This is a named option within the Library and Information Studies MA.
The ALA-accredited master's degree at the Information School (iSchool) prepares graduates to develop, provide, and assess information services that create, collect, organize, store, analyze, find, distribute, and use information in a diverse, technological, and global society. The program prepares information professionals to work in multiple areas of the information professions, including libraries (public, university and college, youth services, special, and government), archives, digital librarianship (which includes user experience and data analytics/management), and information organization. Students can tailor their program to include other emphases such as Tribal Libraries, Archives and Museums, social justice, and digital humanities.
Librarianship: Graduates obtain employment in college and university librarianship, public librarianship, youth and young adult librarianship, electronic collections management, science and health librarianship, research data management, and school library media centers.
Archives in a Digital Age: Graduates obtain employment in digital asset management, digital preservation and curation, digital archives, corporate archives, government archives, special collections, and tribal libraries archives and museums.
Digital Libraries: Design, develop, and manage information technologies with a focus on the user. Potential jobs include user experience and web design, digital humanities, digital asset management and curation, database and data management, and IT training/instruction.
Organization of Information: Graduates obtain employment in metadata management, taxonomy and ontology development and implementation, digital asset management, cataloging, XML and linked data, and database management.
Full-time students generally complete the master's program in two academic years; part-time students complete it in three to four years. Students gain hands-on experience as part of their degree through the school’s required field practicum. Students may choose practicum settings based on their career goals.
Named Options
Students interested in the Master of Arts in Library and Information Studies should refer to one of the named options:
Optional Specializations
The Information School hosts several specializations that require specific coursework from other departments or other requirements.
Business School Graduate/Professional Certificate in Strategic Innovation: The Information School offers a specialization in information innovation and organizational change in conjunction with the School of Business graduate/professional certificate which can be completed as part of the school's MA degree (on-campus program only).
Certificate in Leadership: iSchool students can earn the UW–Madison Certificate in Leadership as part of their Information School MA degree (on-campus and online programs).
Double degrees: The iSchool offers double degrees with the UW Law School, the School of Music, and the Department of Art History. These require separate admissions and additional coursework. (on-campus program only)
School Library Media Specialist License: The School Library Media Specialist License in the State of Wisconsin is a stand-alone teaching license. The iSchool MA program can be modified to provide candidates with the educational requirements for the license taken in addition to the MA courses. Candidates already holding a valid Wisconsin teaching license can be endorsed for the School Library Media Specialist through the iSchool MA program. UW–Madison is part of the UW System School Library Education Consortium (UWSSLEC), which is a certification-only program. Because each state has its own regulations for teacher licenses, this specialization is available to Wisconsin residents or those who will be working in Wisconsin schools only.
Online students (distance degree option) should note: Specialized courses in art, music, law, and school library media specialist, as well as courses offered outside the Information School that may be part of concentrations, specializations, or double degrees, are generally not available online. For a distance student with academic background in one of these areas, combining the general Information School degree with the specialized background may be the best preparation.
The Information School master's program is accredited by the American Library Association, recognized by the Wisconsin Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning for certification of public librarians, and recognized by the state's Department of Public Instruction for preparation of school library media specialists.
About the Information School
Programs
The UW–Madison Information School, "the iSchool," is a professional school offering several degrees and non-credit education that prepare students for careers in the information professions:
- The iSchool MA degree is a professional master's that prepares information professionals to work in multiple areas of the information professions, including libraries (public, university and college, youth services, special, and government), archives, digital librarianship (which includes user experience and data analytics/management), and information organization. Students can tailor their program to include other emphases such as Tribal Libraries, Archives and Museums, social justice, and digital humanities.
- The Capstone Certificate in User Experience Design is an educational credential aimed at working adults who seek further education to advance their careers or move into new fields without the commitment of a full master's degree. See the Capstone Certificate Guide page here.
- The PhD degree provides advanced academic preparation for those wishing to pursue careers in academia, industrial research, or policymaking. See the PhD Guide page here.
- The Undergraduate Digital Studies Certificate provides undergraduate coursework in information technologies and society and information management. See the Undergraduate Certificate Guide page here.
- The iSchool offers non-credit continuing education short courses that help information professionals stay up to date.
Community
The Information School at UW–Madison is well known for its public-good, community-engagement orientation. It is home to student organizations that shepherd information-justice projects including the Jail Library Group, the Tribal Library Archives and Museums Group, and the KidsLib and Beyond Group. Student groups at the iSchool are very active and organize and sponsor events.
The iSchool Library, whose windows overlook the shores of Lake Mendota and the oak trees of Muir Knoll, is a very popular campus space for study, group work, social events, and relaxation. The Information School Library is also home to:
- RADD "Recovering Analog and Digital Data" equipment for audio/video digitization and digital-data rescue that provides fee-for-service recovery of data from a wide variety of media types.
- The Text Technologies Press: Typography and letterpress printing equipment for teaching book history, book arts, design, art, and making.
