Frequently asked questions: Master of Science in Information program
Program questions
The Master of Science in Information program is a great fit for you if:
- You enjoy figuring out how people interact with technology, and want to use design and data to build better solutions.
- You're interested in careers that require both technical expertise and an understanding of people, such as product management, consulting, data analytics, UX design, information architecture, entrepreneurship, and leadership roles in libraries, archives and museums.
- You want to build a portfolio through hands‑on projects, internships and client‑based work.
- You want to develop a skill set that is in demand across sectors, and will remain relevant as industries and technologies evolve.
You can apply to the MSI program with any undergraduate degree. UMSI students come from more than 100 undergraduate majors, including the humanities, social sciences, and natural and physical sciences, as well as professional programs in education, nursing, social work, business and engineering. Experience with computer applications and statistics is helpful, but no specific undergraduate courses are required — we will teach you everything you need to succeed.
No coding experience is required. Many students enter the MSI program with little to no programming background, and every student takes Programming I, a core course, during the first semester of the program.
Yes, the MSI program is a STEM-designated program.
There are no prerequisite courses for the MSI program. To apply, you need a four-year bachelor’s degree, or international equivalent, from an accredited college or university. We do not require the GRE.
MSI graduates go on to work for top tech, finance and consulting companies, government and health care organizations, libraries, museums, automotive companies, global entertainment companies, nonprofits and startups. They bring technical expertise, strategic insight and a human-centered perspective to roles like data engineer, product designer, UX researcher, digital archivist and business analyst. Explore MSI career outcomes.
You’ll be supported by UMSI’s Career Development Office, which offers personalized career coaching, internship and career courses for academic credit, access to job and internship opportunities, a robust on-campus recruiting program and career resource library, and access to a strong network of UMSI and U-M alumni, career mentors and employers.
You will choose one of these five pathways to shape your curriculum:
The MSI program allows you to choose from five pathways, and even change your pathway during your first semester. After you select a pathway, your coursework follows a more defined structure. You’ll complete prerequisite courses, choose from a curated list of selective requirements and finish with a mastery course. This structure is designed to ensure you develop advanced knowledge and skills in your chosen pathway.
You’ll also have nine credits of graduate electives, which can include courses from other MSI pathways, courses in other U-M schools and colleges or UMSI internship courses, allowing you to broaden your skills and explore additional interests alongside your pathway.
MSI faculty come from more than 30 academic disciplines — from computer science to library science to public health. They shape national conversations, redefine industries and drive sustainable change in partnership with communities. Meet UMSI faculty.
Your classes will be based on UM-Ann Arbor’s North Campus in the Leinweber Computer Science and Information Building, a state-of-the-art facility featuring modern classrooms, design and AR/VR studios, a maker lab and a student lounge. The Leinweber Building is connected by a bridge to the College of Engineering, enabling collaboration and shared events. Nearby, you will find the Duderstadt Center, an interdisciplinary innovation hub that is open to all members of the U-M community, as well as casual dining options, a coffee shop, wooded trails and fountains.
MSI students are encouraged and actively supported by the Career Development Office to pursue internships, which most students do between the first and second year of the program. You can take a one-credit elective course, SI 505: Career and Internship Search Studio, to get prepared for a successful internship search, and you can earn up to nine course credits from approved internships. To see examples of MSI internships, explore internship outcomes.
Yes! MSI students have the option to study abroad for a semester, a relatively rare offering among graduate schools. Explore study abroad opportunities.
At UMSI, graduate students can engage in research projects with UMSI faculty and doctoral students. You’ll gain exposure to cutting-edge methodologies and technologies, preparing you for career paths in academia and industry. There are a few options for students interested in research:
- Research Experience Development Program: REDP is a cocurricular offering that pairs students with experienced UMSI researchers, allowing you to develop research skills while providing valuable assistance to faculty and advanced doctoral students.
- Independent Study: If you would like to explore a research area or topic with a UMSI faculty member that is not offered through an existing course, you may choose to enroll in an independent study course, earning one to three credits toward your MSI degree.
