Jump to Main Content
Jump to Top Navigation
Jump to Page Navigation
Jump to Footer Navigation
University of Washington

University of Washington Information School

  • Programs
    • Informatics Undergraduate major and minor
    • MLIS Master of Library and Information Science
    • MSIM Master of Science in Information Management
    • Ph.D. Doctorate in Information Science
    • More Options Professional development and continuing education
  • Research
    • Updates The latest news from our faculty and research staff
    • Research Areas Core topics of iSchool research
    • Research Groups Hubs for innovative scholarship & research
    • Grants & Awards Recent funding for iSchool research projects
    • Research Events Guest lectures and our Research Fair showcase
  • News & Events
    • News The latest stories from our community
    • Events What's happening on campus and beyond
    • Podcast Documents That Changed the World, with Joe Janes
  • People
    • Directory Find iSchool faculty, staff and students
    • Alumni Stay connected with the iSchool and fellow alumni
    • Advising & Support Find help from our team of student advisors
    • Faculty Affairs Making the iSchool a joyful professional community for faculty
  • The School
    • About Us The iSchool is home to innovators and leaders who make information work
    • Diversity We are committed to building an inclusive community
    • Employers & Partners How to collaborate with faculty and students
    • Capstone Students work with organizations to solve information problems
    • Support the iSchool Every gift makes a difference to students
Customize Your
Experience

Would you like to see information for Future Students, Current Students, Faculty & Staff, or Everyone?

Audience Tools
Search Menu
banner image

Master of Science in Information Management

  • Informatics
  • MLIS
  • MSIM
    • Academics
    • Admissions
    • Degree Options
      • Early-Career
      • Early-Career Accelerated
      • Mid-Career
      • MSIM online portal
      • Residential & online FAQ
    • Specializations
    • Careers
    • Tuition, Aid & Scholarships
  • Ph.D.
    • Academics
    • Admissions
    • Committees
    • Scholarships & Funding
    • People
  • More Options

Resources:

  • Advising & Support
  • Capstone Projects
  • Upcoming Info Sessions
  • Videos: Alumni at Work
  • Request more information

MSIM Degree Options

  1. Programs
  2. MSIM
  3. Degree Options

You can tailor the iSchool’s Master of Science in Information Management to suit your goals. We offer three degree options: Early-Career, Early-Career Accelerated and Mid-Career.

Residential or Online

Starting in 2021, students can apply as either a residential or online student in their selected degree option. Residential students take most or all of their classes on campus in Seattle, Washington, while online students complete the entire program remotely, from anywhere in the world.

  • Learn more about the MSIM program online
  • FAQ: MSIM residential & online

MSIM Early-Career 

An Early-Career MSIM degree complements a bachelor’s degree in business, humanities, social sciences, arts or sciences by opening new doors to careers in information-related fields. Early-Career MSIM students explore a wide range of information management topics through instruction and hands-on experiences over 65 quarter credits, completing up to two specializations, a Capstone project, and often a full-time summer internship. 

Enrollment in the Early-Career MSIM program track is open to domestic and international applicants, and you do not need prior experience in the information field in order to apply. We welcome students from all disciplinary backgrounds.  Learn more about the Early-Career MSIM degree option.

Residential students take classes full-time over two years, often taking the summer between year one and two to complete a full-time internship. Residential classes are typically offered during the traditional daytime Monday through Friday schedule. Those interested in a part-time schedule or added flexibility should apply for the online Early-Career option.

MSIM Early-Career Accelerated

The Early-Career Accelerated MSIM option is well-suited for recent graduates who wish to augment their credentials with a master's degree in a high-demand field. Students in the Early-Career Accelerated degree option take 40 quarter credits, completing a set of foundational core classes and one specialization (or a mix of electives tailored to their goals and interests). The curriculum culminates with a practicum experience for which students can complete an industry-sponsored Capstone project, internship or faculty-directed research project. 

Enrollment in the Early-Career Accelerated MSIM program track is open to domestic and international applicants, and you do not need prior experience in the information field in order to apply. Learn more about the Early-Career Accelerated MSIM degree option.

Residential students take classes full-time over one year and classes are typically offered during the traditional daytime Monday through Friday schedule. Those interested in earning their degree part-time while working, or who need added flexibility should apply for the online Early-Career Accelerated option.

MSIM Mid-Career

The Mid-Career MSIM option is well-suited for working professionals that have five or more years of related professional experience. The program allows you to pursue your degree part-time, while also maintaining your current job. The Mid-Career MSIM recognizes your experience by waiving some credits required of Early-Career students. Students in the Mid-Career MSIM degree option take 36 quarter credits, completing a set of foundational core classes and one specialization in as little as one year. Students can extend their stay in the program if they wish to complete an additional specialization or prefer a slower pace to balance their other commitments. Learn more about the Mid-Career degree option.

