Online Information Science Degree Programs

Online information science degree programs prepare their graduates to become proficient in different area.

These areas include the collection, organization, and use of digital or electronic data and one of the areas that has benefited from the increase of technology in the area of library services. Information science degrees teach students procedures in data and information collection, categorization, storage and distribution. This is an interdisciplinary science that integrates the study of the social, cognitive, social and technological role of information. In addition, it also addresses the function of organizations and interactions of these organizations, as well as the interactions of the information systems of those that utilize the data. The areas of library science, mathematics, computer science, cognitive science, and the social sciences integrate to make up this interdisciplinary which is geared toward applying information and solving systematic problems.

Online Information Systems and Information Science Programs

University of Phoenix

• MS in Information Science
• Doctor of Management in Information Systems and Technology (DM/IST)

Walden University

• B. S. in Computer Information Systems - Human Computer Interaction

Colorado Technical University Online

• Doctorate Computer Science in Enterprise Information Systems - Executive Format

The University of Liverpool

• Master of Science in Information Technology

Grantham University - Online

• Master of Science Information Management Technology
• Master of Science Information Technology

Norwich University

• Master of Science in Information Assurance

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Information Science Education and Training

Information science courses are a combination of social sciences and computer sciences. This brings into discussion the interdisciplinary nature of the program. Information science classes may include information retrieval, information literacy, information security, information ethics, informatics, user interface design, abstraction and analysis, human-computer interaction, human information interactions information systems analysis and design, natural language processing, database systems and electronic records management. Approaches to the field include:

• General information science
• User-centered technology
• Library science

Degrees can be completed at the bachelor, master, or doctorate levels, e.g. the master information science degree online. For students wishing to pursue library science - Library and Information Science (L&IS) they may be required to take specific courses in archiving, digital preservation, histories of libraries, etc.

Graduates who want to join the knowledge management track have a choice of training in L&IS, which includes training in media and technology. The management information systems (MIS) degree brings together computer skills and industry principles.

MIS and L&IS curricula share some common courses. Both disciplines provide students training in basic and advance training in networking, database management, and software and hardware foundations. The MIS track emphasizes business and management courses, and business computing courses. On the other hand the L&IS track focuses on data management, indexing, and media. In the areas discussed above, the foci might include:

• Information policy
• Information systems architecture
• Web design and technology
• Information management
• Database design

Information Science Careers

Being an interdisciplinary field, students of information science degree programs can choose from various career options that include database design and execution, information architecture, research technology, web design, database administration intellectual property, information retrieval, web development, systems analysis, networking, etc.

There are several main career tracks for Information Science degree holders

• Libraries: Careers in public, academic, corporate, medical libraries, museums, archives etc. This area combines information science training with librarian experience
• Government: Organizing large amounts of resources, data, and information in administrative positions at local, state, and federal levels
• Corporate: Record sorting, keeping, and reporting
• Technology: Careers for systems analysts, webmasters, database specialists and network administrators
• Freelance: Working on short-term projects e.g. indexing

Job titles include:

• Webmaster
• Web designer
• Usability specialist (user experience specialist)
• Information systems analyst
• Information specialist
• Knowledge manager
• Reference librarian
• Library director
• Document analyst
• Archivist
• Technical writer

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

The demand for trained information management specialists is steadily growing, for instance in areas like non-profit management, knowledge management, schools, and corporate sectors.

Average earnings per year in information science related fields are as follows:

• Information scientists and researchers - $97,000
• Computer systems analysts - $80,000
• Systems designers - $67,000
• Database managers - $84,750 to $116,000
• Network architects - $112,250
• Database developers - $73,500 to $103,000
• Web developers - $67,500
• Software engineers - $84,560
• Library sciences - $45,000
• Database managers $85,000 - $116,000
• Network architect $78,000 - $112,500
• Database developer $73,500 - $103,000
• Senior web developer $71,000 - $102,000
• Database administrator $70,250 - $102,000

Information sciences and library sciences is a fast growing field. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the computer and information industry is expected to grow by 37% over the next several years while the employment of librarians is expected to grow by 8% between 2008 and 2018. Graduates with an online information science degree will have various career options to choose from as shown above.