A Range of Concentrations
A program concentration is a specialized area of study within a broader academic program, allowing students to focus on specific topics or disciplines of their choice.
Students who complete the requirements for a second concentration by the end of their degree will have the opportunity to request to have it added to their transcript using the Intent to Convocate Form, available prior to graduation.
What are Professional Requirements?
Students who began their program as of September 2024 need to complete their Professional Requirements. The Professional Requirements are divided into four categories: Technical, Managerial, Professional Values and Critical Perspectives. Students must fulfill 0.5 credits from each of the four categories. Students can fulfil these requirements by taking required and elective courses.
The Culture and Technology (C&T) concentration examines how society, culture, and understanding of the human condition influence, and are influenced by, technological development.
The Critical Information Policy Studies (CIPS) concentration educates a new type of professional specifically trained in critical approaches to the study of information in all its manifestations.
The Human Centred Data Science (HCDS) concentration provides students with the skills and knowledge to deal with complex, large-scale data sets and information systems while integrating a human-centred and societal focus throughout.
The Information Systems and Design (ISD) concentration examines how to analyze, design and implement the diverse array of systems used to manage all kinds of information in businesses and complex organizations.
The Knowledge Management and Information Management (KMIM) concentration explores the access, organization, processing, utilization, and monitoring of information shared within a corporation or community.
The Library and Information Science (LIS) concentration educates students in accessing, analyzing, organizing, evaluating, preserving, researching and presenting information found in all types of formats.
The User Experience Design (UXD) concentration provides students with the necessary core knowledge and skills to become marketable UX designers.
A Unique Professional Degree
The Master of Information (MI) is the Faculty’s largest program, attracting students from a wide variety of academic backgrounds. Graduates of this two-year professional program work in government, technology, business, health, education, and not-for-profit organizations, as well as archives, libraries, and other cultural institutions. Some go on to doctoral studies.
The MI program builds on four foundational beliefs: first and foremost, that information penetrates all aspects of our digitally-mediated society. This means that there is an increasing need for information professionals, who know how to handle the myriad forms of information in effective, innovative, and ethical ways, and who also understand the societal consequences of rapidly changing information practices.
MI Grads: Where are they now?
Taj-Rae Oliver (MI, Class of 2023)
Taj-Rae Oliver is a 2023 grad in the Faculty’s newest concentration, Human-Centred Data Science (HCDS). She now works in one of today’s most exciting, constantly changing and fast-paced fields as an analyst on an AI Policy team at Public Services and Procurement Canada.
Adam Joaquin (MI, Class of 2024)
Adam recently supported the launch of a digital resource hub for the Ontario government, designed to support individuals in their educational and career journeys. Following the launch, he led post-launch UX initiatives for further product enhancements. He now works as a Senior Service Designer continuing to support digital transformation for the Ontario Public Service.
Alexander Parent (MI, Class of 2024)
The first member of his family to attend university, Alexander Parent, who has a mild form of cerebral palsy, chaired the student-run Accessibility Interests Working Group as well as pursuing several research projects. He is now pursuing a PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at New York University.
Program Options
The Ml course work option provides students an opportunity to take a variety of courses within their chosen concentration, including elective courses from any concentration area. Within the program, students will experience breadth and depth in their course work where they can explore information and knowledge management in all its breadth, depth and richness.
The MI co-op is an option within the MI program to complete a total of two (1.0 credit), 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. Students who complete only one term (0.5 credits) of co-op will officially remain in the coursework pathway 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 second year of the two-year program. Faculty approval is required.
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. There are currently eight different collaborative specializations.
The MI program requires students who began their program in Fall 2024 or later to complete sixteen 0.5 credit courses (8.0 credits total), including 2.0 credits of Professional Requirements. Students are eligible to complete their degree based on course work only. Alternatively, they can participate in co-op or complete a thesis to earn the required credits. Full-time students can finish the program in two years (with a maximum allowed duration of three years). Part-time students may take up to six years to complete the degree requirements. Part-time students take up to two 0.5 credit courses per term. (0.5 credit courses at the University of Toronto last one semester.)
Program Essentials
More details about admissions requirements for domestic and international students can be found on the MI Applications page.
Information about tuition fees, financial aid, and scholarships and awards can be found on the Money Matters page.
Detailed information Awards, Scholarships and Financial Aid for domestic and international students can be found in the awards section.
Latest News
Lecturer Profile: Hemant Sangwan, networker extraordinaire
When Hemant Sangwan moved from a fulltime career in business to teaching at a local community college, he brought with him a dedication to networking and its importance in the working world. Drawing on his years in industry and his ongoing consulting work in data analysis and marketing research, Sangwan is committed to ensuring his […]
Dean Javed Mostafa at the OLA Super Conference
The Dean joined leading library and information science practitioners to explore emerging trends and gaps in research and scholarship.
Kode4Kids wins Ontario Public Service Hackathon
A team of MI students and alumni took home a key prize at the 2025 Ontario Public Service Microsoft Hackathon with their innovative project, Matching Children with Homes. The Kode4Kids team used smart algorithms and interactive dashboards to help service coordinators quickly find the best provider options, turning complex data into actionable insights that support […]
An MI grad’s self-portrait
For Jasmine Wemigwans, a recent Master of Information graduate, her return to painting wasn’t merely a creative outlet. It became a way to visually explore some of the most intriguing academic concepts she encountered during her MI studies. Prompted by an assignment and a desire to connect her studies to her Anishinaabe worldview, Wemigwans’ created […]
Four Foundational Beliefs of the MI Program
The Master of Information Program is built on four foundational beliefs. These are:
- Information penetrates all aspects of our digitally-mediated society.
- Information professionals need to understand the political, technological, and epistemological consequences of rapidly changing information practices.
- Education of information professionals must therefore address issues of leadership and critical thinking, and engage in studies of fundamental concepts, theories, and practices.
- Thorough explorations of technology and resources for information institutions, services, and professionals are essential.
MI Program Learning Outcomes
- Students understand and are conversant with fundamental concepts, theories, practices, and the diverse horizons of information disciplines, and can respond to changing information practices and needs of society.
- Students develop knowledge and values appropriate to their future exercise of economic, cultural, and/or social leadership, and thereby provide leadership in defining the social responsibility of information professionals to provide information services for all, regardless of age, educational level, or social, cultural, or ethnic background.
- Students develop the ability to contribute through research and publication, to the continuous expansion and critical assessment of the body of knowledge underlying the information and archives sciences.
- Students develop an understanding of the development of theory concerning information, where it is found, and how it is used.
- Students develop an understanding of the application of new technological developments to the preservation and communication of information, and in the identification of the impact of such developments on society.
- Students continue in life-long intellectual growth beyond graduation.
Accreditation
