Information Tools

Master of Science in Information Management

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MSIM Application Materials

To begin your application, visit the Application for Graduate Study and create a log-in ID and password. Select the MSIM program on the “Program Selection” tab of your application as soon as you open your application to save all the correct information. Watch a 3-minute application walkthrough for more support. 

Retain your log-in ID and password, as you will need them to:

  • Save a partially completed application
  • Pay the application fee ($90 payable by debit or credit card)
  • Monitor the submission of recommendations and test scores (if applicable)
  • Check the status of your application

Once you have paid the fee, you will be unable to make further changes to your application with the exception of letters of recommendation, contact information and transcript updates.

Application Checklist

Review and/or consideration of incomplete applications or late materials is at the discretion of the MSIM admissions committee. If application materials are missing due to circumstances beyond the applicant's control, the committee will take that into consideration and make its judgment based on the information available.

Specialization Selection

Applicants are required to indicate their top specialization preferences in ranked order.

  • Early-Career: three specializations
  • Early-Career Accelerated: two specializations
  • Mid-Career: two specializations

Applicants not planning to do a specialization should select "No specialization."

Online applicants should note that not all specializations are available in the online modality. Residential Mid-Career applicants should note that not all specialization courses are offered during the evening or weekend. 

Statement of Purpose

Tell us about your interest in the MSIM program. Your responses to each of the three prompts should be crafted carefully and well-written. You will be asked to submit these separately in the application system. Each response should be 250-300 words in length. Before you write, we recommend that you review the School Mission & Vision, IDEAS statement and the MSIM program sections on our website.  

This application is the beginning of a relationship with the UW Information School. We trust, therefore, that all written responses are authentic. Your writing should be a reflection of your professional identity and integrity. In other words, all written responses must be factual and original, a true representation of you. Accordingly, you should not use artificial intelligence tools, such as ChatGPT, to write for you. Nor should you ask someone else to write for you.

  1. Your professional goals. Information Management is a broad, interdisciplinary area of study and professional practice. Tell us about your interest in Information Management. What are your professional goals? What knowledge, skills or expertise do you plan to develop in the MSIM program? Tell us how you are prepared to meet these goals and why they are important to you.   

  1. Leadership. Leadership is a central focus in the MSIM program. Tell us about your managerial and leadership experiences. What managerial and leadership skills would you like to develop in the MSIM program? Considering your career goals, tell us why these skills are important to you.

  1. Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Sovereignty. The Information School makes a commitment to IDEAS in all that we do. Tell us about your experiences with one or more of these values. How would you contribute to advancing these values in the MSIM program and beyond? 

Recommendations (2 Required)

Enter the names and contact information for two references. These individuals will be sent an email prompt with instructions for submitting their recommendation online.

Request recommendations from two people who know you well and who are able to comment on your academic competence, ability to engage in graduate study, potential for future success in the information management profession, or who can comment on your employment experience. Unless academic- or work-related, do not submit recommendations from family members, clergy or friends.

Résumé or Curriculum Vitae 

Upload a PDF of your résumé or curriculum vitae. There is no preferred formatting or specific requirements that need to be met. However, your submission should include the following information, as applicable:

  • Academic history (including institution, degree, dates of attendance)
  • Professional experience (including employer, position title, dates of employment)
    • Mid-Career MSIM applicants must demonstrate at least five years of full-time, professional work experience post-undergraduate degree. Applicants to the Early-Career and Early-Career Accelerated degree tracks  are not required to have work experience.
  • Involvement with volunteer, community and/or diversity-related activities including the organization, position title and dates of service
  • Honors, awards, publications and presentations
  • Research experience

Employment History Form

Applicants are asked to share with us up to the last 5-years of work history. This greatly helps us explain the experiences of our MSIM applicants and students.

Extenuating Circumstances (optional)

If there are extenuating circumstances, not addressed in other sections of your application, related to your academic transcript, resume, test scores or other facets of your application that you would like the admissions committee to consider, please describe them. Please limit your response to 250 words.

Transcripts

In the Report Prior Schools section of the the Application for Graduate Study, list all schools (colleges, universities and institutions) where you have earned collegiate-level credit.

In the Submit Transcripts section of the application, upload a transcript for each school listed.

Each transcript should be complete, legible and include the following: name of the institution, name of the student, dates of attendance, courses taken, grades/marks/credits earned and be organized by term (quarters, semesters or trimesters).

Please observe the following guidelines:

  • All transcripts should be submitted through the Application for Graduate Study. Please do not mail (or email) transcripts to the iSchool unless specifically directed to do so.
  • The following types of documents can be accepted:
    • Unofficial transcript from the school, often a PDF
    • Official transcript that the applicant scans and uploads into the Application for Graduate Study
    • Information from an online system or dashboard (Applicants are welcome to copy/paste into a Word document. As long as it is complete and legible, we are happy to accept it.)
  • Applicants should not submit transcripts that they have typed out themselves. Any documentation that is submitted should originate from the degree-granting institution.
  • Foreign transcripts: if not in English, must be accompanied by an English translation.

Please note: The MSIM admissions committee retains the right to require that official transcripts be submitted for review at any time; during the application process or after admissions decisions have been made.

Applicants admitted to the program who accept the offer of admission will be required to submit official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions to the Graduate School.

English Language Proficiency Requirement for Non-Native English Speakers

Beginning with applicants for Winter 2027. All MSIM applicants must meet the recommended English Proficiency score set by the Graduate School UW Policy 3.2, and complete the speaking portion of the IELTS or TOEFL with the scores indicated below. The Information School has set higher standards than those listed by the Graduate School.

Non-native English speakers will indicate how they will fulfill the requirement in the application. 

The options are:

  • Official TOEFL scores — minimum score of 4.5 with speaking score of 4.5
    • submitted to the UW with ETS code 4854; use department code 99
  • Official IELTS scores — minimum score of 7.0 with speaking score of 7.0
    • submitted to the UW with organization code 365
  • Official Duolingo scores — minimum score of 125 with speaking score of 140
  • Bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree from U.S. or a specific country in Policy 3.2
    • No additional documentation is required. We will use the transcript submitted with the application to verify that the requirement has been fulfilled.
  • Medium of Instruction document from an undergraduate institution
    • We will accept a notation directly on the transcript or a separate document issued by the institution.
  • Note: Appeal interviews will not be considered; test scores must be met for application review.

Post-Application Questions (optional)

Once you have submitted your application, you will be asked to complete some optional post-application questions to help us understand how you heard of the program and what other programs you are considering. The answers to these questions are not shared with the admissions review committee, and are reviewed after application decisions have been made. 

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