Introduction

Welcome to the UW Information School. As a member of our outstanding community of faculty, staff, students and alumnae, we invite you to participate in the intellectual and social life of the iSchool by engaging in coursework and research opportunities, joining student organizations and assuming leadership roles and networking with professionals in the information field.

Our iSchool web-based handbook is designed as a road map to help you navigate your academic program and contains essential information regarding academic requirements and policies. It also details services and resources available to students through both the iSchool and the UW. As a student, you are responsible for being familiar with and adhering to the information outlined in these pages. We recommend that you bookmark this site as a first reference and be aware of updates that may occur due to the dynamic nature of the UW and the iSchool.

No handbook can answer the questions for every scenario students encounter and it is important that you communicate your questions, concerns or suggestions regarding your experiences as an iSchool student to your program’s academic advisor or member of the faculty. The Information School faculty and staff members are committed to offering you the best possible learning environment. We encourage you to get to know us, ask questions and get involved with the iSchool community to make the most of your educational experience.

The iSchool offers four distinct degree programs: PhD in Information Science, Master of Library and Information Science, Master of Science in Information Management and Bachelor of Science in Informatics. While each degree is designed to help students achieve a specific professional goal in the information field, some courses are offered across programs. In addition, students are encouraged to take elective classes across programs.

Each of the iSchool degree programs has its own set of course requirements that students must complete in order to graduate. It is each student’s responsibility to be familiar with the requirements for the degree and to track his/her degree progress. Refer to the appropriate link below for details on your degree program requirements. If you have questions about your degree requirements, check with your program’s academic advisor for clarification.