The dual-degree pathway allows students to earn an information technology and informatics (I.T.I.) major within a
bachelor's degree and a master of information degree in five years of
continuous study. Students who have completed at least 90 credits may
apply and be considered for admission into the dual-degree pathway to
the master of information (M.I.) degree.
Benefits
- Allows students to gain a head start on graduate work during the senior undergraduate year by taking 12 graduate credits.
- Saves on tuition since the graduate courses taken during the undergraduate years are billed at the undergraduate tuition rate.
- Allows students to maintain continuity with their faculty,
university resources, and research facilities while completing a
master's degree.
- Gives students a competitive edge in the marketplace and increases earning potential.
Application Criteria and Process
Students must meet the following criteria and complete the
following processes to be considered for admission to the dual degree
program:
- Must be an I.T.I. major who has completed at least 90 credits.
- Must have and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above.
- Submit an online application through the Graduate Study portal.
- Submit essay responses to questions presented in the online application.
- Submit an official copy of their transcript.
- Submit one (1) letter of recommendation from a professor in their major.
- Must have four to five courses (i.e., 12-15 credits) remaining to complete the elective requirements for the I.T.I. major.
- Select "Library and Information Science" in the Program Selection section.
- Select the fall semester of your senior year and the appropriate "Curriculum."
Students must earn a grade of a B or higher in the graduate courses for them to be counted toward the M.I. degree.
Final admission decisions will be
made after the deadline dates listed in the application portal. Admission decisions are based on
evidence of high achievement.
Space is limited.
Program Plan -- How It Works
Year 4: Senior Year
After students receive notification of admission to the M.I. program in the
junior year, they should contact the I.T.I. program director to craft an individual program of study. In the fall and spring semesters of the
senior year, students will take two graduate courses per semester in
addition to completing other undergraduate requirements. The graduate
courses will be selected based on individual goals and
M.I. program requirements.These four courses (12 credits) will count both as undergraduate (I.T.I.
electives) and graduate (M.I.) requirements as long as the grade for
those courses is B or better. Upon successful completion of coursework
in the senior year, students will graduate from the undergraduate
program earning a bachelor's degree and transition into the graduate
program as an M.I. student.
During the senior year, students will meet with the M.I. program director to plan a graduate program of study for the fifth year. Students with
specific career goals or academic interests may also be directed to
other faculty advisers.
Year 5: The "+1" year
Once the undergraduate degree is complete, in the fifth and final year of the program students are expected to take the appropriate remaining
credits for M.I. program requirements. The M.I. degree requires a total of 36 credits; if the student has completed four courses in the senior
year, then there will be a requirement of 24 credits, or eight courses, in
the fifth year. These courses may be taken during summer, fall, winter,
or spring semesters.
Master of Information Program 
