School of Information Sciences - Information Science & Technology Program

MSIS Program

Connecting people, information, and technology is at the core of the academic and research programs here at the iSchool. The Master of Science in Information Science (MSIS) degree program builds on that by preparing students for careers as information professionals, including systems analysts and designers, database developers and managers, information security experts, and more. This 36-credit program can be completed in three semesters (depending upon course schedules) of full-time study or as many as four years of part-time study.

Our Curriculum

The MSIS program offers a rigorous course of study that is also flexible, so that the specific needs of individual students can be met. The School allows you to design a course of study under the direction of your advisor that meets your individual needs. Many students use this general track option to sample multiple areas of the curriculum, while other students choose to focus on a defined specialization.

The specializations have been created to meet the specific needs of different industry and academic sectors, while still providing the necessary foundational knowledge of the general program of study.

You can choose from a wide variety of specializations including:

The specializations are described in detail here. Many of the specializations in the MSIS program feature proscribed courses of study that will be reflected in an official notation of the specialization on the transcript. Others, while providing guidance in course selection, are more flexible and will not be noted on the student’s transcript.

Statute of Limitations

The normal full-time course load is 9 to 12 credits per term; thus a full time student will complete the program in three or four terms. Those needing to complete the degree program in one academic year (three consecutive terms) must be available for both day and evening courses. The normal part-time course load is six credits per term, which permits part-time students to complete the program in six terms.

The MSIS degree program must be completed within four years of the first term in which courses were taken after admission.

Exceptions to the four-year limit due to extenuating circumstances must be approved by the iSchool faculty via a student petition.

Residence Requirements

Full-time study on campus is considered most beneficial to the student, but the iSchool recognizes that many students hold jobs or have other off-campus responsibilities that make full time study impossible. Degree requirements, therefore, can be met by full- or part-time study or a combination of both. While the school endeavors to offer a wide variety of courses (day and evening), it cannot offer as full and rich a program of studies to those who are constrained by personal obligations.

To maintain active student status, students must register for at least three credits during one of the terms of the calendar year. It is recommended that part-time students register for at least six credits during two of the three terms of the academic year to maintain reasonable progress through the program.

Our graduates are currently employed at:

• United States Steel Corporation
• Westinghouse Electric Company
• IBM
• Citigroup
• Eli Lilly & Company
• Apple, Inc.
• FedEx Ground
• Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield
• Exxon Mobil Corporation
• Cisco Systems Inc.
• UPMC Hospital
• Siemens Global
• Mellon BNY

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Learn More!

The iSchool hosts a number of opportunities for you to explore the IST program. Attend Information Sessions at the iSchool or online, whichever suits your schedule. More >

Questions?

  • Shabana Reza
    Recruitment & Admissions
  • Phone: 412-624-3988
    Fax: 412-624-5231
    E-mail: isinq@sis.pitt.edu

SIS is a member of the ISchools Caucus

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