School of Information launches accelerated master's degree for all U-M undergraduates
Friday, 03/20/2026
By Abigail McFeeHigh-performing University of Michigan undergraduates from any major can now pursue a master’s degree from the School of Information on an accelerated timeline.
The Accelerated Master’s Degree Program, first launched in 2020, was originally designed for undergraduates in UMSI’s Bachelor of Science in Information program, allowing them to earn a master’s degree in just one year. 195 students have graduated from the AMDP to date, going on to successful careers like UX designer at Ford Motor Company, AI model trainer at DataAnnotation, UX librarian at U-M Flint and analyst at Red Ventures.
Now, U-M undergraduates from other schools and colleges on the Ann Arbor campus will have the opportunity to earn a Master of Science in Information degree in three academic terms.
What are the benefits of an accelerated master’s degree as a U-M undergrad?
The accelerated timeline reduces tuition costs by about 25%. It also enables earlier career advancement, since students can graduate — and begin earning the salary associated with a master’s degree — a semester sooner.
To qualify for the AMDP, you must currently be enrolled at UM–Ann Arbor with a minimum 3.2 GPA. You will register for the program by submitting an application in your senior year, with a final deadline of May 1. Qualified students are automatically admitted.
“We’re especially excited that students from any undergraduate major can participate, because the field of information science benefits from many different perspectives,” said Laura Elgas, assistant dean for academic and student affairs. “It’s a great way to make graduate education more accessible for talented Michigan students, while preparing them to become leaders in information and technology.”
What is the Master of Science in Information program?
The MSI program builds technical expertise with a human-centered approach — a skill set in demand across industries. The program is known for its well-rounded curriculum, emphasis on hands-on learning with real clients, and career preparation. These features are fully maintained in the accelerated format.
Students have four pathways to choose from: Big Data Analytics, Libraries, Archives and Knowledge Environments in Society, User-Centered Agile Development and User Experience Research and Design.
“The program prepares you to feel confident both in your technical skills and these soft skills that are super important,” said Charlotte Parent, a BSI graduate pursuing an accelerated master’s degree from UMSI on the Big Data Analytics pathway. “It’s a rigorous, data-driven program… The fact that it’s in the School of Information, that it’s still the UMSI community, swayed me.”