Information Science

The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Information Science is an interdisciplinary, one-year program that prepares students for successful careers in information science. Students have the opportunity for study with faculty members who are leaders in their field. Capstone projects involve students in finding solutions to real world problems, providing experiences that can apply directly to jobs after graduation.  

Cornell's Information Science MPS allows each student to individually tailor a unique skill set for their career goals, such as user experience design, data science, interactive technology, and networks and markets. Our flexible curriculum allows students to develop strong technical skills and an in-depth understanding of the social and behavioral aspects of information technology. Students can choose from all the courses offered at Cornell during the program. For a look at this semester's MPS courses and approved electives. Each MPS student can map a course of study particular to the career goals that student is hoping to achieve. MPS students gain practical experience by putting their new skills to use in semester-long projects. 

Some positions that our graduating students have accepted in recent years include: Application Designer, Business Technical Analyst, Front End Web Developer, Integrations Engineer, IT Leadership, Research Scientist, Software Engineer, Systems Administrator, Usability Analyst, User Experience Architect, and Web Applications Developer. The average starting salary of the class of 2015 was $83,925. Our alumni can be found at leading companies in the industry, such as Apple, Deloitte, eBay, GE, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Oracle, Verizon and Yahoo!.  (Please see our Post Graduate Reports for more details about recent MPS graduate outcomes.)

INFORMATION SYSTEMS

• INFO 4120: Ubiquitous Computing
• INFO 4152: Advanced Topics in Computer Game Design †
• INFO 4300: Language and Information
• INFO 5100: Visual Data Analytics for the Web
• CS 4700: Foundations of Artificial Intelligence
• CS 5150: Software Engineering
• CS 5320: Introduction to Database Systems
• CS 5780: Machine Learning for Intelligent Systems
• ORIE 4740: Statistical Data Mining I

† INFO 4152 may count for either area depending on the track the student chooses in the course.

HUMAN AND SOCIAL SYSTEMS

• INFO 4152: Advanced Topics in Computer Game Design†
• INFO 4301: Ethics in New Media, Technology, and Communication
• INFO 4360: Communication Networks and Social Capital
• INFO 4410: Human Robot Interaction - Research And Design
• INFO 4420: Human Computer Interaction Studio
• INFO 4561: Stars, Scores, and Rankings: Evaluation and Society
• INFO 4650: Mobile Communication in Public Life
• INFO 5450: Computer-Mediated Communication
• INFO 6210: Information, Technology, and Society
• DEA 4210: Interactive and Adaptive Environments
• ECON 4020: Game Theory
• COMM 4660: Public Communication of Science and Technology
• ORIE 4350: Introduction to Game Theory

† INFO 4152 may count for either area depending on the track the student chooses in the course.

APPROVED ELECTIVES

• All CS and STSCI 4000+
  • ​See CS Enrollment Information for information on how to enroll in upper-level CS classes.
• AEM 4070: Advanced Financial Analytics
• AEM 4380: Entrepreneurial Strategy for Technology Ventures
• AEM 4390: Technology Strategy
• AEM 4610: Business Processes, Analytics, and Enterprise Systems
• AEM 4615: Platform Strategy
• AEM 4660: Market Dynamics, Computer Simulation and Modeling
• CEE 5900: Project Management
• DEA 4700: Applied Ergonomic Methods
• DEA 5520: Virtual Experience of Designed Environments
• DEA 6100: studies in Design Thinking
• NBA 5150: Leadership Theory and Practice
• NBA 5410: Project Management
• NBA 5690: Management Consulting Essentials
• NBA 5070: Entrepreneurship for Scientists and Engineers
• NBA 6010: Electronic Commerce
• NBA 6070: Designing Data Products
• NBA 6550: Introduction to Statistical Programming and SQL
• NBA 6650: The Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation
• NBA 6920: Advanced Data Analytics Applications and Methods
• ORIE 4820: Spreadsheet Based Modeling and Data Analysis
• ORIE 5270: Big Data Technologies
• SYSEN 5740: Design Thinking for Complex Systems
• SYSEN 5741: Design Thinking for Complex Systems
• STS 6321: Inside Technology

• Diplom Bakalavra; or, for institutes that do not award Diplom Bakalavra,a Diplom accompanied by transcript of courses taken and a letter from the university confirming that the applicant completed 3 years of study
• Transcripts 
• TOEFL. A minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based) or 250 (computer-based) is required.
• IELTS 7.0 
• 2 Recommendations
• GRE general test