Information Management FAQ
- What is the information management program?
- Can I be considered for the information management program if I do not come from an information technology, information systems, or management background?
- What is the difference between the information management program and the management information systems (MIS) degrees I've seen at other universities?
- What are the application requirements for the information management program?
- Is work experience a requirement for admission to the information management program?
- What are the minimum GRE, GMAT, and/or TOEFL scores needed to be considered for admission to the information management program?
- What are the GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL institutional codes for the School of Information Studies?
- What is the tuition for the information management program?
- How can international students document their financial information?
- Are scholarships and assistantships available? How do I become eligible for them?
- What specializations are available in the information management program?
- Is the information management program offered in the distance learning format?
- Can I take courses from other schools within Syracuse University?
- How many credits can I transfer from another degree?
- What is the career outlook for graduates of the information management program?
1. What is the information management program?
The masters degree program in information management (IM) provides an interdisciplinary education focused on developing expertise in information technology, business management, and information user needs. The IM degree aims to prepare information management professionals who can analyze information needs, design organizational structures, evaluate information technology approaches, provide human resource support, and develop management strategies to meet organizational needs as they evolve over time. Graduates of the program are well equipped to work in business, government, and not-for-profit organizations in a number of capacities. TheiSchool at Syracuse is ranked No. 1 in information systems among library and information studies schools by U.S. News & World Report.
For a comprehensive overview of the degree program, visit:
2. Can I be considered for the information management program if I do not come from an information technology, information systems, or management background?
Yes. The IM program welcomes students with diverse educational backgrounds, from computer science and information systems to fine arts, humanities, social sciences, and public policy. Coursework provides an introduction to the basics of information technology and its related management issues.
3. What is the difference between the information management program and the management information systems (MIS) degrees Ive seen at other universities?
The MIS degree is traditionally offered by business schools, and the IM degree by information schools. MIS curricula usually focus on the study of classic management disciplines such as accounting, finance, marketing, or organizational theory, but have less depth in areas like IT and IT management. MIS programs generally do not provide thorough coverage of topics such as data management, security management, project management, and e-business.
Business schools often require the GMAT. We require the GRE, but we will also accept your GMAT scores if you have already taken that exam.
4. What are the application requirements for the information management program?
Application requirements include:
- Official documentation of having earned at least a U.S. bachelors degree, or its equivalent from another country, by the time you enroll at Syracuse University
- Graduate application form
- Non-refundable application fee of $65
- Two copies of records of all previous postsecondary education
- Two letters of recommendation
- All scores for GRE, GMAT, and/or TOEFL exams
- Two copies of a current resume
- Personal statement of purpose
International students only:
- International applicants who need Syracuse University to issue them an I-20 form for a student visa must show sufficient funding for at least the first year of graduate study.
For a complete description of application requirements, access to the electronic application, and to download School of Information Studies forms, visit:
5. Is work experience a requirement for admission to the information management program?
Prior work experience is not a requirement for admission to the program; however, business or industry experience is desirable as it enhances the learning experience. A sizeable percentage of IM students have full-time work experience. Previous employment experience is also considered in application decisions.
6. What are the minimum GRE, GMAT, and/or TOEFL scores needed to be considered for admission to the information management program?
While test scores are an important part of your application, the admissions committee evaluates applicants holistically, meaning that the entirety of an applicants experiences including academic performance, past employment, and personal statements are taken into consideration. In the past, students achieving scores in the 80th and above percentiles on the GRE or GMAT have been granted admission, provided their overall applications were appropriate.
7. What are the GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL institutional codes for the School of Information Studies?
All GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL scores should be reported to Syracuse University using institution code 2823. It is not necessary to request that scores be reported to a specific school or department within the University.
8. What is the tuition for the information management program?
The 2006-2007 tuition for graduate students in the School of Information Studies is $940 per credit hour.
School of Information Studies fees are as follows:
- 3 credit hours or less = $75
- 4-8credit hours = $125
- 9 credit hours or more = $175
9. How can international students document their financial information?
School of Information Studies policy states that international students must provide a bank statement showing sufficient funds to meet first year expenses. If a student has secured a loan, then the funds from that loan must be deposited into an account and documented on a bank statement. All bank statements must be current, printed on official bank letterhead, and signed by an authorized bank official. A promise for a loan does not meet our financial requirements.
10. Are scholarships and assistantships available? How do I become eligible for them?
A limited number of scholarships and graduate assistantships are awarded each year to outstanding applicants by the School of Information Studies. Your application for admission also functions as your application for scholarships and assistantships.
Additional assistantship opportunities may be available within the larger University community. Please visit Syracuse Universitys JobNet at
http://seo.syr.edu/jobnet.htm or individual department web sites for more information.
11. What specializations are available in the information management program?
The IM program offers five optional specializations:
- Data management
- Information security
- Project management and resource planning
- Electronic business and electronic government
- Information and telecommunications policy
12. Is the information management program offered in the distance learning format?
Yes. The IM program is offered via the distance learning format, which uses the schools asynchronous Web-based teaching and learning environment called WebCT. The distance program requires a 7-day residency on the Syracuse University campus at the start of the degree and a 2-day residency, either on campus or in Washington, D.C., for the capstone course. Students have the option of attending classes on campus if their schedules permit.
13. Can I take courses from other schools within Syracuse University?
Students are allowed and encouraged to take courses from other departments within the University to meet their elective requirements. These courses should be relevant to IM specialization areas. In the past, students have taken courses with the department of computer science, the Whitman School of Management, and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Eight to 14 credits (the equivalent of two to four classes) are usually given over to electives.
14. How many credits can I transfer from another degree?
Students may transfer up to 6 credits toward the completion of the IM degree. There are two types of transfer credits:
- credits earned from courses taken prior to matriculation to the School of Information Studies at another unit of Syracuse University or at another institution, and
- credits earned from courses taken at an institution other than Syracuse University after matriculation at the school.
All transfer credits must be at the masters degree level and must show a grade of B or higher, or pass in the case of a pass/fail system. Two copies of the Petition to Transfer Credit must be filed before the student has completed 18 credits.
15. What is the career outlook for graduates of the information management program?
The School of Information Studies has been quite successful in the career placement of its IM graduates. With the economy picking up, grads are in demand for an array of IT and management positions at companies like KPMG, Ernst & Young, Deloitte & Touche, IBM, Microsoft, and others. Many IM graduates also take jobs within the non-for-profit and government sectors.
Syracuse University hosts a large career fair each fall and spring, as well as an internship fair each spring. Within the School of Information Studies, students are encouraged to take advantage of our Office of Career Planning.