University of Michigan

What you'll study

The programme combines core foundations in information science with flexible elective pathways so you can tailor study to technical, design or policy careers. Core themes include information retrieval and organisation, human–computer interaction, statistics and data analysis, information policy and ethics, and systems design. Typical modules cover topics such as:

• Foundations of Information Science — theories of information behaviour, information architecture and metadata.
• Programming and Data Methods — introductory to intermediate programming for data, databases, and applied statistics or machine learning.
• Human–Computer Interaction and User Research — interaction design, usability evaluation and qualitative research methods.
• Information Policy, Ethics and Law — privacy, data governance, intellectual property and regulatory issues.
• Systems Design and Project Work — team-based design practicum or capstone that applies theory to a real-world problem.
• Electives and Cross-disciplinary Options — courses drawn from computer science, public policy, business, and health informatics to support specialisations such as data science, UX, or information management.

Students complete a mix of coursework and a substantial applied project or practicum, supported by faculty advisers. Part-time and non-degree course options may be available; students can often take electives across the university to deepen domain knowledge.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Admissions decisions are based on the overall record rather than a single metric and typically require:

• Official academic transcripts demonstrating strong undergraduate performance.
• A personal statement outlining academic interests, professional experience and reasons for pursuing the programme.
• Letters of recommendation (commonly two or three) from academic or professional referees.
• A current résumé or CV.
• Demonstrated quantitative or technical preparation is advantageous for data-focused pathways; some applicants provide a sample of prior work or a portfolio for design- and research-oriented tracks.
• Proof of English language proficiency for applicants whose first language is not English, according to the university's standard requirement.

The programme considers a range of professional backgrounds; applicants with relevant work experience, open-source contributions or research experience are competitive even if their undergraduate majors were outside information science.

Career prospects

Graduates move into diverse roles that apply information science expertise in commercial, public sector and research contexts. Common career paths include:

• UX researcher or interaction designer, creating and evaluating user experiences for products and services.
• Data analyst or data scientist, using statistical and computational methods to extract insights from data.
• Product manager or information architect, shaping product strategy and the organisation of information.
• Information policy analyst or privacy specialist, developing governance frameworks and regulatory compliance approaches.
• Researcher or data librarian, supporting scholarly communication, curation and digital preservation.

The programme’s practicum, internships and alumni network help students secure roles across technology companies, consultancies, healthcare organisations, government agencies and non-profits.

Why study at University of Michigan

The University of Michigan offers an established information school with interdisciplinary faculty whose research spans HCI, data science, information policy and librarianship. Students benefit from strong ties to industry and public-sector partners in the region as well as campus-wide collaboration opportunities across engineering, business, public policy and health sciences.

Teaching emphasises applied learning through project-based courses, practicum placements and access to research centres and labs. The university’s career services and alumni network support internship and job placement, while the broader Ann Arbor and Detroit ecosystems provide a wide range of practicum and employment opportunities.