School of Information
4322 North Quad
105 S. State St
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1285
United States
Contact
Degrees/Certificates Offered
- Master of Science in Information - Archives and Records Management (MSI-ARM)
- Master of Science in Information - Community Informatics (MSI-CI)
- Master of Science in Information - Human-Computer Interaction (MSI-HCI)
- Master of Science in Information - Information Analysis and Retrieval (IAR)
- Master of Science in Information - Information Economics for Management (IEM)
- Master of Science in Information - Information Policy (IPOL)
- Master of Science in Information - Library and Information Science (MSI-LIS)
- Master of Science in Information - Preservation of Information (MSI-PI)
- Master of Science in Information - Social Computing (SC)
- Ph.D. in Information
Programs Offered
Program Philosophy
The School of Information (SI) offers an integrated, multi-disciplinary degree (Master of Science in Information) with optional specializations in Archives and Records Management and/or the Preservation of Information. Distinguishing features of our program include breadth (we offer seven courses in ARM and ten courses in Preservation), the emphasis on modern records and information technology (electronic records management, digitization, web archiving, and on-line access systems), and the mixture of classroom instruction and practical engagement. Four full-time faculty are engaged in research in digital preservation, electronic records policy and management, recordkeeping practices, user needs, and access systems. The program requires a minimum of eight practical engagement credits acquired through internships and directed field experiences. Students can gain practical experience at the Bentley Historical Library, other archival programs on campus, and with corporations, government agencies, and non-for-profit institutions in the region, across the U.S., and abroad.
Facilities
The School of Information is located in North Quad, a new state-of-the-art living-learning complex that houses 450 undergraduate students and three academic departments. The School maintains a variety of seminar and lecture rooms for classes. All rooms are equipped with Ethernet and wireless networking facilities. The School of Information has its own technology office and technology support for students. Students have access to a variety of computing labs across the University of Michigan campus. The Advanced Projects Lab or AP Lab is home to the machines used by current research projects as either workstations or servers. The University of Michigan campus also features one of the largest library systems in the country. SI and the Library collaborate on innovative research projects.
Practicum/Internships/Assistantships Offered?
The School of Information (SI) offers many opportunities for internships and field experiences (called Practical Engagement at SI), which are an essential part of the Master's curriculum. All students must complete 8 Practical Engagement credit hours to graduate. There are many local possibilities for Practical Engagements and SI students have been very successful in obtaining paid summer internships in the United States and internationally. Student services at SI manages a website that tracks internship advertisements and assists students in locating experiences that complement their existing skills.
Research
Featuring 4 full-time professors (Hedstrom, Yakel, Conway and Wallace), the archives faculty is the strongest in the United States. Each faculty member is actively engaged in research projects in the areas of digital preservation, electronic records policy, access to and freedom of information, and user needs. A limited number of graduate student assistant ships are available for archives students.