Residential Mid-Career core courses and numerous electives required for the Business Intelligence, Data Science, Program/Product Management and Consulting, and Information and Cyber Security specializations are offered at night and on weekends. If you have flexibility in your schedule to take daytime courses, you can complete the User Experience or Information Architecture specializations as a Residential student. Those interested in Business Intelligence, Data Science or Program/Product Management and Consulting who are not local to Seattle or who need added flexibility while pursuing their degree should apply for the online Mid-Career option.

Which MSIM is right for you?

Program / Duration Program features

Early-Career
 

  • 65 credits, completed in as few as 6 quarters with most residential classes during the day on weekdays, or entirely online on your schedule. 
  • Complete up to 2 specializations and a Capstone project.
  • Opportunity to complete 1 or more internships or research projects. 
  • For international residential students: Up to 4 quarters of Curricular Practical Training available.*
  • Access to iSchool resources, including the Career Services team and iCareers database, for the full duration of their program - at least two years.
This MSIM is right for you if ...
You are a recent college graduate or have less than five years' professional experience, and you are looking for an opportunity to explore a wider range of topics and their real-world applications through class and sponsored projects. 

Early-Career Accelerated

  • 40 credits, completed in as few as 4 quarters with most residential classes during the day on weekdays, or entirely online on your schedule.
  • Option to complete 1 specialization, or use electives to customize your learning.
  • Opportunity to gain hands-on experience through a required practicum, which includes three options: internship, faculty-directed research project, or sponsored project.
  • For international residential students: Up to 1 quarter of Curricular Practical Training available.*
This MSIM is right for you if ...
You have focused academic goals. This program is designed to maximize learning across as little as one year and is suitable for recent college graduates or early-career professionals.

Mid-Career

  • 36 credits, completed in as few as four quarters either on-campus in Seattle or entirely online on your schedule.
  • Earn your degree part-time while working full-time. Residential courses are taught in the evenings or on Saturdays.
  • Option to complete 1 or more specializations. Additional specializations require added credits. 
This MSIM is right for you if ...
You are a working professional with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience, and you'd like to earn your master's degree while working or balancing other commitments.
* Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is temporary employment authorization for F-1 visa non-immigrant foreign students in the United States while enrolled in a college-level degree program. Eligibility is determined on an individual basis.

Resources:

  • Advising & Support
  • Capstone Projects
  • Upcoming Info Sessions
  • Videos: Alumni at Work
  • Request more information

News

Two women work on a project.

Summit brings online MSIM students to campus

Monday, March 20, 2023
Journalist and author Mónica Guzman’s advice for Master of Science in Information Management students: “Where you can, welcome disagreement.” She shared those words with dozens of online students March 17 at the opening keynote...
Read more

World struggles to make progress on meaningful access to information

Thursday, March 16, 2023
Information access is a fundamental driver of many of the goals in the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, yet many countries are struggling to make progress. A new analysis has found that statistical indicators of...
Read more

Events

Mar 28
 
3:00-5:00PM

Informatics Application Essay Review

Zoom / Online
Mar 28
 
5:00-6:00PM

Informatics Last Chance Admissions Q&A Session

Zoom / Online
Mar 29
 
3:30-4:30PM

Informatics Program Overview for Future UW Seattle Freshman and Current High School Students

Zoom / Online
Mar 30
 
3:00-5:00PM

Informatics Application Essay Review

Zoom / Online
iSchools.org
  • Jobs
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Logo & Brand Guidelines
  • IT / Help Desk
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Make a Gift
iSchools.org
© 2023 UW Information School
Box 352840 - Mary Gates Hall, Ste. 370
Seattle, WA 98195-2840
United States of America
206-685-9937
Close menu
Toolkit
Customize
Your Experience
Change audience type

Search:

All People
  • Programs
    • Informatics
    • MLIS
    • MSIM
    • Ph.D.
    • More Options
  • Research
    • Updates
    • Research Areas
    • Research Groups
    • Grants & Awards
    • Research Events
  • News & Events
    • News
    • Events
    • Podcast
  • People
    • Directory
    • Alumni
    • Advising & Support
    • Faculty Affairs
  • The School
    • About Us
    • Diversity
    • Employers & Partners
    • Capstone
    • Support the iSchool

toolkit

  • iSchool Intranet
  • MyUW
  • Outlook on the web
  • Office 365
  • Workday
  • UW Time Schedule
  • UW Academic Calendar
  • iSchool Slack
  • Knowledge Base
  • Watermark
  • Azure Dev Tools
  • Online Learning Help
  • Zoom
  • Streaming Support
  • Canvas LMS
  • Qualtrics
  • Emergency Info
  • Site Login
Loading Results...Loading search results, please wait.

Highlights

Full Results

See Full Results
See Full Directory

Customize Your Experience

  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Everyone