Information

Program Overview

The Master of Information (MI) degree program allows students to explore the breadth of information and to focus on one or more areas of study. There is a choice for everyone among seven concentrations, a specialization, coursework-only, co-op, and thesis options.

The Faculty of Information also provides a combined degree program option whereby students may register concurrently in the Master of Information and Master of Museum Studies programs.

​Students who apply by the early application deadline will automatically be considered for entrance awards. The Faculty will continue to accept applications until the final deadline.

The Doctor of Philosophy program in Information provides opportunities for advanced scholarly inquiry into theoretical aspects of information and in the empirical investigations of information in various contexts.

Students may also be interested in the combined degree program in ​​Law, Juris Doctor / Master of Information (JD/MI).

Students may also be interested in the post-master’s Graduate Diploma of Advanced Study in Information Studies.

Quick Facts

Master of Information

Program Description

The MI program allows students to explore the breadth of information and to focus on one or more areas of study. Students may choose one of two pathways to completion:

• Concentration pathway: students choose one or two of eight concentrations and may complete:

  • Concentration(s) only,

  • Concentration(s) plus a thesis, or

  • Concentration(s) plus a co-op (CCO)

• General program pathway: students do not choose a formal concentration and may complete:

  • Coursework only,

  • Coursework plus a thesis, or

  • Coursework plus a co-op

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Application deadlines are available on the Faculty of Information website. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty's additional admission requirements stated below. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

• An appropriate bachelor's degree with at least a B average (3.0 GPA) from a university recognized by the University of Toronto.

• The bachelor's degree must normally contain at least 75% academic credits — that is, courses that are not professional, practical, technical, or vocational. Courses such as studio art, drama or music performance, theology, education, or undergraduate courses in library science are not normally considered to be sufficiently academic in content for admission purposes.

• Applicants who meet current admission requirements and who hold a BLS degree from the University of Toronto, or its equivalent from an approved university, may be admitted to the MI program with advanced standing. Such students may be required to take additional courses if certain requisite instruction is lacking.

• Applicants who have satisfactory standing in an undergraduate program and who have successfully completed information studies graduate courses in programs equivalent to the University of Toronto MI program may also apply for admission with advanced standing. Each application will be evaluated individually. At least 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) towards the MI degree must be taken at the University of Toronto.

• All incoming graduate students must have a good command of English. All applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. This requirement is a condition of admission and must be met before an offer of admission is made. The English language requirement may be satisfied using one of the following tests:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:

    • Paper-based TOEFL exam: 600 with 5.5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

    • Internet-based TOEFL exam: 107/120 with 24/30 on the speaking section and 27/30 on the writing section.

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): a minimum required score of 7.5 overall with 7.5 on the writing section and 7.0 on the speaking section.

  • Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): a minimum required score of 95 overall with 41 on the writing component, 27 on the reading component, and 27 on the listening component.

  • English Language Program, U of T School of Continuing Studies with an overall score of A in Academic English Level 60.

Concentration-Plus-Co-operative Option (CCO)

• To be considered for the CCO, Year 1 full-time MI program students must apply during the first (Fall) session of Year 1. For more information, visit the Faculty of Information website. Acceptance is limited and not guaranteed. Inquiries about the CCO may be emailed to ischool.coop@utoronto.ca.

Program Requirements

• The minimum requirement is completion of 8.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs), regardless of pathway or option therein.

• All students must successfully complete all degree requirements as outlined for either the concentration pathway or for the general program pathway.

Concentration Pathway

• The Faculty of Information offers eight concentrations leading to the MI degree:

  • Archives and Records Management (ARM)

  • Critical Information Policy Studies (CIPS)

  • Culture and Technology (C&T)

  • Human Centred Data Science (HCDS)

  • Information Systems and Design (ISD)

  • Knowledge Management and Information Management (KMIM)

  • Library and Information Science (LIS)

  • User Experience Design (UXD)

• Each concentration requires a total of 8.0 FCEs.

Concentration-Only Option

• Two quarter-weight core courses: INF1005H and INF1006H (0.5 FCE total).

• Four or five required half courses depending on the concentration (2.0 or 2.5 FCEs total, depending on the concentration).

