Program Overview

Master of Arts in Information

The Master of Arts in Information enables students to gain a solid foundation in areas such as general librarianship, information architecture & technology, information needs & services, youth information needs & services, as well as design an individualized program of study. Students will gain the theoretical basis needed to build the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to function effectively in professional positions within Information Studies.

Program Goals

• Students who complete the MSI/MAI core will achieve KSAs determined by relevant stakeholders, including but not limited to ALA.
• Students who follow specific programs of study and/or complete certificates will achieve KSAs determined by industry/organizational/disciplinary standards.
• Course objectives and descriptions will be aligned with the course content in terms of measurable outputs.
• Achievements of individual students, alumni, and faculty will be identified and communicated.
• Relevant stakeholders will have input into the MSI/MAI curriculum, including helping identify future faculty needs.
• The MSI/MAI programs will work strategically toward diversity and inclusion in its curriculum and student population
• The MSI/MAI program will explore strategic partnerships within and outside of the university for educational and research opportunities.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts in Information (MAI) requires 36 semester hours, including four required core courses and one technology skills requirement course. Students in the MAI program must also opt to complete 6 or more semester hours of graduate credit in a field outside of Information. In addition, they must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language.

Required Core Courses

• LIS 5271 Research Methods in Information Studies (3 credits)
• LIS 5411 Introduction to Information Policy (3 credits)
• LIS 5408 Management of Information Organizations (3 credits)
• LIS 5703 Information Organization (3 credits)

Technology Skills Requirement

The FSU iSchool is committed to educating students to have the technology skills necessary to be successful information professionals. Accordingly, all MAI students are required to take at least one technology-focused course prior to completion of the degree.

• LIS 5485 Introduction to Information Technologies (strongly recommended for students with no prior IT background)
• LIS 5255 Information, Technology, and Older Adults
• LIS 5275 Usability Analysis
• LIS 5313 Digital Media: Concepts and Production
• LIS 5362 Design and Production of Networked Multimedia
• LIS 5472 Digital Libraries
• LIS 5484 Introduction to Data Networks
• LIS 5486 Managing Makerspaces
• LIS 5489 Network Administration
• LIS 5765 Data Mining and Analytics
• LIS 5775 Organizational Information Security
• LIS 5782 Database Management Systems

Outside the Department Courses

6 or more semester hours of graduate credit must be taken in one or more of the following fields:

• art
• classical language
• literature
• civilization
• communication (not to include speech correction)
• English
• history
• humanities
• modern languages and linguistics
• music
• philosophy
• religion
• theatre

Elective Courses

The remaining credits may be taken from among any LIS-5000 level course and are selected depending on the needs of the student, the current technology skill level, and the foundation needs to support the student's professional goals.

Time to Completion

• Course work for the Master degree must be completed within 7 years from the time the student first registers for graduate credit.
• Any graduate work transferred from another institution must have commenced not more than 7 years prior to completion of the degree for the credits to be applicable to the Master's degree.
• Exceptions may be appealed through the School of Information.

Programs of Study

To help facilitate course selection, courses have been organized into programs of study along general and specialized areas of interest. These programs of study are not required for graduation and do not result in any further notation on the diploma or transcripts, but rather function as a planning and advising tool for the students. Programs of study may help to guide your course selection in order to facilitate achievement of your career goals. They include:

• Cultural Informatics
• General Librarianship
• Health Informatics
• Information Organization
• Leadership & Management
• Public, Academic, and Special Libraries
• Reference Services
• School Libraries
• Technology & Networking
• Web Design
• Youth Services

Certificates Programs

Certificate Programs are also available while pursuing a Master of Arts degree within the School of Information. Certificate programs are designed to provide an opportunity for professional development and result in an award separate from the diploma with the successful completion of select coursework for the certificate.

Thesis Option

Students pursuing the Master of Science in Information or the Master of Arts in Information have the option to complete a thesis as part of their curriculum. The subject of the thesis must be within the major field and must reveal independent investigation and knowledge of the methods of scholarship.

Tuition and Financial Support

Graduate Funding Information

• Funding Your Education
• Cost of Attendance
• Reduced Tuition Programs
  • Academic Common Market
  • Market Rate for Non-Florida Residents
• School of Information Scholarship Opportunities
• School of Information Assistantship Opportunities
• FSU Graduate School Funding and Award Opportunities
• External Funding Opportunities
• Financial Literacy

Cost of Attendance

Estimated Tuition/Fee Costs for the Academic Year: Tuition and Fees for all online graduate courses offered by the School of Information include a combination of state-required tuition/fees plus an additional fee called an auxiliary fee that is assessed for online classes. The specific breakdown of tuition and fees depends upon your residency status for tuition purposes.

Master's Programs

Leon/Gadsden/Wakulla county residents

• Florida Residents – $579.32/semester hour
• Non-Florida Residents – $1,210.72/semester hour All other locations outside of Leon/Gadsden/Wakulla county residents
• Florida Residents – $544.26/semester hour
• Non-Florida Residents – $1,175.66/semester hour
• Reduced Tuition Market Rate (MSI program only) – $644.34/semester hour

Additional Fees

In addition to the per hour rate listed above, the University also assesses the following fees to all students:

• Facilities Use Fee – $20 flat fee per semester
• Technology Fee – $5.16/semester hour
• FSU Card Term Fee (Fall & Spring only) – $5.00 flat fee per semester

Academic Common Market

The Academic Common Market (ACM), a program of the Southern Regional Education Board, is an interstate agreement among southern states for sharing academic programs. Participating states enable their residents who qualify for admission to enroll in specific on-campus and online graduate programs in other states without having to pay out-of-state tuition. Arrangements traditionally are limited to programs not offered by the public institutions within the student's state of residence.

Market Rate

The FSU School of Information offers a reduced tuition program to qualified out-of-state students pursuing the Master of Science in Information. This reduced tuition program can only be applied to LIS 5000-level online courses. If you register for courses in another department, regular non-Florida resident tuition rates will apply to these non-iSchool courses.