Research & Scholarship
The Information School faculty are known for scholarly work in the areas of:
- Data and information policy and ethics
- User behaviors and literacies
- Print culture
- Library and information technology history
- Electronic publishing
- Information and communications technologies (ICT) and development, and transnational diaspora use of ICT
- The social aspects of ICT
- Medical information and medical information technologies
- Youth and new media
For more information, see the iSchool Research Overview Page.
Research Collaborations
Faculty and staff are widely involved in different research groups on campus. For example, the iSchool is home to the Center for the History of Print and Digital Culture, a research center focused on authorship, reading, publication, and distribution of print and digital materials. The Information School faculty members are involved with the Holtz Center for Science and Technology Studies, the Digital Humanities Research Network, the HCI+Design Group, the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, and the Center for Financial Security.
Admissions
Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.
Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.
| Fall Deadline | December 15 |
| Spring Deadline | The program does not admit in the spring. |
| Summer Deadline | The program does not admit in the summer. |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) | Not required. |
| English Proficiency Test | Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not exclusively in English, must provide an English proficiency test score earned within two years of the anticipated term of enrollment. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1241. |
| Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) | n/a |
| Letters of Recommendation Required | 3 |
The school admits students to its on campus and online master's programs once a year, for fall semester. Priority consideration, including consideration for departmental scholarships, is given to applications received by the fall deadline. Applications are accepted until March 1. After March 1, interested applicants should contact the department to ask if a late application can still be considered.
Students from any geographical location (including Madison, Wisconsin) are welcome to apply. Online students cannot take face to face courses.
For more information on the Information School MA program, including detailed admissions instructions, read the program admission page.
The Graduate School requires a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited US institution, or a comparable degree from an international institution. A minimum undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in the last 60 earned credit hours is required.
Application evaluation criteria include academic abilities, professional promise, leadership and community engagement. An undergraduate program that includes breadth in liberal arts and sciences is required. Any major is acceptable. Prior work experience related to information professions is useful but is not required.
Funding
Graduate School Resources
Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Program Information
Students enrolled in this program are not eligible to receive tuition remission from graduate assistantship appointments at this institution.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Named Option Requirements
Mode of Instruction
| Face to Face | Evening/Weekend | Online | Hybrid | Accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | No | Yes | No | No |
Mode of Instruction Definitions
Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.
Evening/Weekend: Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules. Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.
Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.
Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats. Contact the program for more specific information.
Online: These programs are offered 100% online. Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.
Curricular Requirements
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 36 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 30 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | 30 credits must be graduate-level coursework. The remaining 6 credits cannot be L I S courses numbered 300-699 without the Grad 50% attribute. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244. |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.00 GPA required. Refer to the Graduate School: Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1203. |
| Other Grade Requirements | Within the student’s total program, one grade of BC or C is allowable in either a required or elective course if it is balanced by a grade of A or AB earned prior to or concurrently with the unsatisfactory grade. A second grade of BC or C or any grade of D or F will normally result in the student being dropped from the program. |
| Assessments and Examinations | Candidates must complete a minimum of a 120-hour practicum, and must complete a PLO Assessment. |
| Language Requirements | No language requirements. |
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | 9 | |
| All three courses are required; take L I S 602 in first semester and L I S 601 in first or second semester. L I S 603 can be taken at any time. (9 credits): | ||
| Information: Perspectives and Contexts | ||
| Information: Organization and Search | ||
| Research and Assessment for Information Professionals | ||
| Tier Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following courses (3 credits): | ||
| Technology and Development in Africa and Beyond | ||
| Code and Power | ||
| Multicultural Literature and Resources for Children and Youth | ||
| Topics in Library and Information Studies (Services to Diverse Populations) | ||
| Topics in Library and Information Studies (Tribal Libraries Archives and Museums) | ||
| Tier Management | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following courses (3 credits): | ||
| Information Services Management | ||
| The Public Library | ||
| College and University Libraries | ||
| Tier Technology | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following courses (3 credits): | ||
| Digital Tools, Trends and Debates | ||
| Topics in Library and Information Studies (Web Development) | ||
| Introduction to Info Architecture and Interaction Design for the Web | ||
| Digital Curation and Collections | ||
| Database Design for Information Professionals | ||
| Digital Humanities Analytics | ||
| Computational Research Methods | ||
| Tier L I S Fundamentals | 6 | |
| Chose two of the following courses (6 credits): | ||
| Systems Analysis and Project Management for Information Professionals | ||
| Metadata Standards and XML | ||
| Reference and Information Service | ||
| Pedagogical Theory and Practice for Information Professionals | ||
| Cataloging and Classification | ||
| Collection Management | ||
| Introduction to Archives and Records Management | ||
| Capstone | 3 | |
