University of Washington Information School


The Information School is the information school of the University of Washington, a public research university in Seattle, Washington. Formerly the Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences since 1984, the Information School changed its focus and name in 2001.
The school offers undergraduate and graduate programs, including a BS in Informatics, a Master of Library Science MLIS degree, a Master of Science in Information Management, a Museology MA, and a PhD in Information Science.
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History

In 1911, it was a library school founded by Harriet Howe, Josephine Meissner, William E. Henry and Charles W. Smith, established in response to a growing need in the Western United States for highly trained, well-prepared librarians. Prior to 1911, librarians in the Pacific Northwest were trained through a six-week summer course offered at the University of Washington.
Name changes include: Department of Library Economy; Library School; Department of Library Science in the Graduate School; School of Librarianship; and Graduate School of Library and Information Science. Finally, in 2001, the school was renamed the Information School, becoming the newest independent school at the University of Washington.
Dean Emeritus Michael Eisenberg said, “I want to bring together many of the best things that are going on at the UW, as well as introducing some new things. Information science is a discipline that studies the organization, management, processing and use of information by people in every possible environment. We also plan to take advantage of the leading role that Northwest companies are playing in this transformation. Our students will be trained to make important contributions to society. And our discipline also will be working closely with other campus departments. I believe there is a void in information technology—the ability to apply technology to various fields, as it can be done by an information professional.”
The Information School introduced several new continuing education certificate programs and degree programs in 2000 in response to changes in how people create, store, find, manipulate and share information. Under the leadership of Professor and Dean Emeritus Michael Eisenberg, the Information School introduced the Bachelor of Science in Informatics, online Master of Library and Information Science, Master of Science in Information Management, and Ph.D. in Information Science. In 2023, under the leadership of Professor and Dean Anind Dey, the University of Washington Museology program became a part of the Information School, adding an additional degree option with the MA in Museology.

Directors and deans

  1. 1914-1931 William E. Henry
  2. 1931-1945 Ruth Worden
  3. 1945-1950 Robert L. Gitler
  4. 1950-1955 Gladys Boughton
  5. 1955-1956 Dorothy Bevis
  6. 1956-1972 Irving Lieberman
  7. 1972-1974 Mae Benne
  8. 1974-1981 Peter Hiatt
  9. 1981-1992 Margaret E. Chisholm
  10. 1992-1993 Edmond Mignon
  11. 1993-1996 Phyllis Van Orden
  12. 1996-1997 Edward Bassett
  13. 1997-1998 Betty Bengtson
  14. 1998-2006 Michael Eisenberg
  15. 2006-2017 Harry Bruce
  16. 2017-2018 Carole Palmer
  17. 2018–present Anind Dey

Curriculum

Bachelor's program

The Information School offers one undergraduate degree: the Bachelor of Science in Informatics. The Informatics program is focused on the design of information systems and services, with particular emphasis on the following focus areas:
The program touches on privacy issues, ethics, and management, as well as design, search engines, web development, and database design. Students study a broad range of areas in the information field, including: information management and technology, information-related research, interactive system design, human-computer interaction, and information science, with a goal of improving user experiences and technology access. The program's curriculum culminates in a design or research capstone project. The Informatics program has the largest enrollment of any program at the iSchool.
Graduates of the Informatics program typically go on to jobs such as:

Informatics minor

In 2017, the Information School added an Informatics minor. The minor complements a variety of majors on campus by offering students an opportunity to learn about data, design, policy, ethics, and code in order to solve information problems. It may be especially helpful to students in the humanities and social sciences who wish to know more about data, code, design, and policy.
The Informatics minor is open. In order to declare the Informatics minor, students need to have declared a major and should contact the advising staff of their major for the appropriate procedures. A minimum of 25 credits. A minimum grade of 2.0 must be earned in each class being used to fulfill the minor requirements.

Master's programs

The Information School offers two master's degrees: the Master of Science in Information Management and the Master of Library and Information Science.

Master of Science in Information Management (MSIM)

The MSIM program takes a multidisciplinary approach to the management of information systems and policy. It draws on computer science, business, information science, philosophy, design, and law to inform its curriculum. The MSIM program is offered residentially on the University of Washington campus and offered online.
Graduates work in a variety of professional areas and positions, including, but not limited to:
  • Information Architect
  • User Experience Designer
  • Data Visualization Specialist
  • Systems Analyst
  • Data Scientist
  • Software Design Engineer
  • Risk Consultant
  • Web Computing Specialist
  • Network Administrator
  • Database Developer
  • Cybersecurity Professional
  • Project Manager

Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS)

The MLIS is the iSchool's oldest degree. It is a professional degree that prepares students for careers in library and information professions. The MLIS program offers two degree options: 1) residential, and 2) online. In 2017 the iSchool's MLIS program was ranked #2 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The program consists of three elements: core courses, electives, and a final degree project. Program requirements are the same for students in the Residential MLIS and Online MLIS programs.
Additionally, the iSchool offers a third MLIS degree—the law librarianship master's program, a degree designed to prepare lawyers to serve as law librarians. The program is designed to take 10 months for full-time students and 22 months for part-time students to complete. The UW iSchool’s law librarianship program provides the highest level of preparation for a career in legal information. The curriculum blends a strong theoretical foundation in the principles of information science with the specialized legal research, technological and operational background they will need to thrive as a law librarian. An accompanying internship allows students to further build their technical skills.

Ph.D. program

The Ph.D. program is a theoretical, research-based doctorate in the field of Information Science. Research areas include:
Ph.D. program alumni have gone on to careers in public sectors and private sectors.

Leadership

The Founding Board offers strategic advice to the dean with a focus on building awareness of and attracting resources to the Information School. The Founding Board also leads fundraising initiatives for the Information School. Anind Dey was named Dean of the Information School in 2017, and serves in this role currently.

Faculty

As of October 2023, the Information School's faculty numbered 79 core members, along with numerous adjunct and affiliated faculty members.
Notable faculty include:

Notable alumni

Student organizations

The Information School offers opportunities for students to participate in professional and student communities. iSchool student groups include:
  • AIMS
  • ALISS UW
  • ARLISNAP
  • ASIS&T
  • DSA
  • Dubhacks
  • Dubstech
  • GPSS
  • iQueeries,
  • ISACA UW
  • IUGA
  • SAA UW
  • SALA
  • SLA
  • SOCLIS
  • Student Leadership Council
  • WINFO

Facilities

The school is in Mary Gates Hall, one of several university buildings bordering Drumheller Fountain. Formerly known as the Physics Building, it was renamed in 1995 after receipt of a $10 million gift from the family of Mary Maxwell Gates. In 1999 a $35 million expansion added updated classrooms and computer labs, office spaces, and commons, transforming the 1928 historic building and 1949 addition into a 175,000-square-foot quadrangle with a skylit commons at its center and a new main entry facing Suzzallo Library. The architects of the original building were John Graham & Company and the architects of record for the 1999 expansion were Bassetti Architects.
The Information School also has offices in the UW Tower and in the Suzzallo-Allen Libraries.