- Master’s Thesis Option Program: Work closely with a faculty advisor to conduct original research and write a thesis. You will apply to MTOP at the end of your first year in the MSI program and, if accepted, enroll in the MTOP course in the fall and winter terms of your second year. The program is a good fit for students whose future interests include a doctoral program or a research-oriented career.
The Master of Science in Information program is a residential master’s program that is typically completed full time, taking an average of two years. Big Data Analytics is one of five pathways, and students have the opportunity to collaborate with classmates in different areas of study, such as UX design and library science.
The Master of Applied Data Science program is a fully online degree in applied data science that can be completed in two to three years part time — which is most common — or closer to one year when pursued full time. Most courses are one month long. This flexible format allows working professionals to take courses on their own time, from anywhere in the world, while maintaining full-time jobs or balancing other commitments like caregiving.
Both programs are taught by U-M faculty, and graduates of both programs earn a U-M degree, which doesn’t differentiate between online and residential programs.
Yes! UMSI offers multiple dual degree programs with other U-M schools and colleges to support your career interests. You may also self-initiate a dual degree with another U-M program. Explore dual degrees here.
Ann Arbor is a vibrant college town that consistently ranks high on lists of the best places to live in the U.S. You will find plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, theaters, music venues, bookstores, parks and museums. Our location on the Huron River allows for kayaking and tubing in the summer, and ice skating in the winter. While many students have cars, which allows for easy access to Detroit and day trips across the beautiful state of Michigan, much of Ann Arbor is walkable. Buses run throughout the city and to the Detroit Metro Airport, and we are located on the Amtrak line. Learn more about housing, resources, entertainment and life in Ann Arbor.
Admissions questions
The MSI program draws students from dozens of disciplines, including business, engineering, education, law, the humanities, social sciences and health sciences. These students are united by a common interest in using information with technology to improve lives.
We look for applicants who have a team-oriented approach to problem-solving, are excited by interdisciplinary and project-based learning, and demonstrate leadership or service. In your application, show us how an MSI degree will support your future career goals and what you will contribute to the MSI community.
Our favorite question! View the MSI application requirements and deadlines here.
There is an application fee of $75 for US citizens and permanent residents, or $90 for international applicants, which can be paid via credit card through your online application.
We release admissions decisions on a rolling basis as applications are reviewed, with the first MSI decisions typically shared in mid- to late February. All application status updates are sent by email.
UMSI offers scholarships ranging from partial to full tuition. You are automatically considered for scholarships as part of the admissions process, so you’ll want to submit your MSI application by the priority deadline of Jan. 15 for first consideration for funding.
We make scholarship decisions based on a holistic review of your application materials. While merit is the main factor, we may also consider your motivation to attend UMSI and level of financial need. Learn more about UMSI scholarships.
Scholarship offers are made on a rolling basis beginning in March and are communicated separately from your admissions decision. Applicants are notified once all offers have been made.
You can search for external scholarships by using free online databases like those administered by College Board, FastWEB!, Appily and Scholarship America. Many private scholarships are offered by professional, corporate, trade, government, civic, religious and social and fraternal organizations. For specific suggestions regarding external funding, reach out to [email protected].
You are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores unless you meet one of the following criteria:
- You are a native English speaker.
- You completed your entire undergraduate or graduate degree at an institution where all classes are taught in English.
- You are a current U-M student.
U.S. citizenship or permanent residency does not automatically exempt you from this requirement. View application requirements.
Yes. We review applications holistically, considering all materials in context — including your academic record, essays, letters of recommendation and relevant experiences. While our applicant pool is competitive, strengths in other parts of your application can help demonstrate your readiness to succeed academically, even if your GPA is below the preferred minimum.
At this time, we do not accept credential evaluation reports for grade equivalencies. Please submit a copy of your transcript in English for the application review process. However, we do accept credential evaluation reports to help determine whether an international degree is equivalent to a four-year bachelor’s degree in the U.S.
For questions about the MSI program and the application process, please email [email protected]. We are happy to hear from you and help you decide whether the MSI program is a good fit for your goals and interests.