Degrees and Programs

Degrees Offered

The School of Information offers the Bachelor of Arts with a major in Informatics and the Bachelor of Science in Informatics. In addition, students may apply to the Integrated Program in Informatics, which results in the awarding of a Bachelor of Science in Informatics or a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Informatics degree, followed by the Master of Science in Information Studies degree. The requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Informatics and the Bachelor of Arts with a major in Informatics are given here, while the requirements for the Master of Science in Information Studies can be found in the Graduate Catalog.

Within each undergraduate degree, students may select from six concentration tracks: 

Concentration in Cultural Heritage Informatics 

Throughout human history, cultural heritage institutions such as libraries, archives, galleries, and museums have played a critical role in ensuring access to data, information, and technology over the decades and centuries. These skills are also very much in demand in industry. This Informatics major concentration will train students to manage, describe, organize, preserve, and provide access to data and information in a wide range of technological forms.

Concentration in Health Informatics 

Delivering and managing high-quality healthcare requires expertise in data, information, and technology. This Informatics major concentration will train students to design and use information technologies to improve healthcare delivery, healthcare management, and health outcomes.

Concentration in Human-Centered Data Science 

Data is one of the most valuable commodities in the information society, and workers who can use data to gain new insights are in great demand. This Informatics major concentration will train students to think critically and use data in an ethically responsible manner in artificial intelligence, machine learning, information retrieval, data curation, and data analysis.

Concentration in Social Informatics 

Data, information, and technology are revolutionizing how organizations work. This Informatics major concentration will train students to leverage data, information, and technology to improve organizational efficiency while also providing a more ethical and humane environment for workers and society more broadly. Students will learn the skills they need to play a critical role in shaping information policies, improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness, enhance societal sustainability, and advocate for the public interest.

Concentration in Social Justice Informatics 

Data, information, and technology have the potential to reduce or eliminate inequalities in society, but they can also lead to exacerbating existing inequalities or creating new ones. This Informatics major concentration will train students to leverage data, information, and technology for societal good, helping to empower individuals and eliminate inequalities and injustices to ensure a level playing field for everyone in the information age.

Concentration in User Experience Design 

The design of data, information, and technology systems needs to be rooted in the user experience along with consideration of the broader societal impacts of design. This Informatics major concentration will prepare students for a career in user experience, interaction design, human factors, and web and mobile app design. Students will learn the skills they need to design cutting-edge information technologies that will benefit users and society. 

Integrated Program (BA/MSIS) or (BSI/MSIS)

Applicability of Certain Courses 

Physical Activity Courses 

Physical activity (PED) courses are offered by the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education. Up to three semester hours of physical activity coursework may be counted as electives toward any School of Information degree. All physical activity courses are counted among courses for which the student is enrolled, and the grades are included in the grade point average. 

ROTC Courses 

The Departments of Air Force Science, Military Science, and Naval Science maintain ROTC units on campus. Information about each program is available from the chair of the department concerned. 

Twelve semester hours of coursework in air force science, military science, or naval science may be counted toward any degree in the School of Information. Such credit may be used only as electives or to fulfill the writing requirement, and only by students who are commissioned by the University ROTC program. 

Courses Taken on the Pass/Fail Basis 

No more than 12 semester hours taken on the pass/fail basis may be counted toward School of Information degrees. In general, courses taken on the pass/fail basis will count as general electives. Coursework required for School of Information major requirements cannot be taken pass/fail. Complete rules on registration on the pass/fail basis are given in the General Information Catalog. 

Correspondence and Extension Courses 

Credit that a University student in residence earns simultaneously by correspondence or extension from the University or elsewhere or in residence at another school will not be counted toward a degree in the School of Information unless specifically approved in advance by the dean. For additional information about correspondence work by resident students, see the General Information Catalog.  

In the semester they plan to graduate, students may not take any course to be counted toward the degree at another institution or through University Extension; students who plan to graduate at the end of the summer session may request approval to take transfer work only in the first summer term. 

Bible Courses 

Bible courses may be counted as lower-division electives in School of Information degree programs that have room for such electives. No more than 12 semester hours of such work may be counted toward any degree offered by the University.