Program Overview

The information science discipline is expanding rapidly thanks to an ever-present demand for new innovations in information retrieval, storage, processing and analysis tools and techniques. Ranked among the top information science programs by both U.S. News & World Report and Intelligent.com, UA Little Rock’s Master of Science in information science is designed to familiarize individuals with the advanced knowledge, skills, and technologies for working with large amounts of complex data.

The curriculum balances theory and industry best practices using state-of-the-art tools and technology. It is based on the Model Curriculum and Guidelines for Graduate Degree Programs in Information Systems endorsed by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and Association for Information Systems (AIS), with a data science perspective.

All required courses are offered online via live webcast and recorded lectures. Online campus students are not required to attend live webcasts but are welcome to do so when they wish. Courses are taught by highly qualified doctoral-level faculty with extensive experience in the field. Students will complete a 6-credit project (or thesis) which is often related to their workplace environment.

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Program Details

Admission Requirements

Entry Terms: Fall and Spring Semesters
Candidates who have a background in computer programming, database concepts, and applied statistics, or who have professional experience in an information analysis or other relevant computing related role will be the most prepared to enter the program.
Requirements for Regular Admission without Conditions • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution • Cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or other standardized test (if available) • Students may be required to take certain courses instead of elective courses if they have not had the equivalents (with a grade of B or better), or employment experience equivalent to: IFSC 2300 Object-Oriented Technology IFSC 3320 Database Concepts STAT 2350 Intro to Statistical Methods
For more information, please contact Dr. Daniel Berleant at jdberleant@ualr.edu.

Graduation Requirements

Our curriculum has a distinctive core.  In addition to the four required core courses, each student will choose five graduate level courses relevant to the program's educational goals and the student’s interests and career objectives. Courses do not all have to be in the Department of Information Science. A limit of two courses may be selected from the Information Quality catalog. Students will also complete a project or thesis, which may be connected to the student's employment where applicable. This must total at least 6 credit hours, normally divided across two semesters.  

Program Advisor

Dr. Daniel Berleant | Professor and Coordinator Department of Information Science 501-916-5226 | jdberleant@ualr.edu | Main program website

Accreditation

UA Little Rock is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, affiliated with the Electronic Campus of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), and designated as “doctoral/research intensive” by the Carnegie Foundation.

Disabilities

UA Little Rock makes every effort to meet special accommodation and access needs. For information on specific accommodations for individuals with disabilities, you may contact the department sponsoring the class you wish to attend, call eLearning at 501-569-3003, or the Office of Disability Support Services at 501-569-3143. The Disability Support Services website, ualr.edu/disability/, provides information about the accommodation process and online forms to apply for services.
Cost per credit hour: $396