Master of Information


This innovative multi-disciplinary program explores information and knowledge management in all its breadth, depth and richness. MI graduates are the next generation of valued professionals, able to lead the progression of information design, organization, storage, access and retrieval, dissemination, preservation, conservation and management. With a deep understanding of the needs of society, career opportunities are found across all industries and sectors.


Attend our Virtual Information Day to learn more! Janaury 20 @ 10 am – 1 pm ET. Register HERE Today!


Master of Information (MI) Program Director: Prof. Colin Furness

The MI program is accredited by the American Library Association.

As of Fall 2024, students in the MI program will follow the concentration pathway to complete their degree requirements.

Concentration pathway: the program offers 5 concentrations that students can choose from, and can be completed by fulfilling the requirements through any one of the following pathway options:

  • Concentration by Coursework only
  • Concentration + Thesis
  • Concentration + Co-op

The MI program requires students to complete 8.0-credits regardless of pathway chosen. Once students complete 8.0-credits, they will be marked for graduation and no additional courses can be taken. In the process of completing the 8.0-credits, students might be eligible to request to take up to 1.0-credit of “extra” courses that do not contribute to degree requirements.

Students are eligible to complete their pathway based on course work only, or incorporate a Collaborative Specialization, thesis or Co-op as part of their degree experience. Full-time students can finish the program in 2 years (with a maximum allowed duration of 3 years). Part-time students are eligible to use up to 6 years to complete their degree requirements.

Collaborative specializations allow students to specialize in a field outside of their main area of study and count the courses taken as electives in their MI degree program.

      MI Thesis Option

The MI thesis option allows students to gain experience in developing and executing a research project from beginning to end. This option is designed for students who have a clearly defined topic, can find a supervisor, and can meet tight deadlines in order to complete all program requirements within the normal time limit. The thesis option is typically carried out in the 2nd year of the two-year program. Faculty approval is required.

MI Co-op Option

A Co-operative education (Co-op) is an academic program coupled with experiential education attained in partnership between students, employers and an academic institution. The MI Co-op is an option within the MI program to complete 2 consecutive, paid, full-time Co-op work terms and gain professional experience in your field of study. It is an opportunity to apply knowledge in a real world situation and gain academic credit for it.


Concentration Pathway

The MI program requires students to complete 8.0-credits regardless of pathway chosen. Once students complete 8.0-credits, they will be marked for graduation and no additional courses can be taken. In the process of completing the 8.0-credits, students might be eligible to request to take up to 1.0-credit of “extra” courses that do not contribute to degree requirements.

 Concentration by coursework only Concentration plus a thesis Concentration plus a co-op
  1. Complete the required courses of a chosen concentration
  2. INF1005H (0.25 CR) and INF1006H (0.25 CR)
  3. Fulfill remaining credits with electives
    1. INF1005H (0.25 CR)
    2. INF1006H (0.25 CR)
    3. Complete the required courses of a chosen concentration
    4. Research Methods Course (0.5 CR) appropriate to the student’s program of study, with a final grade of at least A–.
    5. Reading Course (0.5 CR) with the student’s intended supervisor, with a final grade of at least A–.
    6. A thesis (2.0 CR)
    7. Fulfill remaining credits with electives
 

    1. Complete the required courses of a chosen concentration
    2.  Choose between the Co-op Independent Modules or  INF3900H — The Emerging Professional (0.5 CR)
  1. Two (2) 12-week Co-op placements: INF3902H (0.5 CR) and INF3903H (0.5 CR)
  2. Fulfill remaining credits with electives

Changing or adding a second concentration

Students will be able to review, and may request to change their concentration around March/late-Winter.

Students wishing to add a second concentration may submit a request near the end of your second year of study.

It is advisable that you meet with an academic advisor prior to requesting a concentration change or addition to review your current academic standing and progress in the program. We will share details when the time comes.

Please note, students can take courses in any of the concentrations as your electives, no matter what concentration you are enrolled in. 


Required courses for each concentration. Click into each concentration for more details!

Students are able to take their Year 1 required courses in Year 2. However, for concentrations with a Year 2 required course, students need to ensure that they have the pre-requisites completed prior to taking the Year 2 required courses.

It is not a must to complete all Year 1 required courses in Year 1. It is, however, recommended that you complete your Year 1 required courses in Year 1 as they provide foundational knowledge. For students thinking about Co-op, you should complete all Year 1 required courses in Year 1.

For students that wish to complete 2 concentrations, please note you only take one INF1005H and one INF1006H – students are not eligible to take more than one INF1005H and/or more than one INF1006H.

Concentration Required Courses
ARM: Archives & Records Management Year 1 required courses:

Year 2 required courses:

    • None
C&T: Culture & Technology

*For anyone enrolled prior to Fall 2024

Year 1 required courses:

Year 2 required courses:

CIPS: Critical Information Policy Studies

*For anyone enrolled prior to Fall 2024

Year 1 required courses:

Year 2 required courses:

    • None
HCDS: Human Centered Data Science Year 1 required courses

Year 2 required courses

ISD: Information Systems & Design Year 1 required courses

Year 2 required courses

KMIM: Knowledge Management & Information Management

*For anyone enrolled prior to Fall 2024

Year 1 required courses

Year 2 required courses

    • None
LIS: Library & Information Science Year 1 required courses

Year 2 required courses

    • None
UXD: User Experience Design Year 1 required courses

Year 2 required courses


General Program Pathway (For anyone enrolled prior to Fall 2024 – Under curricular review: Not accepting applications for Fall 2024 
The general program pathway is for students that do not wish to choose a formal concentration.

They are still able to complete the pathway by choosing coursework only, or incorporating co-op, collaborative specializations, or a thesis.

Students in the general program must complete the following courses:

Students choosing the General Program Pathway needs to submit the General Program Pathway Request Form to Student Services before/when you complete eight 0.5-credit courses (4.0 credits total) midway through the MI program.

  • Student Learning Outcomes

  • Key Program Characteristics and Foundational Beliefs