Online Masters in Information Management degrees – MSIM

The Master of Science in Information Management (MSIM) is an emerging interdisciplinary library science-IT degree program. This hybrid technology and library science degree combines complementary knowledge from information science, computer science, information systems, user analytics, and business management. Programs focus on preparing graduates to tackle a broad spectrum of information challenges facing organizations and societies.

Are there online Master of Information Management programs?

Yes. A growing number of accredited and nationally recognized universities offer the Master's of Science in Information Management, and related degrees. Some programs can be completed in approximately than two years when enrolled full-time. Online MSIM programs underscore flexibility and are often a good choice for working professionals.

While still a relatively new program, a growing number of colleges and universities offer online master's degrees in information management. Many careers in information management require candidates to possess at least a master's degree, in addition to professional experience.

Click to find featured online library science programs currently accepting applications for 2024.

What exactly is an Information Management Masters degree?

MSIM degree holders are information professionals with an understanding of organizational concerns across disciplines and an ability to meet the information needs of diverse stakeholders. Information management degree programs reflect the ever-changing landscape of information access, storage, delivery, and use. Emphasis is placed on analysis, infrastructure, and strategic planning in technical and business environments.

In comparison to other information-related degree programs, this program is relatively new. As such, many degree programs continue to evolve. Information management degrees typically exists in conjunction with programs in iSchools and Schools of Information Sciences. A crucial concept, the lifecycle of information, is relevant to both information management and library and information sciences.

Are there Bachelors in Information Management programs?

No. While there are no programs currently offering bachelor's degrees with an information management concentration, it is still possible to gain experience at the undergraduate level. Degrees and courses focused on administration, management (information, knowledge, and project), information and communication technology, policy, and ethics teach students foundational concepts applicable to information management. Earning a relevant bachelor-level degree may prepare students for entry-level positions or to pursue a master's degree in information management. Consider an online Bachelors in Library Science degree prior to pursuing your MSIM if you are interested.

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Are there ALA Accredited Masters in Information Management programs?

Yes. The professional organization for librarians and information professionals, the American Library Association accredits master-level programs in library and information sciences. Since schools offering information management degrees are typically associated with library and information science, ALA accreditation extends to many of these programs.

In depth review of top 5 programs with a campus or Online Masters in Information Management program

Each of the schools offering information management concentrations, specializations, and pathways are ALA-accredited and nationally recognized. The information management degree programs are a part of established iSchools or Schools of Information Sciences. However, not all programs are currently available fully online. As demand for information professionals with diverse management skills grows, more universities and colleges are likely to offer the degree program online.

University of Washington - Master of Science in Information Management

The University of Washington's MSIM prepares information professionals to use their expertise for social good. Students explore current challenges and trends, focus on data-driven strategies, and develop ethical leadership skills. Options for part- and full-time enrollment are available. This fully online program offers three optional specializations, including: business intelligence, data science, and program/product management consulting. Additionally, students may choose from one of three degree paths depending on professional experience.

The Early-Career path, for recent college graduates or those with less than five years professional experience, consists of 65 credits. GRE/GMAT scores are required for admission on this path. The Early-Career Accelerated path is designed for students with focused academic goals and consists of 40 credits. Finally, the 36-credit hour Mid-Career path targets working professionals with at least five years relevant professional experience.

Online students attend weekly live classes remotely. Culminating courses for the program include a capstone or practicum, depending on path. All students, regardless of residency status, pay the same tuition and fees. Approximate tuition for Early-Career is $59,995, Early-Career Accelerated $36,920, and Mid-Career $33,228. Scholarships and graduate assistantships are available for qualified students.

Syracuse University - Master of Science in Information Management Systems

Syracuse's MSIM takes an interdisciplinary approach to prepare well-rounded information professionals to meet the diverse needs of a wide range of organizations. The program merges expertise in strategic management, organizational psychology, human-computer interaction, information economics, information policy, e-business, IT, and data management. Goals for program graduates include increasing effectiveness of management, designing and managing information technologies, policy development, and achieving strategic advantage.

Students complete 42-credit hours, with 9 required primary core course credits and 12 required secondary core credits. Additionally, students must participate in a non-credit graduate immersion milestone event. This program offers two track options, management strategies & users and technological infrastructure. Course options in the management strategies and users track include enterprise risk management, human interaction with computers, and information systems analysis. Students selecting the technological infrastructure track may choose to enroll in cloud management, scripting for enterprise data systems, or introduction to data science.

The online program is flexible, allowing students to complete the degree part-time. Additionally, students with full-time professional information technology experience may quality for credit reductions or course substitutions. A 30-credit hour Executive Program, for IT professionals with six years of relevant experience, can be completed in as little as 15 months. The cost per credit for all online students is $1,734.

Wayne State University - Master of Science in Information Management

Highlighting a curriculum at the intersection of people, data, and technology, Wayne State's MSIM prepares students for careers in the growing field of information management. Graduates have the skills needed to utilize and assess technologies, leverage databases and datasets, and analyze information policies. Courses prepare students to apply principles and methods to meet the needs of organizations and information users.

This fully online 30-credit program offers several specializations for students to choose from, including: web-based information services, health informatics and data management, data analytics, and user experience. Students are required to complete four core courses, a capstone, and a practicum. Electives will depend on the specialization, but options include introduction to web development, information architecture, data analytics, seminar in information policy, health informatics, and information behavior.

All online students, regardless of residency, pay tuition costs of $818.26 per credit hour. Additionally there is a $56.69 per credit hour student service fee. Financial assistance in the form of scholarships, graduate student assistantships, and work-study may be available.

University Illinois Urbana-Champaign - Master of Science in Information Management

A key feature of this STEM-designated program is its emphasis on the intersection of people, information, and technology. The flexible curriculum allows students to plan their 40-credit program, while preparing them for a rewarding career. Delivered on-campus, students are encouraged to engage with faculty and peers. The program boasts opportunities for networking, research, and professional experience.

Students can create a custom degree program or choose from one of two professional pathways. Pathway options include data science & analytics and knowledge management & information consulting. Course options in the data science and analytics path include data visualization, text mining, and business analytics. While students choosing to pursue the knowledge management and information consulting path may select from applied business research, information consulting, and metadata in theory and practice.

All students must complete three required four-credit courses. Other course options include a practicum, independent study, internship, and thesis. On-campus tuition depends on residency status, with residents (12 credits or more) paying $7,146 per semester and nonresidents (12 credits or more) paying $12,996 per semester. Financial aid, scholarships, and graduate hourly positions are available.

University of Maryland - Master of Information Management

This degree program is part of the top-10 ranked UMD iSchool. The Master of Information Management (MIM) is recognized as the first of its kind in the United States. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, the curriculum draws from diverse fields, including information science, information systems, computer science, and management. Students in the program gain the skills needed to become strategic information leaders in any organization.

The program offers several focus areas and specializations. These include cyber threat intelligence, data science and analytics, game and entertainment analytics, information risk management, smart cities and connected communities, strategic management, and technology development. Additionally, students may opt to design an individualized program plan. Whichever option students decide to pursue, the program curriculum includes a blend of theory, practical skills, and hands-on learning experiences.

Currently, most coursework in the MIM program must be completed at UMD's College Park campus. Tuition is based on residency status. Maryland residents can expect to pay $768 per credit hour, while nonresident tuition is $1,706 per credit hour.

ALA requirements for Information Management programs

Accredited programs have been vetted by industry experts and professionals to ensure they meet established criteria for educational quality and financial value. ALA requires information management programs associated with iSchools and Schools of Information Science to meet certain specific minimum standards. Stringent, criteria-based self-evaluation and peer-assessment are requirements for general ALA accreditation and continuation.

Typical Online Information Management Curriculum

Information management curricula are interdisciplinary by nature. Students take a variety of courses designed to highlight the importance of information in various settings and to develop technology-driven problem solving skills. Curricula typically consist of required core courses, with the number varying by program, and electives. Electives give students the opportunity to explore areas of interest while developing applicable skills. The courses a student will take largely depend on concentration, specialization, or pathway options and professional goals.

Courses typical of an information management curriculum include:

Foundations of Information Management

In this introductory course, students investigate the role of information and and function information management. Multiple information contexts are explored, including individual, community, social, and organizational. Concepts, methods, and best practices for information management are discussed. Students conduct foundational analysis of information-based concepts. This course serves as the foundation for the information management program.

Information Users & Uses

Who uses information? How is information used by users? This course explores the relationship between information and users and the many ways individuals, communities, societies and organizations work with information. Topics include information-seeking behaviors, mental models, task analysis, problem-solving methods, and decision-making processes. This course also introduces the concept of technology as an instrument in information use.

Introduction to Databases & Database Design

This course introduces the fundamentals of database design, implementation, and management. An emphasis is placed on databases for information systems. Topics include data analysis techniques, modeling, schema design, query languages, and search. Students gain hands-on experience with current database management technologies, learn best practices for file organization, and apply data administration concepts.

Data Science Foundations

Students learn the theoretical fundamentals about data, including standards, technologies, and methodologies. Discussions include best practices for the organization, management, curation, preservation, access and use of data. Analysis of real-world applications and industry standards features heavily in the course. Topics on current issues and trends in data science are also included.

Introduction to Programming

This course serves as an introduction to key concepts related to programming, with an emphasis on information system applications. Students gain necessary skills to write computer scripts using a basic scripting language. Through hands-on practice, students learn programming syntax, data structuring, and functions. Using a technical approach, this course provides a foundation for advanced data science courses.

Management & Leadership Principles

Theory, concepts, and strategies of management and leadership, as they apply to information professionals, are explored in this course. With an emphasis on practical application, students gain experience with organizational theory and behavior, managerial approaches, and evaluation techniques. Topics include planning, decision-making, motivation, technology, policy, and ethics. Current trends and issues in management and leadership are also discussed.

Foundations in Business Intelligence

Providing a broad overview of business intelligence, this course is designed to introduce key concepts, strategies, techniques, and technologies. Emphasis is placed on strategic and managerial perspectives. Students are also introduced to business intelligence systems for decision making. This course serves as a foundation for advanced business intelligence courses.

Information Consulting Practices

Using a systems-thinking approach, this course introduces information consulting concepts, methods, and approaches. Students gain necessary skills for consultative analysis and advanced problem solving. Topics include product, program, and project management, interpersonal and communication skills, client relationship management, and change management. Students will be prepared to provide data and research driven insights and recommendations in a professional setting.

Capstone

This culminating experience provides an opportunity to develop an applied or research project. Projects may be completed individually or as a group and project topic must be approved in advance by faculty. Students plan a project, identify a sponsor, design and implement the project, present findings, and perform a final project evaluation. Students are expected to demonstrate connections between information management and contemporary professional trends and issues.

Practicum

As a culminating experience, the practicum serves as an opportunity for real-world application of knowledge gained through coursework. Similar to an internship, the practicum is completed at a pre-approved setting and under the supervision of an information management professional. Students gain professional work experience, are evaluated by their supervisor, and present on the experience. A required number of hours and mandatory meetings must be met to successfully complete the practicum.

What careers can you have with an Information Management degree?

Graduates with an information management degree are on the leading edge of information and technology use. They are prepared to develop unique strategies to meet the needs of information users. The demand for these information professionals continues to grow, providing careers in a variety of settings. Employment opportunities exist in nonprofit organizations, healthcare, finance, government, and private business.

Careers in information management require professionals capable of managing people and processes, establishing technology-based solutions, and applying data to make informed business decisions. Graduates of information management programs may be prepared to work as analysts, consultants, and managers, or in strategic oversight roles. Possible careers with an information management degree include:

• Social Media Analyst
• Data Analyst
• Business Intelligence Analyst
• Systems Analyst
• Market Research Analyst
• IT Consultant
• Information Consultant
• User Experience Researcher
• Data Scientist
• Data Science Manager
• Knowledge Manager
• Digital Content Manager
• Project Manager
• Program Manager
• IT Services Manager
• Business Systems Manager
• Chief Technology Officer
• Chief Information Officer
• Director of Strategic Execution
• Director of Strategic Technology Initiatives
• Taxonomist
• Ontologist