Beginning with the incoming class of autumn 2019, the iSchool will offer students more flexibility in earning a master’s in Information Management from the UW iSchool. Read the full announcement.

Understanding the changes

How has the MSIM program changed?

Nothing has changed for the 2018-19 academic year and ensuring that all current and future MSIM students receive a world-class educational experience remains the iSchool’s top priority. 

Beginning with the incoming class of autumn 2019, students will be able to complete either the Full-Time or Mid-Career MSIM in one year. Moving forward, the 1-year timeline will be standard for the Mid-Career program, while the Full-Time program will offer either a 1-year or 2-year degree plan.

To learn more about the differences between the degree options, visit our program comparison chart.

Why is the iSchool adding this flexibility?

The new options are being added in response to student and employer demand. In particular, we hope to increase capacity in our Full-Time program, which is extremely competitive, increase the number of graduates trained to work in growing fields such as Business Intelligence and Data Science, and meet the needs of students seeking an accelerated path to a master’s degree.

What is the timeline for students completing a degree in one year?

Applications open Sept. 1, 2018, for an autumn 2019 program start. One-year degrees will require four quarters to complete, including the summer. Thus, degrees for the inaugural Full-Time 1-year students, and all new Mid-Career MSIM students will be conferred after summer quarter of the 2019-2020 academic year. Regardless, these students will be able to walk at graduation in June 2020.

Admitted and current iSchool grad students

I’m currently enrolled in MSIM or MLIS — do these changes impact me?

While the iSchool does not anticipate any impact on current graduate students, we recognize that the addition of a 1-year degree option may cause some incoming students to rethink their academic plans. If you are an incoming graduate student (MSIM or MLIS) and would like to talk to an academic advisor about this program and how it might impact your academic plans, please contact us immediately at iask@uw.edu.

Transfer students

Can I apply transfer credits toward a 1-year degree?

Yes, if approved by the academic advisor. No more than 6 quarter credits can be transferred from another institution, and the credits must meet certain University requirements. Students transferring from other institutions are expected to complete the MSIM application process as described. The final decision on accepting transfer credit is made by the academic advisor only after enrollment.

Prospective MSIM students and families, applying to enter in 2019 or later

Will the 1-year programs offer the same level of academic rigor and hands-on experience as the 2-year programs?

Yes. All 1-year MSIM students will be held to the same standards regardless of their time to degree.

The Mid-Career course curriculum has been re-designed to be completed over four quarters. The updated schedule minimizes students' time to degree while delivering a world-class experience that will prepare you to lead any organization toward change, growth and innovation.

The Full-Time program now offers increased flexibility, with students having the choice to complete their degree over one or two years, depending on their goals. The 1-year degree offers an accelerated timeline, catering to students who have focused academic and career objectives. Two-year students have more freedom to explore and are afforded the opportunity to complete both an internship and second specialization.

To learn more about the different options and which might be right for you, visit our program comparison chart.

Do the two Full-Time options have different admission requirements?

No. There is no difference in admission requirements if applying to either the 1-year or 2-year Full-Time program. The only requirement to apply all MSIM graduate programs is a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. (If your degree was earned outside the United States, it must be equivalent to a 4-year degree from the U.S.). We do not require that applicants have a bachelor's degree in a specific area or that they take specific prerequisite courses.

Competitive applicants to either the 1-year or 2-year Full-Time program will demonstrate an understanding of MSIM in their application and elucidate how their chosen degree option supports their academic and professional goals.

How will these changes impact my chances of being accepted into the Full-Time MSIM program?

While we cannot predict the admit rate for the 1-year, Full-Time program at this time, we do not expect the new option to significantly alter the acceptance rate into our 2-year, Full-Time program. For the past couple of years, the admit rate for the 2-year, Full-Time program has been below 25 percent. See class profile information for our Full-Time MSIM program.

Can I apply for both the 1-year and 2-year Full-Time option?

Prospective students are asked to carefully consider which degree option is right for them prior to applying. Full-Time candidates will be required to choose either the 1-year or 2-year time-to-degree option at the time of application. It is not possible to select both.

Is my selection of the 1-year versus 2-year Full-Time degree option binding?

Yes. Students should carefully consider which degree option is right for them prior to applying. After starting the Full-Time program, students may request a switch to the alternate option. However, these types of switches will rarely be granted, especially for those wanting to opt-in to the 1-year program, given its accelerated pace.

NOTE: Mid-Career applicants will be asked to predict whether they intend to pursue the degree in one year or two years, but this selection is non-binding and has no weight on the admissions decision. Some Mid-Career students will choose to extend their time-to-degree beyond four quarters to allow for a more moderate pace of study, or complete additional coursework for a broader skillset.

Additional Questions?

We'd like to know what they are. Please contact Student Services at 206.543.1794 or iask@uw.edu.