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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, while taking no more than 19 credits per semester, 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. Professional Career Development
All MPS students are required to successfully complete Professional Career Development (INFO 5905, 0.5 credit, S/U, Fall/Spring). Early Credit students must take this in their second semester.
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.
IV. 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 Olivia Howarth, Assistant Director of the MPS program about their academic plan.