM, you'll get the management training that you wouldn't from the informatics degree.

Generally, the Day/Full-Time program is designed for the "traditional" student who is able to attend school fulltime and during the day. Day/Full-Time students need not have professional work experience in information management or information technology. The Mid-Career MSIM program is designed for professionals who are currently working in the information science or technology fields and who wish to expand their knowledge and skills to advance their careers. Mid-Career MSIM program students will attend classes on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings.

Other differences in the two tracks are outlined below:

All MSIM students are required to complete a Capstone project in their final quarter. It is a student chosen and designed project that provides you the opportunity to apply degree concepts to a real life problem, and present your solution to the community at the end of the quarter. This is a major event where we invite Capstone project sponsors, friends, family, employers, and others interested in our students at the end of the quarter, and each student (or team) presents their work in a poster. It's a great way to end your education, and show prospective employers and others your final product.

We make a point of bringing in both guest lecturers within courses, and guest faculty to teach courses, from many organizations around Puget Sound, including Microsoft, Getty Images, the state of Washington's CIO office, and many others. This is one of the most valuable parts for many students, since it gives them a chance to make contacts with organizations, hear about what they are doing and thinking, and get a practical slant on the theoretical foundations we teach.

SCHOLARSHIPS-INTERNATIONAL: International students are eligible for iSchool scholarships, but we have very few available and they do not cover the entire cost of tuition and fees, Consideration for iSchool scholarships is automatic at the time we review your application. There are other opportunities for international students to receive scholarships, For more information, please go to: http://www.ischool.washington.edu/resources/finaid/international.aspx

SCHOLARSHIPS-MSIM SOURCE: information about scholarships and employment opportunities is http://www.ischool.washington.edu/resources/finaid/msim.aspx.

ASSISTANTSHIPS-ISCHOOL: The Information School does offer some assistantships and the application process becomes available in January/February of 2010. We will post the positions when they become available (along with the application process) on the following website: http://www.ischool.washington.edu/people/studenttempopenings.aspx

ASSISTANTSHIPS-UW GENERAL: Additionally, you are eligible to apply for assistantships on campus in other departments. Each department has its own process, and you will need to be search department websites to find these positions and apply for them. Please check out the following website: http://www.washington.edu/admin/hr/roles/student/index.html

GRADUATE SCHOOL RESOURCES: Find information on outside funding, fellowships, grants, employment, etc. for the UW graduate student: http://www.grad.washington.edu/students/fa/index.shtml

FINANCIAL AID: The UW Financial Aid office is the best place to talk about your range of financial aid options. Please see this link for details, or if you want to set up an appointment with an advisor: http://www.ischool.washington.edu/resources/finaid/default.aspx

The range of placements goes from very technical (usually for those students that came into the program with technical background already), to more management-focused positions. Students go into all sorts of jobs, from information architects to business analysts to database administrators. Since we place our students as interns with many companies during the 2-year Day/Full-Time MSIM program, there is a better chance that you will get hired. Some sample positions include project manager, IT advisor, risk advisory services intern, IT intern, business analyst, etc. Sample placement locations for internships include Boeing, KPMG, Nordstrom , T-Mobile, Ascentium , Microsoft, and King County Transit Metro. One of the values of the MSIM degree is the variety of positions it prepares you for and the knowledge base you gain that allows you to work in multiple situations. Some of the choices will be determined by the electives you choose, others by your interests. Starting salaries for our graduates are in the range of $65,000-85,000. Our students are successful in finding employment upon graduation. Day students in particular are required to do an internship as part of the degree, so the experience gives them valuable work skills which makes them more competitive in finding employment.

The academic advisor assists with facilitating the internship process. We hold information sessions to give you an overview of the timeline, and we find out what the students' interests are and make introductions between you and the employer (if appropriate), but the majority of the legwork falls upon the students. The students are responsible for looking for the opportunities, contacting the employer, and applying for the position. The academic advisor will help you identify the potential opportunities, facilitate introductions, review your resume, and give interview tips.

It is strongly recommended that you own a home computer (PC based) and have a fast Internet connection (56K modem minimal, DSL or Cable modem preferred). Some students bring laptops to class, but that is not required. Software requirements vary depending on the class. All software is available in the iSchool's computer lab. Software changes rapidly so we cannot anticipate in advance precise products and versions. In our courses, the iSchool tends to offer and use the most current version of the software available.

A student who successfully completes this program will be exposed to the technologies and management theories necessary to understand and lead an organization’s information management initiatives. Graduates will excel in the following areas:

• Knowledge Organization—organizing knowledge assets for more effective retrieval and use;
• Systems Analysis, Development, and Integration—developing and managing information systems informed by user and organizational needs;
• Leadership and Change Management—using techniques for initiating and leading change, communicating effectively, and promoting teamwork; and
• Strategic Alignment of IT and Business Goals—considering the competitive and regulatory environment of their organizations when making IT decisions.

The part-time, Mid-Career program is particularly designed with professionals in the Pacific Northwest in mind. Many current students are working locally in IT and management positions while pursuing their degree. Current MSIM students have stated that they chose to pursue this degree to refine skills and fill in gaps in their previous education or professional experiences for advancement or professional development.

The full-time, Day program is designed for students from any location, national or international. Day students do not need to have work experience in the information science and technology fields, and may have diverse educational backgrounds, including science, business, or liberal arts.

If you want to increase your knowledge and advance your skills with information technology, management, and knowledge organization theory and practice – all from a human–centered perspective, then you should consider pursuing the MSIM.