The School of Information Studies (SOIS) degree programs prepare students for careers in the Information Technology and Library professions. Our academic programs are designed to meet the challenges of the digital world and an ever-expanding information landscape. SOIS graduates are prepared for careers across the spectrum of information, data, and technology.

Bachelor of Science in Information Science & Technology (BSIST)

The Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Technology (BSIST) combines core IT skills like front-end web design, programming and project management, with electives that you choose. The only degree of its kind in the UW System, the BSIST degree provides hands-on experiential learning both in and out of the classroom.  Our extensive network of alumni and corporate connections along with our dedicated career advisor will help set you up for success as you enter the workforce.

Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics

The Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics is a special degree program that includes courses from the College of Letters and Science, the School of Information Studies, and other UWM colleges to provide a solid general education as well as an interdisciplinary approach to data analytics. The BS in Data Analytics at UWM is unique because its goal is to train students to practice data analytics in a field they are most passionate about. Students take foundational classes to build core data analytics skills, then specialize in data analytics for business, health, information science, natural sciences, social sciences, or geographic information sciences.  

Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS)

The Master of Library & Information Science (MLIS) program, accredited by the American Library Association since 1976, prepares librarians and information professionals to manage change in an urbanized, technologically oriented and knowledge-based society. Whether in a public, academic or special library, archive or information center our systematic course of study enables individuals with a strong service orientation to apply principles of library and information science and to leverage current methods and tools.

Master of Science in Information Science & Technology (MSIST)

The Master of Science in Information Science and Technology (MSIST) is a professional graduate degree program for those who seek advanced training to meet the ever-increasing need for information technology (IT) professionals. The MSIST will provide essential skills and knowledge in the following areas:

  • Data science: Provides students with advanced knowledge and skills to manage data sets generated by applications.
  • Information security: Focuses on techniques ensuring the security of all data captured, stored and analyzed through applications.

Doctor of Philosophy in Information Studies (PhD)

The Doctor of Philosophy in Information Studies prepares graduates for academic and professional careers where an in-depth knowledge of research processes and evaluation is needed. The program emphasizes the study of the representation, storage, retrieval, use, and impact of information resources on society. Graduates will contribute to the knowledge base of the discipline and will take on leadership roles as scholars and administrators in the discipline and the profession.

For information on SOIS's degree programs please see the SOIS website.

About the School of Information Studies

The School of Information Studies is committed to shaping the future of library science and information technology by improving the world through innovation and inquiry, connecting humans to the information they use every day.

Our mission is to educate the next generation of library science and information technology professionals by offering a rigorous curriculum that fosters professional knowledge, skills and experiential practice, ethics, critical inquiry and leadership to address the needs of our diverse and global information society. SOIS graduates are prepared not only for the current information and technology services landscape but also for future-ready careers and as-yet-undiscovered environments.

Goals of the school are:

  1. To prepare professionals who are able to provide leadership and adapt to change in a technological and knowledge-based environment for careers in libraries, school media centers, information systems, and related areas, according to accepted professional standards.
  2. To enrich the library and information science profession through recruitment of students with strong academic skills from diverse cultural, geographic, and subject backgrounds.
  3. To enable undergraduate students to achieve qualifications to pursue careers in the information professions through the provision of degree and certificate programs.
  4. To enable students to develop specializations in the information professions at the graduate level through the provision of single and dual degree programs.
  5. To promote a research orientation through participation in the Doctor of Philosophy degree program.
  6. To contribute to the international knowledge base of library and information science through research and publication.
  7. To facilitate the development, provision, and evaluation of library and information services through consultation services to individual organizations and leadership in professional associations locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally.
  8. To offer opportunities for professionals and the wider community to update their skills and knowledge through advanced and continuing education courses, workshops, and programs offered nationally and internationally.
 

Undergraduate

 Graduate

 Doctoral

Graduate Certificates

Requirements for Employment, Licensing, or Professional Organizations

Students should be aware that some professions, occupations, and employers are subject to licensing and/or bonding requirements. When a course of study includes clinical or field training, practice teaching, internships, or the like, students may be subjected to a check of criminal conviction records, prior to acceptance of a student by the placement site. Students are responsible for obtaining the information necessary for them to become knowledgeable about these requirements and plan their studies accordingly. Please contact the appropriate department or program office for further information.

Administration

Dean's Office

Tina Freiburger
Interim Dean

Dietmar Wolfram
Senior Associate Dean & Professor

Chad Zahrt 
Assistant Dean (Student Affairs)

Student Services

Student Service Staff Directory

Administrative Services

Laura Meyer 
Executive Assistant to the Deans

Jessica Russell
Finance Manager

Erica Yewlett
Senior HR Partner

Information Studies Courses

NameRankDegreeSchoolGraduate FacultyEmeritus Faculty
Hyerin Bak Teaching Faculty II PhD Florida State University No No
Johannes Britz Provost, Professor DD, PhD University of Pretoria, South Africa Yes No
Wonchan Choi Associate Professor PhD Florida State University Yes No
J. Dietenberger Senior Lecturer MA University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee No No
Alexandra Dimitroff Associate Professor Emerita PhD No Yes
Donald Force Associate Professor PhD University of British Columbia Yes No
Matt Friedel Senior Lecturer MBA Marquette University No No
Maria Haigh Associate Professor PhD Drexel University Yes No
Shaun Hayes Archives Program Specialist MLIS University of Pittsburgh No No
Susan Hersh Senior Lecturer/School Library Media MLIS University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee No No
Adam Hudson Senior Lecturer/Director Nonprof-IT MLIS University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee No No
Margaret Kipp Associate Professor PhD University of Western Ontario Yes No
Nadine Kozak Associate Professor/Academic Program Lead PhD University of California-San Diego Yes No
Hur-li Lee Associate Professor Emerita PhD Rutgers University No Yes
Wan-Chen Lee Assistant Professor PhD University of Washington Yes No
Tomas Lipinski Professor PhD University of Chicago Yes No
Steven J. Miller Senior Lecturer Emeritus MLIS No Yes
Xiangming Mu Associate Professor PhD University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Yes No
Sarah Beth Nelson Assistant Professor PhD University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Yes No
Hope Olson Professor Emerita PhD No Yes
Wilhelm Peekhaus Associate Professor PhD University of Western Ontario Yes No
Abigail Phillips Assistant Professor PhD Florida State University Yes No
Jacques du Plessis Associate Professor PhD Utah State University Yes No
Shana Ponelis Associate Professor PhD University of Pretoria, South Africa Yes No
Khaled Sabha Senior Lecturer MS University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee No No
Betsy Schoeller Senior Lecturer PhD University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee No No
Judy Senkevitch Associate Professor Emerita PhD Rutgers University No Yes
Lyndsay Smanz Senior Lecturer MLIS University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee No No
Richard Smiraglia Professor Emeritus PhD University of Chicago No Yes
James Sweetland Professor Emeritus No Yes
Dietmar Wolfram Professor Emeritus PhD University of Western Ontario No Yes
Hong (Iris) Xie Professor PhD Rutgers University Yes No
Jin Zhang Professor PhD University of Pittsburgh Yes No