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Syracuse University’s iSchool Online Curriculum

The iSchool’s online graduate programs feature the same curriculum content as the full-time, on-campus programs, and graduates earn the same Syracuse University diploma.

Explore Our Online Degrees

To learn more about our curriculum, courses or credit requirements, select your program of interest below:

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MS in Applied Data Science

The online Master of Science in Applied Data Science program meets the same high academic standards of Syracuse University’s on-campus program. The curriculum is 34 credits and can be completed in as few as 18 months. Designed to provide you with critical thinking and problem-solving skills, the curriculum is structured as follows:

Primary Coursework – 18 Credits

Build foundational knowledge and skills in preparation for more advanced data application and techniques.

Secondary Coursework – 6 Credits

Choose six credits from one of the following tracks.

AI Track
Data and Business Analytics Track
Data Pipelines and Platforms Track
Language Analytics Track

Electives – 9 Credits

Choose any course from a different track, additional courses in your chosen track, or any course from the list below.

Exit Requirement – Portfolio Milestone – 1 credit

Choose specific projects throughout the program that best showcase your particular skills and demonstrate program learning outcomes. Completed projects are included in the final portfolio and submitted to a panel of faculty for review during your final term.

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MS in Information Systems

The online Master of Science in Information Systems program meets the same high academic standards as Syracuse University’s on-campus program. The curriculum is 36 credits and can be completed in as few as 18 months. The curriculum is structured as follows:

Primary Coursework – 12 Credits

Build the foundational knowledge and skills upon which advanced courses are based.

Electives – 12 Credits

Students must select 4 courses from the following list:

In addition, you can take up to 6 elective credits from other schools at Syracuse University, such as the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. Please note that any course not selected for the Secondary Core may be taken as an elective. A single course may not be counted toward more than one single curriculum requirement.

Free Electives – 6 Credits

To allow students to study in an area of interest such as Data Analytics, Cloud, Information Security, Management, Advertising, Law, Government, Healthcare etc., students are allowed to select 2 additional courses:

  • Any IST courses 600-level of higher OR
  • Any Non-IST Graduate-level course, filed by petition

Exit Requirement – Portfolio Milestone

Students register for IST 755, the MSIS Capstone course, after the successful completion of IST 614 and at least 24 credits in the degree program. Students register for IST 765, the MSIS Research Capstone course, after the successful completion of IST 614, IST 671, and at least 24 credits in the degree program. IST 765 is intended for students who wish to complete a research project in the area of expertise digital transformation, under faculty supervision, and in place of IST 755. Students register for IST 971 halfway through their program of study. Students with one or more years of full-time professional experience in the information technology field may substitute the internship requirement for another three-credit course from the list of electives and must follow the iSchool petition process for approval.

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MS in Information Systems for Executives

If you have three or more years of full-time professional experience in the information management field with a record of continuously increasing job responsibilities, we offer a 30-credit program for executives that can be completed in 15 months. The curriculum is structured as follows:

Primary Coursework – 9 Credits

Choose 9 credits from the lists below, selecting all credits from one track, or from a mix of both.

Management Strategies and Users Track
Technological Infrastructure Track

Secondary Coursework – 9 Credits

Choose 9 credits from the lists below, selecting all credits from one track, or from a mix of all four.

Data Science Track
Information Security Track
Policy and User Track
Systems Solutions Track

Electives – 9 Credits

All graduate-level iSchool courses are acceptable electives toward the MS in Information Systems for Executives program. Every semester, the iSchool offers “Selected Topics” courses, listed as IST 600 or IST 700, that can count toward the program. These courses are offered based on sufficient interest in a topic and not covered by standard curriculum, but are of interest to faculty and students in a particular semester.

In addition, you can take up to 6 elective credits from other schools at Syracuse University, such as the Whitman School of Management. Please note that any course not selected for the secondary core may be taken as an elective. A single course may not be counted toward more than one single curriculum requirement.

Exit Requirement

The exit requirement for the Master of Science in Information Systems for Executives degree is IST 755, the Capstone course.

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MS in Library and Information Science

The 36-credit LIS curriculum is designed to prepare librarians who have the broad range of knowledge and skills needed for exemplary practice in the library and information profession. Students in the School Media specialization should consult the School Media specific curriculum. The curriculum is structured as follows:

Primary Coursework – 15 Credits

LIS core courses provide a solid grounding in the knowledge, skills, and values of the library and information profession. The 18- credit LIS core has three parts:

Introductory Core (3 Credits): 

Information Resource Core (9 Credits): 

Management Core (3 Credits): 

Electives – 18 Credits

The 18 credits of electives allows students to extend their core knowledge and skills in directions of their choice. Students can select from graduate-level courses in the iSchool, including those from the MS Information Systems or MS Applied Data Science programs. In selecting courses that are not LIS-focused, students should consult with their faculty advisor to ensure their appropriateness and consider how the electives will add to their knowledge and skill set as an emerging professional.

Professional Pathways

Six professional pathways are offered to allow you to align your coursework to your professional goals. To learn more about each pathway and how they may match your career goals, visit our professional pathway page.

Exit Requirement – 3 Credits

IST 773 should be taken in the final term of the MSLIS program. This course is intended to facilitate a holistic, comprehensive, and reflective demonstration of the competencies students have learned in the program by allowing them to reflect on their body of work and make explicit connections among coursework and experience.

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MS in Library and Information Science: School Media

The online Master of Science in Library and Information Science: School Media program meets the same high academic standards as Syracuse University’s on-campus programs. The curriculum is 36 credits and can be completed in as few as 18 months. The curriculum is structured as follows:

Primary Coursework – 15 Credits

Build foundation knowledge in introductory concepts, information resources, and management and policy.

Introductory Course (3 Credits)

Information Resource and Service Courses (9 Credits)

Management Course (3 Credits)

School Media Specific Coursework – 15 Credits

*Not required for certified teachers who may take extra elective

Electives – 3 Credits

Approved Courses from School of Education:

Others with Program Director’s Approval

Exit Requirement – 3 Credits

The exit requirements for the Master of Science in Library and Information Science: School Media degree include fieldwork and the School Media Practicum.

  • Fieldwork – complete a total of 100 (non-credit) hours of fieldwork in elementary and secondary school libraries before their practicum experience. A minimum of 15 hours must be spent working with students with special needs.
  • IST 972: School Media Practicum – Completed after fieldwork, the 3-credit required practicum consists of 240 hours of fully supervised school-based library experiences at the elementary and secondary levels (120 hours in each).
  • As of May 31, 2023 LIS:SM students that have either 1) completed a New York State registered teacher preparation program prior to enrollment and hold an Initial and/or Professional teacher certificate, (2) hold National Board certification, or (3) have at least one year of effective teaching experience under a valid New York State or out-of-state teaching license or certificate are required to complete 50 hours of student teaching or practica at either the elementary or secondary level.