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Syracuse University’s iSchool Online Curriculum
The iSchool’s online graduate programs feature the same curriculum content as the full-time, on-campus programs, and graduates earn the same Syracuse University diploma.
Explore Our Online Degrees
To learn more about our curriculum, courses or credit requirements, select your program of interest below:
MS in Applied Data Science
The online Master of Science in Applied Data Science program meets the same high academic standards of Syracuse University’s on-campus program. The curriculum is 34 credits and can be completed in as few as 18 months. Designed to provide you with critical thinking and problem-solving skills, the curriculum is structured as follows:
Primary Coursework – 18 Credits
Build foundational knowledge and skills in preparation for more advanced data application and techniques.
- IST 687: Introduction to Data Science (3 Credits)
- IST 659: Data Administration Concepts and Database Administration (3 Credits)
- IST 707: Applied Machine Learning (3 Credits)
- IST 718: Big Data Analytics (3 Credits)
- IST 772: Quantitative Reasoning for Data Science (3 Credits)
- SCM 651: Business Analytics (3 Credits)
Secondary Coursework – 6 Credits
Choose six credits from one of the following three tracks.
Data and Business Analytics Track
Language Analytics Track
Data Pipelines and Platforms Track
Electives – 9 Credits
Choose any course from a different track, additional courses in your chosen track, or any course from the list below.
Exit Requirement – Portfolio Milestone – 1 credit
Choose specific projects throughout the program that best showcase your particular skills and demonstrate program learning outcomes. Completed projects are included in the final portfolio and submitted to a panel of faculty for review during your final term.
MS in Information Systems
The online Master of Science in Information Systems program meets the same high academic standards as Syracuse University’s on-campus program. The curriculum is 36 credits and can be completed in as few as 18 months. The curriculum is structured as follows:
Primary Coursework – 12 Credits
Build the foundational knowledge and skills upon which advanced courses are based.
Electives – 18 Credits
All graduate-level iSchool courses are acceptable electives toward the MSIS program. Every semester, the iSchool offers “Selected Topics” courses, listed as IST 600 or IST 700, that can count toward the program. These courses are offered based on sufficient interest in a topic and not covered by standard curriculum, but are of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester.
In addition, you can take up to 6 elective credits from other schools at Syracuse University, such as the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. Please note that any course not selected for the Secondary Core may be taken as an elective. A single course may not be counted toward more than one single curriculum requirement.
- IST 608: Blockchain Management (3 Credits)
- IST 615: Cloud Management (3 Credits)
- IST 618: Information Policy (3 Credits)
- IST 623: Introduction to Information Security (3 Credits)
- IST 625: Enterprise Risk Management (3 Credits)
- IST 636: Leading Issues in Information Security (3 Credits)
- IST 644: Managing Data Science Projects (3 Credits)
- IST 645: Managing Information IST (3 Credits)
- IST 671: Foundations of Research Methods in Information Studies (3 Credits)
- IST 682: Cultural Competence for Information Professionals (3 Credits)
- IST 687: Introduction to Data Science (3 Credits)
- IST 719: Information Visualization (3 Credits)
- IST 722: Data Warehouse (3 Credits)
- IST 769: Advanced Big Data Management (3 Credits)
Exit Requirement – Portfolio Milestone
The exit requirements for the Master of Science in Information Systems degree are IST 971 and IST 755/IST 765.
MS in Information Systems for Executives
If you have three or more years of full-time professional experience in the information management field with a record of continuously increasing job responsibilities, we offer a 30-credit program for executives that can be completed in 15 months. The curriculum is structured as follows:
Primary Coursework – 9 Credits
Choose 9 credits from the lists below, selecting all credits from one track, or from a mix of both.
Management Strategies and Users Track
- IST 614: Information Tech Management and Policy (3 Credits)
- IST 618: Information Policy (3 Credits)
- IST 621: Information Management and Technology (3 Credits)
- IST 625: Enterprise Risk Management (3 Credits)
- IST 645: Managing Information Systems Projects (3 Credits)
- IST 654: Information Systems Analysis (3 Credits)
Technological Infrastructure Track
Secondary Coursework – 9 Credits
Choose 9 credits from the lists below, selecting all credits from one track, or from a mix of all four.
