Credit Requirements

The requirements for completion of an MPS degree in Information Science are designed to give students broad exposure to the Information Science field and provide the flexibility for students to combine Information Science with their individual career goals.

To complete the MPS degree in Information Science, you should complete at least 30 credits of courses at a 5000-level or higher, distributed as follows:

I. Information Science Courses

Complete at least 18 credits of courses in Information Science, divided into two categories: 

  • Human and Social Systems (HSS, minimum 9 credits): courses that focus on the human and social aspects of computing systems and digital technology.
  • Information Systems (IS, minimum 9 credits): courses that focus on the technical and technological aspects of computing systems. 

Focus areas: to aid in selecting courses, students may choose one or more focus areas that are congruent with their career goals. Choosing a focus area is not required and serves as guidance for course selection.

Note: A small number of Information Science courses may fulfill either IS/HSS category according to the student’s choice, but they cannot be double-counted in both categories.

II. MPS Project (INFO 5900, 3 or 6 credits, Fall or Spring)

Students must complete at least 1 project (3 credits) by enrolling in the MPS Project course (INFO 5900) in the Fall or in the Spring. Students may complete 2 projects, one in the Fall and one in the Spring. 

  • Alternatively, students may complete the MPS Project requirement through the Digital Technology Immersion course (NBA 6480, Spring only), offered through the Johnson Business School. Note that there are limited seats in NBA 6480.

III. Project Management (INFO 5125, 3 credits, Fall only)

All students are required to successfully complete a Project Management course either prior to or at the same semester as the MPS Project course.

  • While INFO 5125 is designed specifically for Information Science students, students can alternatively complete one of the following courses:
    • CEE 5900 Project Management
    • ENMGT 5900 Project Management
    • NBA 5410 Project Management
    • PADM 5414 Project Management
    • SYSEN 5930 Project Management
  • Students may waive the project management requirement by providing proof of one of the following exceptions, by attaching the proof document to their checklist.
    • A graduate degree (in any field of study). 
    • Full time work experience 1 year or more (in any industry).
    • Full time work experience managing a project for at least 4 months or more. 
    • Successfully completed a Project Management / program management class with a letter of B or higher. Attach your transcript, highlighting the PM course you have taken and the grade.
    • Received one of the following certificates:  
      • PMP: Project Management Professional certification
      • CAPM: Certified Associate in Project Management
      • CSM: Certified ScrumMaster
      • CompTIA Project+ Certification
      • PRINCE2 Foundation/PRINCE2 Practitioner
      • CPMP: Certified Project Management Practitioner
      • APM: Associate in Project Management
      • MPM: Master Project Manager
      • PPM: Professional in Project Management
      • CPD: Certified Project Director
      • CPM: Certified Project Manager (IAPM)
      • BVOP: Business Value-oriented Principles
      • Project Management in IT Security (PMITS)
      • Project Management Training Certification
      • ACP: Agile Certified Practitioner
      • CSSGB: Certified Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate
      • CSSBB: Certified Six Sigma Black Belt
      • GPM-IPMA Levels A–D
      • Certified Business Professional Associate (BPA)
      • CIM: Certified in Management Designation 
      • Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)
      • Professional Certification in Team leadership
      • CompTIA Project+ Certification 
      • Salesforce Administrator Certification 

IV. Professional Career Development

All MPS students are required to successfully complete Professional Career Development (INFO 5905, 0.5 credit, S/U, Fall/Spring).

Students may waive the Professional Career Development requirement if they have received a job offer or have a job awaiting them after graduation. To petition to waive this requirement, email Rebecca Salk, rebecca.salk@cornell.edu prior to the start of the semester. Attach the waiver approval to your checklist for future reference. 

V. Electives

Any remaining credits to fulfill the 30-credit requirement may be taken as elective courses. Elective courses prepare you for a professional career by complementing and extending your Information Science degree.

  • A list of pre-approved electives can be found in the MPS course spreadsheet. 
  • All INFO/CS/STSCI course at a 5000-level or higher that are not categorized as IS/HSS are automatically pre-approved as electives. 
  • INFO 7900, Independent Research, is a pre-approved elective. To enroll in INFO 7900, students must communicate with and receive an approval from the faculty member they are interested in doing research with. 
  • To receive an approval for an elective that is not pre-approved, email the Director of the MPS program, Gilly Leshed, the following information:
    • Course ID
    • Course title
    • Course description found in the Cornell Class Roster 
    • Justification on why you want to take the course and its relevancy to your MPS degree.

Grade Requirements

  • Information Science and Elective courses: a minimum grade of C. Two of these credits may be taken as pass/fail (S/U), including INFO 5905, Professional Career Development.
  • MPS Project: a minimum grade of B.
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

MPS Checklist

Each student will receive a link to an individualized spreadsheet in which they will enter the courses they have taken in each of the requirement categories. Students are expected to keep the checklist up-to-date to track their progress toward completing the degree requirements.

For More Information

Students are welcome to consult with Gilly Leshed, Director of the MPS program, or Barbara Woske, Graduate Field Assistant about their academic plan.