• Plus 10 or 11 additional elective half courses (5.0 or 5.5 FCEs total, depending on the concentration).

Concentration-Plus-Thesis Option

The thesis option allows students to gain experience in developing and executing a research project from beginning to end. Students gain familiarity with the research process and hone their research skills. The thesis option is designed for students who have a clearly defined topic, can find a supervisor, and can meet tight deadlines in order to graduate within the usual time frame envisioned for the degree. Faculty approval is required to enter the thesis option; visit the Faculty of Information website for details. For information about completing a thesis in the General Pathway, please see the General Pathway program requirements below.

• Two quarter-weight core courses: INF1005H and INF1006H (0.5 FCE total).

• Five required half courses (2.5 FCEs total, specific to each concentration). The exception is Library and Information Science, which has four required half courses (2.0 FCEs).

• 0.5 FCE research methods course appropriate to the student's program of study, with a final grade of at least A–.

• 0.5 FCE reading course with the student's intended supervisor, with a final grade of at least A–.

• A thesis (2.0 FCEs total).

• Four additional elective half courses (2.0 FCEs total, specific to each concentration). The exception is Library and Information Science, which requires five additional elective half courses (2.5 FCEs total).

Concentration-Plus-Co-op Option

• Two quarter-weight core courses: INF1005H and INF1006H (0.5 FCE total).

• Five required half courses (2.5 FCEs total, specific to each concentration). The exception is Library and Information Science, which requires four half courses (2.0 FCEs total).

• INF3900H The Emerging Professional (0.5 FCE).

• The two 12-week co-op placement courses: INF3902H and INF3903H (1.0 FCE total).

• Seven additional elective half courses (3.5 FCEs total, specific to each concentration). The exception is Library and Information Science, which requires eight additional elective half courses (4.0 FCEs total.)

Concentration: Archives and Records Management (ARM)

• 0.5 core FCE (INF1005H and 1006H).

• 2.5 required FCEs (INF1003H, INF1330H, INF1331H or INF2186H, INF2175H, and INF2184H).

• 5.0 elective FCEs or
  co-op (1.0 FCE), INF3900H (0.5 FCE), and 3.5 elective FCEs or
  thesis (2.0 FCEs), research methods course (0.5 FCE), and reading course (0.5 FCE) plus 2.0 elective FCEs.

Concentration: Critical Information Policy Studies (CIPS)

• 0.5 core FCE (INF1005H and 1006H).

• 2.5 required FCEs (INF1001H, INF2181H, INF2240H, INF2242H, and INF2243H).

• 5.0 elective FCEs or
  co-op (1.0 FCE), INF3900H (0.5 FCE), and 3.5 elective FCEs or
  thesis (2.0 FCEs), research methods course (0.5 FCE), and reading course (0.5 FCE) plus 2.0 elective FCEs.

Concentration: Culture and Technology (C&T)

• 0.5 core FCE (INF1005H and 1006H).

• 2.5 required FCEs (INF1501H, INF1502H, INF2241H, either INF2320H or INF2331H, and INF2243H).

• 5.0 elective FCEs or
  co-op (1.0 FCE), INF3900H (0.5 FCE), and 3.5 elective FCEs or
  thesis (2.0 FCEs), research methods course (0.5 FCE), and reading course (0.5 FCE) plus 2.0 elective FCEs.

Concentration: Human Centred Data Science (HCDS)

• 0.5 core FCE (INF1005H and 1006H).

• 2.5 required FCEs (INF1340H, INF1344H, INF2178H, INF2190H, and INF2210H).

• 5.0 elective FCEs or
  co-op (1.0 FCE), INF3900H (0.5 FCE), and 3.5 elective FCEs or
  thesis (2.0 FCEs), research methods course (0.5 FCE), and reading course (0.5 FCE) plus 2.0 elective FCEs.

Concentration: Information Systems and Design (ISD)

• 0.5 core FCE (INF1005H and 1006H).

• 2.5 required FCEs (INF1339H, INF1341H, INF1342H, INF1343H, and INF2177H).

• 5.0 elective FCEs or
  co-op (1.0 FCE), INF3900H (0.5 FCE), and 3.5 elective FCEs or
  thesis (2.0 FCEs), research methods course (0.5 FCE), and reading course (0.5 FCE) plus 2.0 elective FCEs.