Data Science Track
- IST 652: Scripting for Data Analysis (3 Credits)
- IST 664: Natural Language Processing (3 Credits)
- IST 707: Applied Machine Learning (3 Credits)
- IST 718: Big Data Analytics (3 Credits)
- IST 719: Information Visualization (3 Credits)
- IST 722: Data Warehouse (3 Credits)
- IST 736: Text Mining (3 Credits)
- IST 769: Advanced Big Data Management (3 Credits)
Information Security Track
Policy and User Track
Systems Solutions Track
Electives – 9 Credits
All graduate-level iSchool courses are acceptable electives toward the MS in Information Systems for Executives program. Every semester, the iSchool offers “Selected Topics” courses, listed as IST 600 or IST 700, that can count toward the program. These courses are offered based on sufficient interest in a topic and not covered by standard curriculum, but are of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester.
In addition, you can take up to 6 elective credits from other schools at Syracuse University, such as the Whitman School of Management. Please note that any course not selected for the secondary core may be taken as an elective. A single course may not be counted toward more than one single curriculum requirement.
Exit Requirement
The exit requirement for the Master of Science in Information Systems for Executives degree is IST 755, the Capstone course.
MS in Library and Information Science
The online Master of Science in Library and Information Science program meets the same high academic standards as Syracuse University’s on-campus programs. The curriculum is 36 credits and can be completed in as few as 18 months. The curriculum is structured as follows:
Primary Coursework – 9 Credits
Build foundation knowledge in introductory concepts, information resources, and management and policy.
- IST 511: Introduction to the Library and Information Profession (3 Credits)
- IST 605: Reference and Information Literacy Services (3 Credits)
- IST 613: Library Planning, Marketing and Assessment (3 Credits)
- IST 614: Management Principles for Information Professionals (3 Credits)
- IST 616: Information Resources: Organization and Access (3 Credits)
- IST 618: Information Policy (3 Credits)
Electives – 15 Credits
Electives allow students to extend their core knowledge and skills in the direction of their choice. Electives can be selected from iSchool courses from the Library and Information Science: School Media program and the Information Systems program. Students can also take up to 6 credits of specific graduate courses from other Syracuse University schools, such as the Martin J. Whitman School of Management.
- IST 564: Accessible Library and Information Services (3 Credits)
- IST 659: Data Administration Concepts and Database Administration (3 Credits)
- IST 707: Applied Machine Learning (3 Credits)
- IST 625: Enterprise Risk Management (3 Credits)
- IST 611: Information Technologies in Educational Organizations (3 Credits)
- IST 662: Instructional Strategies and Techniques for Information Professionals (3 Credits)
- IST 668: Literacy Through School Libraries (3 Credits)
- IST 661: Managing a School Library (3 Credits)
- IST 645: Managing Information Systems Projects (3 Credits)
- IST 663: Motivating 21st-Century Learning (3 Credits)
- IST 664: Natural Language Processing (3 Credits)
- IST 612: Youth Services in Libraries and Information Centers (3 Credits)
- IST 635: Collection Development and Access (3 Credits)
Professional Pathways
Six professional pathways are offered to allow you to align your coursework to your professional goals. To learn more about each pathway and how they may match your career goals, visit our professional pathway page.
Exit Requirement – 3 Credits
The exit requirement for the Master of Science in Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree is either a 3-credit internship or independent study.
MS in Library and Information Science: School Media
The online Master of Science in Library and Information Science: School Media program meets the same high academic standards as Syracuse University’s on-campus programs. The curriculum is 36 credits and can be completed in as few as 18 months. The curriculum is structured as follows:
Primary Coursework – 9 Credits
Build foundation knowledge in introductory concepts, information resources, and management and policy.
- IST 511: Introduction to the Library and Information Profession (3 Credits)
- IST 605: Reference and Information Literacy Services (3 Credits)
- IST 613: Library Planning, Marketing and Assessment (3 Credits)
- IST 616: Information Resources: Organization and Access (3 Credits)
- IST 618: Information Policy (3 Credits)
- IST 661: Managing a School Library (3 Credits)
Electives – 15 Credits
- IST 564: Accessible Library and Information Services (3 Credits)
- IST 611: Information Technologies in Education Organizations (3 Credits)
- IST 612: Youth Services in Libraries and Information Centers (3 Credits)
- IST 663: Motivating 21st-Century Learning (3 Credits)
- IST 668: Literacy Through School Libraries (3 Credits)
Exit Requirement – 3 Credits
The exit requirements for the Master of Science in Library and Information Science: School Media degree include fieldwork and the School Media Practicum.
- Fieldwork – complete a total of 100 (non-credit) hours of fieldwork in elementary and secondary school libraries before their practicum experience. A minimum of 15 hours must be spent working with students with special needs.
- IST 972: School Media Practicum – Completed after fieldwork, the 3-credit required practicum consists of 240 hours of fully supervised school-based library experiences at the elementary and secondary levels (120 hours in each).