3 US universities preparing you to become leaders in information science

Every day, the world creates over 402 million terabytes of data. To understand the magnitude of this, one terabyte is equal to 1,000 gigabytes. More than half of all global traffic comes from newly generated, captured, copied, or consumed data on the Internet, with video content (like TikTok and Reels). In this era of digital transformation, these numbers prove that companies from all industries are in dire need of those who can manage, analyse, and interpret data. 

The pay compensates for the big demand for experts in information and technology. With an average yearly salary of US$115,000 and the pay going higher with more senior positions, now is the time to advance your career in the information science field. From solution specialists to information architects, there are many roles open to those who hold a master’s degree in information science. But to truly stand out from the competition, you’ll need a credential that employers respect and recognise – like those listed below: 

Two highlight programmes of the School of Computing and Information are the Master of Science in Information Science and the Master of Library and Information Science. Source: University of Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh

Officially launched in 2017, the School of Computing and Information (SCI) at the University of Pittsburgh focuses on using data and systems to solve many of today’s large-scale problems. It is changing the way society does business, manages health care, provides education, designs infrastructure and more. To learn how to do the same, you can join any of SCI’s six master’s degrees, a proven way to gain the tools to analyse and solve the problems created by technology and to push past technology’s boundaries.

A highlight is the Master of Science (MS) in Information Science, where you will explore how data, systems, and networks work together to solve problems and perform functions across various fields. Here, you will design, build, manage, and protect the systems and networks through multiple core and elective courses. Whether you choose to generalise your studies or specialise in areas like Big Data Analytics, Database and Web Systems, Geoinformatics, Human-centered Computing, Information Security, and Telecommunications and Distributed Systems, you will focus on real-world applications that ready you for exciting careers in health care, finance, law, manufacturing, government, higher education, and more.

Another highlight is the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS). As technology rapidly advances, our information consumption has grown too, which is why this newly redesigned degree offers an updated foundational core that will prepare students to understand the roles of both information and data in a society. The main courses in this programme will generally focus on the lifecycles of data and information, data and information in systems, and the roles of information professionals in communities, plus a new Design Methods Sequence course which involves more experiential learning.

Other master’s degree programmes available here include Computer Science, Data Science, Intelligent Systems, and Telecommunications.

The SCI emphasises hands-on learning to help build your skills and expertise according to your specific field. Alongside professional co-ops, internships, and networking events, you can participate in iServe, a skill-based volunteering programme that allows you to gain practical experiences, hone your technical and project management skills, as well as make an impact in the local community. These programmes are open to all including international students.

Apply to the School of Computing and Information now.

The UC Berkeley School of Information advances knowledge and practice wherever people interact with information and technology. Source: UC Berkeley School of Information/Facebook

University of California, Berkeley

A community of scholars, practitioners, and students. Four degree programmes, two on campus and two online. Academic excellence combined with intimacy and camaraderie. A multi-disciplinary faculty that includes world-class scholars plus experienced professionals from leading Bay Area companies. An alumni network that connects students to policymakers, businesses, and nonprofit organisations.

These features define the UC Berkeley School of Information. At this graduate research and education community, students and staff are working towards expanding access to information, making it more usable, reliable and credible while preserving security and privacy. They collaborate with scholars from diverse fields – information and computer science, design, social sciences, management, law, and policy.

The I School offers three professional master’s degrees: Master of Information Management and Systems (MIMS), Master of Information and Data Science (MIDS) and Master of Information and Cybersecurity (MICS). MIMS is ideal for those seeking careers as information professionals and emphasises small classes and project-based learning. The online MIDS fits those who aspire to become data scientists. The online MICS trains future cybersecurity leaders with the technical skills and contextual knowledge necessary to develop solutions for complex cybersecurity challenges.

As MIDS graduate Zachary Beaver – now a Senior Data Scientist at Google working on building and deploying computer vision models on mobile devices – puts it, “Being excited about Data Science and wanting to work for companies at the field’s bleeding edge, I was looking for a programme that had its finger on the pulse of the skills employers were seeking, along with a history of producing graduates who excelled in industry. Berkeley (and the I School, in particular) were a perfect match.”

First-year MSLIS students will go through two required courses before choosing one of six pathways that tailors to your academic and professional goals. Source: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Information Sciences at Illinois/Facebook

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign‘s School of Information Sciences, you will have the chance to learn from the best faculty, engage with peers, and make meaningful connections that will impact both your career and personal life. The programme offered is just as impactful – covering effective ways to use information and technology for the better.

Other than the MS in Information Management and the MS in Bioinformatics, the MS in Library and Information Science is the school’s standout programme. Ranked #1 by US News & World Report, the programme gives you the skills to manage, analyse, and preserve information in a variety of careers, including healthcare, business, and science. First-year students will go through two required courses before choosing a pathway that tailors to your academic and professional goals.

These courses are Information Organisation and Access and Libraries, Information, and Society – both of which provide a foundation for further study and a general context for the six pathways that you can specialise in. The six pathways include Archival and Special Collections, Data and Asset Management, Information Organisation and Management, Knowledge Management and Competitive Intelligence, Research and Information Services, and Youth and School Librarianship.

“Having only two required courses meant that I could take an array of classes that interested me and not be limited to a small selection of degree-specific courses,” student Abigail DeWeese says.

You can also opt for other courses such as working in a professional environment supervised by an experienced librarian or information expert, writing a thesis, studying independently, or transferring up to 12 hours of graduate credit from other departments that apply to this master’s degree.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International*