Information Studies (INFS)

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Abstract

How people access, use, and communicate information has become critical to professional success, life-long learning, and even government policies. Information retrieval now is heavily dependent on computer systems, the Internet, and mobile devices. The impact that diverse cultures, emotional affect, and ever-growing digitization of information are now considered important to understand. Given this diverse and complex landscape, students with wide-ranging interests or interdisciplinary experience will be well served by this Ph.D. program.

Students will be admitted with a broad range of degrees. However, it will be required that students who do not have a related Masters degree in Information Studies complete a Masters in the College of Information Studies during their doctoral studies.

Admissions Information

When the completed application forms, resume, research statement and targeted essay, transcripts of all academic work attempted, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, and the letters of recommendation have been received by the College, we will review your application. If the Doctoral Committee needs further information, we will contact you to arrange for a personal interview.

Application Deadlines

	Fall	Spring
Domestic Applicants: U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
Domestic Applicant Deadlines	Applications must be received by December 15 .
International Applicants: Applicants from Outside the U.S. or U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents with Non-U.S. Credentials IMPORTANT:   International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with Non-U.S. Credentials must follow the domestic deadlines above if they are earlier than the deadlines listed below.
Applicants seeking admission under F (Student) or J (Exchange Visitor) visas	February 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Feb. 1	June 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
Applicants seeking admission under A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants	May 1 If Domestic Deadline is after May 1	October 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials	May 15 If Domestic Deadline is after May 15	October 31 If Domestic Deadline is after Oct.31

Application Requirements

1. Transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work
2. Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
3. Three Letters of Recommendation
4. Statement of Research Interests
5. Targeted Essay
6. Resume

Degree Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Students must complete a minimum of 25 graduate credit hours while matriculated at the University of Maryland (or 28 hours if basic statistics is taken as a graduate course). Course work will be taken in three areas of study which include: Information Studies (6 credit hours), Research Methods and Design (10 credit hours), and specialized area(s) (9 credit hours).

The student will have a First Year Review the first full academic year that a student takes his/her first doctoral seminar. The student will prepare a portfolio which is a self-evaluation of their progress. This may include papers written for coursework or research, a presentation on a research topic, and/or reviews by previous course instructors. A committee comprised of at least three faculty members, a majority of whom must be members of the the College's faculty, will review the work and inform the student in writing of the results.

Students will not take comprehensive exams, but instead write an Integrative Paper that synthesizes and applies knowledge from broad areas of the information field. A committee comprised of at least three faculty members, a majority of whom must be members of the College's faculty, approves the topic and abstract of the paper, and certifies its successful completion. The paper will typically be written after completion of coursework or equivalent experience (e.g., extensive work in a research environment) and must be completed and approved before advancement to candidacy.

The student will successfully defend a dissertation.

Option: the college will assist a Ph.D. student who is interested in attaining teaching experience through teaching internships at the university, in appropriate College of Information Studies' venues, or at other institutions.

Facilities and Special Resources

Special computing labs with a variety of general purpose and specialized hardware and software are operated by the College; in addition, students use numerous other labs on campus. The Instructional Development and Support Center is a nonprint media facility with equipment, materials, instruction, and individual assistance in all phases of audiovisual production and use.

Faculty and students participate in cooperative research with staff of the University libraries, the Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory, and other campus units. Students have access through cooperative arrangements and programs to the resources of Archives II, the National Agricultural Library, the Library of Congress, and other prominent research facilities.

Financial Assistance

Information on the availability of financial aid may be requested from the Student Services Office, College of Information Studies.

Contact Information

For specific information on the academic programs available in the College of Information Studies, admission procedures, or financial aid, contact:

Director of Student Services
4110 Hornbake Building
South Wing
University of Maryland
College Park
MD  20740
Telephone: 301-405-2038
Fax: 301-314-9145
ischooladmission@umd.edu

http://www.ischool.umd.edu

Courses: