Master of Information

Information is explored in all its breadth, depth and richness in this innovative program. There is a choice for everyone among seven concentrations, specialization, coursework-only, co-op, and thesis options.

MI graduates are the next generation of valued professionals, able to lead the progression of information design, organization, storage, access and retrieval, dissemination, preservation, conservation, and management. With a deep understanding of the needs of society, career opportunities are found across all industries and sectors.

The Master of Information (MI) program is accredited by the American Library Association.

Key Program Characteristics and Foundational Beliefs

Characteristics

• Broad-based and inclusive, with information-focused fields from different disciplinary and professional viewpoints.
• Flexible curriculum, customizable to each individual student’s interests and needs.
• Students may choose a particular focus, or take a broad range of courses – including non-iSchool courses – or participate in a collaborative program with other U of T graduate departments.
• Students may choose a thesis option.
• The program may be taken on a part-time basis.

Foundational beliefs

• Information penetrates all aspects of our digitally-mediated society.
• Information professionals need to understand the political, technological, and epistemological consequences of rapidly changing information practices.
• Education of information professionals must, therefore, address issues of leadership and critical thinking, and engage in studies of fundamental concepts, theories, and practices.
• Thorough explorations of technology and resources for information institutions, services, and professionals are essential.

Degree Requirements

The Faculty of Information offers two pathways to complete the Master of Information program:

1. Concentration Pathway (students choose up to two concentrations).
2. General Program Pathway, including coursework only or thesis option.

MI students complete 16 half-courses (8.0 FCE), regardless of pathway chosen. Students must also complete all degree requirements as outlined for either the concentration pathway or the general program pathway.

Concentration Pathway

The Faculty of Information has established eight concentrations that highlight its core research strengths, and allow students to explore aspects of information within particular professions or research traditions. Each concentration includes its own set of core requirements and recommended electives. Students can also include co-op, collaborative programs, or the thesis option as part of this pathway.

• ARM: Archives & Records Management
• CIPS: Critical Information Policy Studies
• C&T: Culture & Technology
• ISD: Information Systems & Design
• KMIM: Knowledge Management & Information Management
• LIS: Library & Information Science
• UXD: User Experience Design
• HCDS: Human-Centered Data Science

General Program Pathway

The general program pathway includes several core courses plus a multitude of elective options: elective coursework, co-op, collaborative specializations, or a thesis.

Elective coursework, co-op, collaborative specialization, or thesis options (6.0 FCE)

MI Thesis Option

The thesis option allows students to gain experience in developing and executing a research project from beginning to end. This option is designed for students who have a clearly defined topic, can find a supervisor, and can meet tight deadlines in order to complete all program requirements within the normal time limit. The thesis option is typically carried out in the 2nd year of the two-year program. Faculty approval is required.

MI Co-op Option

A co-operative education (Co-op) is an academic program coupled with experiential education attained in partnership between students, employers and an academic institution. The MI Co-op is an option within the MI program to complete 2 consecutive, paid, full-time Co-op work terms and gain professional experience in your field of study. It is an opportunity to apply knowledge in a real-world situation and gain academic credit for it.

Collaborative Specializations

Collaborative specializations allow students to specialize in a field outside of their main area of study and count the courses taken as electives in their main program.

• Are available to students who are enrolled in a graduate degree program;
• Emerge from cooperation between two or more graduate units, e.g., faculties, departments, centers, or institutes;
• Provide students with a broad base from which to explore interdisciplinary areas;
• Allow students to pursue specialized subject interests or special developments within particular disciplines;
• Are designed to allow a focus in the area of specialty.

Students must:

• Be admitted to, and enrolled in, one of the collaborating graduate units;
• Fulfill all the degree program requirements in the home unit;
• Fulfill any additional requirements of the specific collaborative program;
• Upon completion of the collaborative specialization, students’ transcripts will denote a specialization in the particular program area.