| Field Project in Library and Information Agencies | ||
| PLO Assessment | 0 | |
| Students are required to complete a PLO Assessment prior to graduation. This is a non-credit bearing requirement. | ||
| Electives | 9 | |
| Suggested courses below are based on potential concentrations. Students do not declare concentrations and may mix and match courses across areas. Students may take up to 6 credits of electives outside of the iSchool. All non-L I S electives must be approved by the student’s advisor. | ||
| Digital Librarianship | ||
| Introduction to Info Architecture and Interaction Design for the Web | ||
| Systems Analysis and Project Management for Information Professionals | ||
| Code and Power | ||
| Pedagogical Theory and Practice for Information Professionals | ||
| Database Design for Information Professionals | ||
| Digital Curation and Collections | ||
| Topics in Library and Information Studies (Web Development) | ||
| Digital Humanities Analytics | ||
| Surveillance, Privacy, and Police Powers | ||
| Data and Algorithms: Ethics and Policy | ||
| Human Factors in Information Security | ||
| Information Ethics and Policy | ||
| Archives/Records | ||
| Introduction to Archives and Records Management | ||
| Records Management | ||
| Archives Accessioning and Appraisal | ||
| Topics in Library and Information Studies (Description and Arrangement) | ||
| Preservation and Conservation of Library and Archives Materials | ||
| Systems Analysis and Project Management for Information Professionals | ||
| Metadata Standards and XML | ||
| Cataloging and Classification | ||
| Database Design for Information Professionals | ||
| Public | ||
| The Public Library | ||
| Reference and Information Service | ||
| Cataloging and Classification | ||
| Collection Management | ||
| Pedagogical Theory and Practice for Information Professionals | ||
| Digital Health: Information and Technologies Supporting Consumers and Patients | ||
| Topics in Library and Information Studies (Services to Diverse Populations) | ||
| Reading Interests of Adults | ||
| Electronic Resource Management & Licensing | ||
| Digital Curation and Collections | ||
| Information Ethics and Policy | ||
| Metadata Standards and XML | ||
| Youth | ||
| Childrens Literature | ||
| Multicultural Literature and Resources for Children and Youth | ||
| Literature and Resources for Youth | ||
| Library Services to Children and Young Adults | ||
| Pedagogical Theory and Practice for Information Professionals | ||
| Digital Curation and Collections | ||
| Electronic Resource Management & Licensing | ||
| Information Ethics and Policy | ||
| Collection Management | ||
| Reference and Information Service | ||
| Metadata Standards and XML | ||
| College and Research Libraries | ||
| College and University Libraries | ||
| Pedagogical Theory and Practice for Information Professionals | ||
| Reference and Information Service | ||
| Cataloging and Classification | ||
| Metadata Standards and XML | ||
| Topics in Library and Information Studies (Services to Diverse Populations) | ||
| Collection Management | ||
| Information Ethics and Policy | ||
| Digital Curation and Collections | ||
| Electronic Resource Management & Licensing | ||
| Additional Courses | ||
| Topics in Library and Information Studies | ||
| Topics in Information Agency Management | ||
| Introduction to Text Mining | ||
| History of American Librarianship | ||
| Music Research Methods and Materials | ||
| History of Books and Print Culture in Europe and North America | ||
| XML and Linked Data | ||
| Publishing, Knowledge Institutions and Society: E-Revolutions? | ||
| Introduction to Cyberlaw | ||
| Introductory Analytics for Decision Making | ||
| Data Mining Planning and Management | ||
| Data Visualization and Communication for Decision Making | ||
| Topics in Community Engagement | ||
| Information Use and Users | ||
| Field Project in Library and Information Literacy Instruction | ||
| Special Collections | ||
| Topics in Information Processing and Retrieval | ||
| Digital Libraries | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Students in this program may not take courses outside the prescribed curriculum without faculty advisor and program director approval. Students in this program cannot enroll concurrently in other undergraduate or graduate degree programs.
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.
Named Option-Specific Policies
Prior Coursework
Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions
Students may transfer up to 6 credits of approved graduate coursework from other institutions. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a master’s degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison
With approval, UW–Madison undergraduates accepted into the Information School program may transfer up to 7 graduate iSchool credits (LIS 400 and above) toward their MA degree.
Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers)
Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.
Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW–Madison
Students are allowed to transfer up to 6 approved credits of coursework numbered 400 or above taken as a UW–Madison University Special student. Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission to a master’s degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
Probation
Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy and iSchool Student Handbook.
Advisor / Committee
All continuing students are encouraged to meet with their advisor prior to registering for each semester in order to remove registration holds and ensure timely progress towards degree completion. Students may switch advisors at any time by completing a change of advisor form.
Credits Per Term Allowed
The iSchool recommends 3 to 6 credits per semester for online students. 8 to 12 credits in a regular semester is considered full time at the graduate level.
Time Limits
The maximum period for completion of the MA (under special circumstances) is seven calendar years. Contact the department for more information.
Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.
Grievances and Appeals
These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:
- Bias or Hate Reporting
- Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
- Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
- Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
- Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
- Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
- Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
- Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
- Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
- Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)
Students should contact the department chair or program director with questions about grievances. They may also contact the L&S Academic Divisional Associate Deans, the L&S Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning Administration, or the L&S Director of Human Resources.
Other
n/a
Professional Development
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.