Master of Information Information Systems and Design (Is&D) Concentration

Graduates of the University of Toronto's iSchool are highly sought after by both corporate and governmental employers. Within a year of graduation, 89 percent of MI alumni are employed, and 92 percent of those are employed full time in positions related to their field. The ability to organize and manage information is important to organizations large and small, and graduates of this information architecture program find that their skill set is very valuable in the job market.

The role of information in our society is growing larger every day, and so the role of an information architect is becoming ever more important. Students in the ISD concentration will learn how to analyze, design, and implement effective information systems. The concentration will help students develop the practical skills they need to manage these systems and keep growing as professionals throughout their career.

Students in the ISD concentration take seven required courses. These are Programming for Information Systems; Systems Analysis and Process Innovation; System Requirements and Architectural Design; Data Modeling and Database Design; Information Management and Systems; and two Information Workshops. A course in Information Systems, Services and Design is also recommended for students with minimal IT experience.

In addition to their ISD coursework, students in this IA program have many options for personalizing their degree. They can add another concentration, add a thesis, or add a collaborative program. They may also pursue the co-op option, which allows them to learn on the job, or job shadow alumni to build their network and understanding of the pathways available to them.

Students may choose up to two concentrations as part of their Master of Information, and ISD is just one of these. Each IA degree concentration has a different set of required core classes and recommended electives. Students also have the option of adding a thesis. This system allows students to create the academic pathway that best fits their career goals while ensuring that every MI student develops an understanding of the fundamental concepts of information management.

This concentration is also available in an executive option, with a different set of course requirements. In this version, students must take Programming for Information Systems, Systems Analysis & Process Innovation, System Requirements & Architectural Design, Data Modeling & Database Design, and Information Management & Systems. They must also take two Information Workshops and complete a work project.

The MI program is accredited by the American Library Association. The program begins in September each year, and applications for the following year open on October 1. The early admission deadline is January 31, and the regular deadline is March 31. Applications are considered on a rolling basis. The application can be completed entirely online, and the application fee is $125. Admissions status can be checked on the application website at any time, and decisions are communicated as soon as they are made.

The University of Toronto was founded as King's College in 1827. In 1850, it became a secular university and changed its name. There are more than 60,000 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the university, which comprises twelve colleges. The university has campuses in Scarborough and Mississauga in addition to Toronto.