Concentration: Knowledge Management and Information Management (KMIM)

• 0.5 core FCE (INF1005H and 1006H).

• 2.5 required FCEs (INF1003H, INF1230H, INF2175H, INF2176H, and INF2186H).

• 5.0 elective FCEs or
  co-op (1.0 FCE), INF3900H (0.5 FCE), and 3.5 elective FCEs or
  thesis (2.0 FCEs), research methods course (0.5 FCE), and reading course (0.5 FCE) plus 2.0 elective FCEs.

Concentration: Library and Information Science (LIS)

• 0.5 core FCE (INF1005H and 1006H).

• 2.0 required FCEs (INF1321H, INF1322H, INF1323H, and INF1324H).

• 5.5 elective FCEs or
  co-op (1.0 FCE), INF3900H (0.5 FCE), and 4.0 elective FCEs or
  thesis (2.0 FCEs), research methods course (0.5 FCE), and reading course (0.5 FCE) plus 2.5 elective FCEs.

Concentration: User Experience Design (UXD)

• 0.5 core FCE (INF1005H and 1006H).

• 2.5 required FCEs (INF1602H, INF2169H, INF2170H, INF2191H, and INF2192H).

• 5.0 elective FCEs or
  co-op (1.0 FCE), INF3900H (0.5 FCE), and 3.5 elective FCEs or
  thesis (2.0 FCEs), research methods course (0.5 FCE), and reading course (0.5 FCE) plus 2.0 elective FCEs.

General Program Pathway (No Concentrations)

Coursework Option

Students choosing the coursework option must have their program of study approved by the Program Director.

• Two quarter-weight core courses: INF1005H and INF1006H (0.5 FCE total).

• Three required half courses: INF1001H, INF1003H, and INF1240H (1.5 FCEs total).

• 6.0 elective FCEs.

Thesis Option

Faculty approval is required to enter the thesis option. Visit the Faculty of Information website for details.

• Two quarter-weight core courses: INF1005H and INF1006H (0.5 FCE total).

• Three required half courses: INF1001H, INF1003H, and INF1240H (1.5 FCE total).

• 0.5 required FCE consisting of one research methods half course appropriate to the student's program of study, with a final grade of at least A–. INF1240H can be used to meet this requirement.

• 0.5 required FCE reading course with the student’s intended supervisor, with a final grade of at least A–.

• A thesis (2.0 FCEs).

• Six elective half courses (3.0 FCEs) or
  seven elective half courses (3.5 FCEs) if INF1240H has been completed and counted toward the research methods half-course requirement

  • These courses may include up to 2.0 FCEs taken outside the MI program.

Program Length

4 sessions (2 years) full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/F/W);
CCO: 6 sessions (2 years) full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S);
11 sessions (5.5 years) part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time

Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

The PhD program in Information provides opportunities for advanced scholarly inquiry into theoretical aspects of information and in the empirical investigations of information in various contexts.

PhD students come from different backgrounds and with different areas of interest. Therefore, the curriculum both fosters a common conversation about the field of information and supports the development of individual (even idiosyncratic) research projects. The focus of the program is to enable the student to achieve competence in order to carry out the research and writing of an original thesis in information.

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Information's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Average of at least A– in an appropriate master's degree program, or equivalent. Equivalency is normally determined by the number of courses and/or credits taken. Applicants holding an MLS or other master's degree earned in two or three sessions, or by completing 5.0 to 7.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs), will normally be required to take additional courses in the MI program.

• Admission is limited to graduates of high intellectual ability who have an interest in research. Evaluation of applicants is based on academic records, a statement of research interest, and three academic letters of reference. A personal interview may be requested.

• All incoming graduate students must have a good command of English. All applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. This requirement is a condition of admission and must be met before an offer of admission is made. The English language requirement may be satisfied using one of the following tests. Scores must be from tests taken within the last two years.

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:

    • Paper-based TOEFL exam: 600 with 5.5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

    • Internet-based TOEFL exam: 107/120 with 24/30 on the speaking section and 27/30 on the writing section.

