Master of Information

Master of Information

Rutgers University’s School of Communication and Information (SCI) offers a new Master of Information (MI) program  built on the integrity and success of the MLIS (Master of Library and Information Science) program in a way that enables information professionals from a wide variety of contexts and applications to study their craft, interact with one another and leverage one another's expertise in an interactive and engaging learning environment. Our students understand the social value of creation, organization, preservation, and use of a variety of information artifacts and structures ranging from books to complex computing systems.

The flexible curricular design allows future librarians, archivists, data scientists, technologists, designers, knowledge managers and many others to work to develop deep levels of expertise in their chosen craft. It also offers opportunities for students to cross subject boundaries and engage in disciplinary areas outside their expertise.

According to U.S. News & World Report's rankings, Rutgers University has one of the best library and information studies (LIS) graduate schools in the nation. The publication ranked the MI program 7th, and it ranked four of its specializations as follows: #1 for school library media, #6 for digital librarianship, #8 for information systems, and #6 for services for children and youth. Plus, the program is the only Top 10 ranked LIS program within one hour of New York City and Philadelphia.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of thirty-six credits, or twelve courses, is required to earn the Master of Information (MI) degree. The MI program must be completed in three years. Students can transfer up to 6 credits from other programs of study at Rutgers. These credits should in some way be connected to your academic goals.

Admission:

Entry into the Master of Information (MI) program is competitive. Admission is based on a number of factors including prior academic performance at an accredited academic institution, test scores, professional work experience, standardized English proficiency test scores (for International students only), at least two letters of recommendation and a personal statement.

Students should apply into one of the following program delivery options:

• On-campus/Hybrid: The MI program is offered on the New Brunswick campus of Rutgers University. On-campus students can register for online courses ($100 per use charge, per course) as needed.
• The MI program is also fully online, meaning that students take all their courses remotely.

The MI program requires a total of 36 credits and must be completed within three years. As a part-time student taking two classes (six credits) per semester, it will take three years (six semesters) to complete the program. As a full-time student taking three classes (nine credits) per semester, it will take two years (four semesters) to complete the program. Many students take advantage of summer and winter session courses to decrease the time to completion.

Concentrations

Library and Information Science

The library and information science concentration prepares professionals for a career in school, public, special and academic libraries, grounded in values relating to serving communities and building knowledge and literacies.

Data Science

The data science concentration prepares information professionals for diverse careers centering on data analytics. These careers focus on engaging with often large-scale internal and external data of organizations to analyze, model, evaluate, and predict information behavior and processes for practical applications, product and service development and organizational decision-making.

Archives and Preservation

The archives and preservation concentration will prepare students to assume the responsibilities and roles in identifying and preserving analog and digital records as trustworthy evidence and memory of the activities of individuals, families, and organizations. Students will learn how to make records accessible to current users and future generations in heritage institutions and how to make them available to the public. They will explore the institutions preserving cultural and scientific knowledge amid the changing perspectives and in diverse social contexts. They will learn about the tensions around privacy, access, and memorial contestation as well as about the role of records, documents, and archival institutions in human rights and social justice.

Interaction Design and Informatics

The interaction design and informatics concentration prepares professionals to analyze, design, build and manage information and communication technologies in support of individual and social access to, management of, and use of information in a wide variety of occupational and personal contexts. Professionals work at the intersection between IT, people, and their contexts to provide technological leadership.

Technology, Information, and Management

The technology, information, and management concentration prepares information professionals to lead and manage in technological organizations and other socio-technical environments, by developing expertise in information and project management, knowledge sharing, organizational learning, and strategic decision-making.

School Librarianship

The school library media concentration is designed to meet the New Jersey Department of Education's requirements to become a certified school library media specialist. It trains professionals for positions in elementary and secondary schools where they can create collections, provide information about literacy education, and collaborate with teachers to provide a variety of learning opportunities for students.

Create Your Own Path

Students can build their own pathway after fulfilling foundational requirements.

Program Mission

The mission of the Master of Information (MI) program is to enable students to provide professional expertise, leadership, and innovation across diverse information and technological landscapes. People-focused, information technology-intensive, data-driven, and career-oriented, the MI program is a gateway to making a significant contribution to organizational leadership, information management, community and social development in 21st century societies.

Admissions Requirements

Requirements for entering the Master of Information program at Rutgers University include a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. The overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is typically the minimum requirement though applicants with lower GPAs are encouraged to apply and should discuss their GPA and undergraduate learning experiences in the Personal Statement.

GRE Waiver Policy

As a progressive institution that values academic achievement, the School of Communication and Information (SC&I) will grant a GRE waiver to applicants if they meet one or more of the following requirements:

- A GPA above 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

- A completed advanced or master's degree

(Applicants may submit GMAT, MCAT and LSAT scores in place of GRE scores)

For international students:

TOEFL = 94+ (IBT), 587 (PBT)
IELTS = 6.5+

Rutgers University

Established in 1766, Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, is the eighth oldest institution of higher learning in the nation. Rutgers is both a top national research university and the "state's preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education." According to U.S. News & World Report's rankings, Rutgers is one of the top 25 public universities in the nation.