Academics

Syracuse Online iSchool Curriculum

Syracuse’s online iSchool 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
MS in Information Management
MS in Information Management for Executives
MS in Library and Information Science
MS in Library and Information Science: School Media

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 36 credits and can be completed in 18 months. Designed to provide students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills, the curriculum is structured as follows:

Primary Coursework - 18 Credits

Primary core coursework builds foundational knowledge and skills in preparation for more advanced data application and techniques.

Analytics Application Core Courses - 3 to 6 Credits

Analytics application core courses provide students with an opportunity to choose one or two specializations so they can develop their preferred area of expertise. Students will learn to apply practical data science techniques to solve complex problems and pull insights from data.

Electives - 12 to 15 Credits

Elective coursework allows students to develop advanced skills in another area of interest or within their specialization.

Exit Requirement - Portfolio Milestone

Students choose specific projects throughout the program that best showcase their particular skills. Completed projects are included in the final portfolio and submitted to a panel of faculty for review in students’ final term.

MS in Information Management

The online Master of Science in Information Management program meets the same high academic standards as Syracuse University’s on-campus program. The curriculum is 42 credits and can be completed in as few as 21 months. The curriculum is structured as follows:

Primary Coursework - 9 Credits

Primary core courses build the foundational knowledge and skills upon which advanced courses are based.

Secondary Coursework - 12 Credits

Students need to choose two courses, or 6 credits, from each track in the secondary core.

Management Strategies and Users Track - 6 Credits Required
Technological Infrastructure Track - 6 Credits Required

Electives - 12 to 18 Credits

All graduate-level iSchool courses are acceptable electives toward the MSIM 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, students 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.

In-Person Immersion

This two- to three-day immersion workshop, offered at least twice per calendar year, presents emerging topics in the information studies field and is organized and coordinated by a lead faculty member at the iSchool. Designed to bring together students from all graduate programs, workshop topics and presentations feature guest speakers from commercial, government, community and educational organizations.

For students in the MSIM program, including those designated as executive status, one immersion workshop is required during the duration of their program of study, although it is not for credit.

Exit Requirements

The exit requirements for the Master of Science in Information Management degree are IST 755 and IST 971.

MS in Information Management for Executives

For people with six or more years of full-time professional experience in the information management field with a record of continuously increasing job responsibilities, the iSchool offers a 30-credit program for executives that can be completed in 15 months. The curriculum is structured as follows:

Primary Coursework - 9 Credits

Students can choose 9 credits from the lists below, selecting all credits from one track, or from a mix of both.

Management Strategies and Users Track
Technological Infrastructure Track

Secondary Coursework - 9 Credits

Students can choose 9 credits from the lists below, selecting all credits from one track, or from a mix of all four.

Data Science Track
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 Management 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, students 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.

In-Person Immersion

This two- to three-day immersion workshop, offered at least twice per calendar year, presents emerging topics in the information studies field and is organized and coordinated by a lead faculty member at the iSchool. Designed to bring together students from all graduate programs, workshop topics and presentations feature guest speakers from commercial, government, community and educational organizations.

For students in the MS in Information Management program, including those in the executive program, one immersion workshop is required during the duration of their program of study, although it is not for credit.

Exit Requirement

The exit requirements for the Master of Science in Information Management 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

Students will complete core coursework in the following topics: Introductory Concepts, Information Resources, and Management and Policy.

Electives - 15 Credits

Electives allow students to extend their core knowledge and skills in directions of their choice. Electives can be selected from iSchool courses from the Library and Information Science: School Media program and the Information Management 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

Professional Pathways

Six professional pathways are offered to allow students to further align their coursework to their professional goals. To learn more about each pathway and how they may match your career goals, visit our professional pathway page.

In-Person Immersion

Hosted at least twice per year, immersions allow students to meet and collaborate with their peers, learn from guest speakers who are industry experts, and participate in collaborative workshops. Students will be required to attend at least one immersion during their degree program, but please note that immersions are not for credit.

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

Students will complete core coursework in the following topics: Introductory Concepts, Information Resources, and Management and Policy.

Electives - 15 Credits

In-Person Immersion

Hosted at least twice per year, immersions allow students to meet and collaborate with their peers, learn from guest speakers who are industry experts, and participate in collaborative workshops. Students are required to attend at least one immersion, although immersions are not for credit.

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 - Students must 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).