Information Science - Master of Science (MS)

The Master of Science degree in Information Science is are intended for BS students who desire additional study and experience conducting supervised research to make their résumés even more attractive to industry upon graduation, as well as students considering a PhD in Information Science but lacking either master’s-level coursework in the field or demonstrated research experience at the graduate level. 

There are two options under this degree:

• Thesis plan: 6 thesis hour credits, typically taken over two semesters (3 credit hours each). A thesis defense with 3 committee members and submission of the thesis to the Graduate School are required.
• Non-thesis plan: 6 credits taken as a graduate-level independent study over two semesters (3 credit hours each) with an INFO faculty member. Students will complete one or more in-depth research projects as part of this plan; however, a formal thesis document and oral presentation/defense are not required.

If an MS elects to continue as a PhD student Information Science—and is admitted, via an explicit and separate application to the program—then up to seven of the courses taken as part of this MS (a maximum of 21 credit hours) could be “rolled-up” to meet PhD curriculum requirements, pending approval of the student’s PhD preliminary exam committee and the graduate director.

Bachelor's–Accelerated Master's Degree Program

Students may earn this degree as part of the Bachelor's–Accelerated Master's (BAM) degree program, which allows currently enrolled CU Boulder undergraduate students the opportunity to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in a shorter period of time.

For more information, see the Accelerated Master's tab for the associated bachelor's degree(s): Information Science - Bachelor of Science (BS)

Requirements

Application Guidelines

Applicants must hold at least a bachelor's degree or its equivalent. They must also provide the following documents:

• A CV or resume
• An unofficial transcript from each college or university attended
• Scores from the general GRE are optional; international students must also have a TOEFL score of at least 600 (IBT 100)
• Three letters of recommendation from people qualified to judge the student's potential for success in graduate school (Note: The most compelling recommendation letters will provide specific observations about the candidate's promise in analytical thinking, oral and written scientific communication, and research and teaching, as well as demonstration of teamwork and collegiality)
• A statement of purpose (two pages maximum) that describes a question, problem or topic in information science the student has a passion to address; explains how the student's previous academic training, professional experience and/or personal passions led them to this question, problem or topic and drew them to this degree program; and identifies the faculty members with whom the student is interested in working and why
• Optional: A writing sample in addition to the statement of purpose

We encourage applications from individuals representing the broad range of disciplines. We welcome students that bring diverse skills and perspectives on the range of issues related to understanding and shaping the future of information science. All students admitted to the program will be expected to develop a breadth of competencies that are essential to being a researcher in this diverse, interdisciplinary field. One's ability and willingness to expand skill sets should be demonstrated in the statement of purpose.

Students are required to upload an unofficial copy of their transcript(s) in the online application. We require one copy of the scanned transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended. This includes community colleges, summer sessions and extension programs. While credits from one institution may appear on the transcript of a second institution, unofficial transcripts must be submitted from each institution, regardless of the length of attendance and whether courses were completed. Failure to list and submit transcripts from all institutions previously attended is considered a violation of academic ethics and may result in the cancellation of admission or dismissal from the university.

Only after a student is recommended for admission will they need to provide official transcripts.Assistance with graduate programs is available by phone (303-492-7977) or email (cmcigrad@colorado.edu).

Required Courses and Credits

Refer to Plan of Study tab for sample plan of study by semester. 

Plan of Study