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): a minimum required score of 7.5 overall with 7.5 on the writing section and 7.0 on the speaking section.

  • Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): a minimum required score of 95 overall with 41 on the writing component, 27 on the reading component, and 27 on the listening component.

  • English Language Program, U of T School of Continuing Studies with an overall score of A in Academic English Level 60.

• Admission procedures are described in the General Regulations section of this calendar.

• Doctoral students are admitted in September.

• Meeting the minimum requirements of the Faculty of Information and the School of Graduate Studies does not guarantee admission.

Program Requirements

To achieve candidacy, students must fulfil the following:

• Students in the Media, Technology, and Culture concentration must complete 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • INF3001H Research in Information: Foundations (0.5 FCE).

  • A methods course (0.5 FCE): INF3012H Social Scientific Methods for Media or INF3014H Cultural Interpretive Methods for Media and Technology. Course selection to be determined in consultation with the student’s research advisor.

  • INF3009H Theory and History of Media Technology (0.5 FCE).

  • INF3010H Power, Media, and Technology (0.5 FCE).

  • 2.0 FCEs in elective courses relevant to media, technology, and culture (see elective list below).

• Students in all other concentrations must complete 4.0 FCEs as follows:

  • INF3001H Research in Information: Foundations (0.5 FCE).

  • A methods course (0.5 FCE): INF3003H Research in Information: Frameworks and Design or a specific methods course to be determined in consultation with the student's research advisor.

  • INF3006Y Major Area Reading Course (1.0 FCE) or two additional electives to be determined in consultation with the research advisor (1.0 FCE).

  • 2.0 FCEs in elective courses.

• Students in all concentrations must:

  • Complete other courses appropriate for the student's research.

  • Pass a qualifying exam.

  • Present and defend a thesis research proposal.

  • Complete a thesis and pass a Doctoral Final Oral Examination.

  • Be regularly registered in the School of Graduate Studies during each year of the program.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

PhD Program (Flexible-Time Option)

Admissions have been administratively suspended.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Information's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Average of at least A– in an appropriate master's degree program, or equivalent. Equivalency is normally determined by the number of courses and/or credits taken. Applicants holding an MLS or other master's degree earned in two or three sessions, or by completing 5.0 to 7.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs), will normally be required to take additional courses in the MI program.

• Admission is limited to graduates of high intellectual ability who have an interest in research. Evaluation of applicants is based on academic records, a statement of research interest, and three academic letters of reference. A personal interview may be requested.

• All incoming graduate students must have a good command of English. All applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. This requirement is a condition of admission and must be met before an offer of admission is made. The English language requirement may be satisfied using one of the following tests. Scores must be from tests taken within the last two years.

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:

    • Paper-based TOEFL exam: 600 with 5.5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

    • Internet-based TOEFL exam: 107/120 with 24/30 on the speaking section and 27/30 on the writing section.

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): a minimum required score of 7.5 overall with 7.5 on the writing section and 7.0 on the speaking section.

  • Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): a minimum required score of 95 overall with 41 on the writing component, 27 on the reading component, and 27 on the listening component.

  • English Language Program, U of T School of Continuing Studies with an overall score of A in Academic English Level 60.

• Admission procedures are described in the General Regulations section of this calendar.

• Doctoral students are admitted in September.

• Meeting the minimum requirements of the Faculty of Information and the School of Graduate Studies does not guarantee admission.

Program Requirements

To achieve candidacy, students must fulfil the following:

• Complete 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • INF3001H Research in Information: Foundations (0.5 FCE).

  • A methods course (0.5 FCE): INF3003H Research in Information: Frameworks and Design or a specific methods course to be determined in consultation with the student's research advisor.

  • INF3006Y Major Area Reading Course (1.0 FCE) or two additional electives to be determined in consultation with the research advisor (1.0 FCE).

  • 2.0 FCEs in elective courses.

• Other courses appropriate for the student's research may also be required

• Pass a qualifying exam.

• Present and defend a thesis research proposal.

• Complete a thesis and pass a Doctoral Final Oral Examination.

• Ensure that they have adequate time on campus to attend classes and to fulfil the academic requirements for an advanced research degree. Students must spend at least two full-time sessions on campus.

Program Length

6 years

Time Limit

8 years