Trying to decide between the residential and online MSIM modes? Get your questions answered below.

Q: Is an online MSIM degree the same as a residential MSIM degree?

A: Yes. Admissions and graduation requirements for residential and online students are identical, and all graduates earn the same Master of Science in Information Management degree. 

Q: What are the differences between the residential and online delivery modes?

A: All MSIM degree options (Early-Career, Early-Career Accelerated and Mid-Career) are offered in two modes, residential and online. The courses, credits and requirements are all the same. 

Key differences:

• Program start dates: Students in the online option have four opportunities to begin the program each year (September, January, March, June). Conversely, all new residential students matriculate in Autumn. 
• Application process: Application processes and timelines vary by degree option and modality, and candidates are advised to pay careful attention to the dates and details associated with their chosen program track and mode of study.
• Part-time vs. full-time: All online and Mid-Career students can complete their studies part-time. Residential students in the Early-Career and Early-Career Accelerated degree options are strongly encouraged to be enrolled full-time. 
• Visa eligibility: International students can pursue their studies in the modality of their choice; however, online students will not be issued an F-1 visa or be eligible for Curricular Practical Training employment authorization.
• Specializations: The residential options offer six specializations while the online options currently offer four of these six specializations. 
• Program customization vs. program flexibility: Online MSIM students benefit from maximum program flexibility, however, residential students have more opportunity to customize their learning experience. The right modality for you will depend on your learning preferences, goals and lifestyle.  

Q: Are there any in-person requirements for online MSIM students (orientation or experiential learning)?

A: No. We offer an optional on-campus immersion program each year — the MSIM Online Student Summit (MOSS) — to enhance the learning experience for online students, but there are no graduation requirements that require in-person participation.  

Q: How will the online courses be delivered?

A: Courses delivered remotely have some synchronous (real-time) elements, but are mostly asynchronous so you can participate on your own schedule. Synchronous sessions will take place in the early morning or evening Pacific time on weekdays and weekends (approximately 1.5 hours a week, per course).

Q: Will online courses be taught by Information School instructors?

A: All instructors teaching MSIM courses are Information School faculty, which is composed of full-time core faculty and part-time guest faculty with deep industry and technical expertise. Online courses are designed and developed by core full-time faculty to ensure a world-class academic experience and will be delivered primarily by industry experts who infuse the courses with real-world case studies, practical know-how and cutting-edge technical skills. 

Q: Do online students pay the same tuition and fees as residential students?

A: Yes. Tuition is based on the number of credits taken and the per-credit fee is the same for all students, regardless of state residency, program track or mode of study. In addition to tuition, students should budget for additional fees. Student fees assessed for the previous academic year can be reviewed here. These fees increase annually.

Q: Are international students eligible to apply?

A: Yes. However, online students will not be issued an F-1 visa or be eligible for Curricular Practical Training employment authorization. 

Q: Can online MSIM students attend residential (on-campus) classes, or vice versa? 

A: No. All MSIM students will be required to take 100% of their coursework in their designated program mode, meaning online students will only take online courses. Residential students take most or all of their courses in-person on the Seattle campus, with some limited online course offerings.  

Q: Are all six specializations available to students regardless of program track/mode?

A: Not at this time. Currently, online students, regardless of track, are able to complete the Artificial Intelligence, Business Intelligence, Data Science, or Program/Product Management & Consulting specializations. Select electives from the other specializations will also be available and we plan to add courses in the coming years that will increase availability of additional specializations to online students regardless of their program track. 

All six specializations are available to residential students. Residential students in the Mid-Career program track whose schedules require evening/weekend classes only have access to Artificial Intelligence, Business Intelligence, Data Science, and Program/Product Management & Consulting. Mid-Career residential students who have more flexibility can pursue the User Experience or Information Architecture specializations.

Q: Can I complete my MSIM as a part-time student?

A: All Online and Mid-Career students can complete their studies part-time. Residential students in the Early-Career and Early-Career Accelerated degree options are strongly encouraged to be enrolled full-time. Students on an F-1 visa must maintain full-time enrollment while in any of the three residential degree tracks. 

Q: How long does it take to earn my MSIM as a part-time student?

A: Assuming a per-quarter course load of two courses (6-9 credits), the average time to degree for part-time MSIM students would be:

• Early-Career MSIM (65 credits): nine 10-week quarters
• Early-Career Accelerated MSIM (40 credits): five quarters
• Mid-Career MSIM (36 credits): five quarters

Students can choose to take more than two courses per quarter to shorten their time to degree, or only one course per quarter as-needed to balance other commitments (maximum time allowed is six years). You will be paired with a student success & academic advisor to help you come up with a degree plan that works for you.

Q: How do online students participate in events and activities to build community, network with prospective employers and engage in student life?

A: Online students are engaged in community-building activities with their core classes in the online mode and are paired with a student success & academic advisor who guides their development and engages them in the life of the Information School. 

The Information School student experience includes voluntary participation in student groups as well as virtual workshops and events delivered by Career Services, iEngage and the MSIM program faculty and staff. The Information School hosts many events throughout the academic year that are offered in a blended environment, including research talks and guest speakers.

Q: Do online students have the same access to internship and career planning resources as residential students?

A: Students in the online degree options are offered virtual one-on-one advising, help with general job search strategies, resume and cover letter workshops, interview advice, and career management modules to support their job search activities. All MSIM students, regardless of their program mode, also have access to career events and programming offered through the Information School and the University of Washington Career and Internship Center. Some of these events will be virtual while others will require in-person attendance. 

Q: What are the career outcomes for online MSIM students?

A: MSIM student career outcomes are as diverse as our student population. Depending on your educational background, professional experience and chosen field, you will see a variety of career outcomes. 

Q: Do I have access to campus resources (UW Libraries, disability services, student employment, athletic facilities, etc.) even though I am a student in an online program?

A: Yes, as a student at the UW, you will have access to these services, though some campus resources cannot be delivered remotely. 

Q: Does the UW offer discounts on hardware (Macs and PCs) to online MSIM students?

A: Yes, all UW students have access to various benefits on Apple and Dell computers through the Whole U benefits site.

Q: Does UW offer discounts on software to online MSIM students?

A: Yes, all UW students have access to Software for the UW (UWare) and all Information School students have access to additional free and discounted software titles listed on our Software Resources page. Many Microsoft titles are available for free to Information School students.

Still have questions?

Read this article about finding your fit or email us at iask@uw.edu.