Graduate Catalog: Information Sciences Program

Overview || Program Options || Program of Study

Director: Michael Mirabito, Ph.D.

 

Overview

The Marywood University Information Sciences (IS) program will prepare you for an exciting and challenging career in the growing field of information sciences. In the age of the information superhighway and multimedia technology, the talents of skilled information professionals are in high demand. Organizations in business, education, science, government, and industry increasingly depend on specialists who can connect people and knowledge, including librarians, communications officers, and e-business managers.

The IS program includes flexible options to meet your educational and professional goals. These include:

• An M.S. degree
• Advanced certificates to enhance your technology skills
• A Pennsylvania Department of Education certification in Library Science or Instructional Technology.

 

Marywood’s program in Information Sciences will provide the training and knowledge you need. Depending on the degree or certificate you choose, you will be prepared for a wide variety of career options including:

• Video production
• Web site design and maintenance
• E-commerce design and management
• PDE certification in Library/Information Science or Instructional Technology
• Information management in the healthcare industry

 

Program Options

The Information Sciences program offers three program options:

Option 1. M.S. degree in Information Sciences. The accredited graduate degree requires 39 credits, including the core curriculum (21 credits) and a single specialized track (18 credits). The core curriculum is designed to provide the knowledge and skills that cut across the information technology spectrum; the specialized track enables concentration in one focused area.

Option 2. Obtain a certificate in a specialized track. A certificate is ideal for working professionals who want to upgrade their technology or business skills for their current position or in preparation for a career change. You receive a certificate for completing the courses in one of the specialized tracks.

Option 3. K-12 Library Science or Instructional Technology Certification. These certifications are Pennsylvania Department of Education approved courses of study designed to prepare individuals to work in a K-12 academic environment.

Option 1 (M.S. degree)

If you pursue the M.S., you will, as stated, complete a core curriculum as well as a track or concentration area. The tracks are:

Corporate Communication: Train to work in a corporate environment, including applications in marketing, Web-based content development, public relations, and multimedia-video production.

E-business: Learn the technology and business skills you need for a challenging career in the world of online business including electronic commerce, e-banking, Web site development, HTML programming, and more.

Health Communication: The Health Communication track will prepare individuals to work in the health field. Students will learn how to communicate to diverse client groups about a variety of health topics. Potential employers and media outlets include hospitals, medical clinics, television stations and the Internet. This track also has a unique characteristic; students will be introduced to traditional and alternative medical practices, that is, integrative medicine.

Instructional Technology: Master multimedia instructional tools and technologies (Web-based, video, multimedia, CD-ROM) used in instructional design in schools, higher education, and corporate training. This specialization is designed to meet Pennsylvania Department of Education standards for certification as a K-12 Instructional Technology Specialist. (Only available for certification.)

Library/Information Science: Acquire the knowledge and technology skills needed to manage information flow in a variety of information-based careers at educational institutions, libraries, government agencies, research-based organizations, legal firms, and more. This specialization is designed to meet Pennsylvania Department of Education standards for certification as a K-12 school librarian.

Option 2 (Certificate)

If you do not want to pursue the M.S., but want to enhance your background and experience, you can complete a certificate in any of the 4 tracks.

Please note: Upon the completion of a track, you can elect to complete the M.S. All the credits completed for the certificate will be counted toward the M.S. degree. You must, however, meet the admission requirements for the M.S. degree program to be considered a candidate.

Option 3 (Certification)

The certification program is particularly valuable for individuals with teaching experience who want to pursue a new career path.

If you do not have teaching experience, the Information Sciences program offers certification tracks to prepare you to work in the K-12 market. Library Science/ Information students who choose this option can also receive an M.S. with the completion of the certification and core courses.

Certification is offered in:

K-12 Instructional Technologist

K-12 Library Science

Please note: Upon the completion of a certification, you can elect to complete the M.S. All the credits completed for the certification will be counted toward the M.S. degree. You must, however, meet the admission requirements for the M.S. degree program to be considered a candidate.

Program of Study: Specific Information

I. The Interdisciplinary Core (21 credits)

BUS/COMM 509	Leadership in an Information Society and Economy	3
BUS 510/MED 515/LS 503	Management Role of the Informational Professional	3
COMM 501	New Communications Technologies: Theory and Practice	3
LS 502	Issues and Trends in a Cross-Disciplinary Information Environment	3
MED 516	E-learning Systems	3
Elective		3
BUS 595/COMM 595/MED 591	Internship	3

II. The Tracks (18 credits)

The Corporate Communication Specialization

COMM 502	Professional Writing	3
COMM 535	PC-Based Media Production	3
COMM 561	Media Management	3
EDUC 554	Learning Theory	3
MED 524	Instructional Design: Theory and Applications	3
Elective		3

The E-business Specialization

BUS 511	E-business Strategy	3
BUS 512	Applications of Accounting/Financial Concepts to e-Business	3
BUS 513	E-business Marketing	3
BUS 514	E-business Systems Design/Analysis	3
Business Elective		3
Elective		3

The Health Communication Specialization

COMM 520	Health Communication	3
COMM 522	Leadership in Communication	3
COMM 561	Media Management	3
HSA 524	Health Care System Analysis	3
HSA 540	Complementary Healthcare	3
Elective		3

The Instructional Technology Specialization – certification only

The Library / Information Science Specialization

LS 505	Meeting Information Needs & Services through Instructional Collaboration	3
LS 507	Building K-12 Multimedia Collections	3
LS 509	Cataloging, Classification, and Collection Management in an Electronic Age	3
LS 515	Seminar	1.5
LS 520	Practicum.	3
OR
LS 591	Librarian Internship	6
EDUC 511	Children’s Literature	1.5
Elective		3

Please Note:

1. For the M.S., you complete the core and one of the five tracks.
2. For a certificate, you complete one of the five tracks
3. For certification requirements, please contact the Education Department or Marywood’s Certification Officer. Either individual can provide you with detailed information, including a course listing.

 

Information Sciences Program Courses