Master of Information Studies (Bilingual)

The School of Information Studies, located in the Faculty of Arts, offers a graduate diploma in Information Management and a Master of Information Studies (MIS).

Full-time or part-time students in the Master of Information Studies (MIS) degree complete six compulsory core courses in their first year of study plus a capstone experience course in their final semester.

The master's program offers three options to complete the units required for the MIS degree. The three options include a course-based option, a thesis option, and a co-op option. Please note that the co-op option is available to full time students only, and that there are a limited number of work placement spots available to SIS students each year. In all cases, a minimum of 25% of the courses must be completed in the second language.

Graduates of the MIS program are prepared to take on many exciting career opportunities as controlled vocabulary specialists, digital curators, information architects, knowledge management analysts, library directors, metadata managers, privacy analysts, records managers and web content managers, to name just a few.

This program is open to graduates in all disciplines, and is offered on a full-time and part-time basis. The program is governed by the academic regulations in effect for graduate studies.

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.

Admission to the graduate programs in Information Studies is governed by the general regulations in effect for graduate studies. Applicants must have a four year bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative average of 70% (B) calculated in accordance with graduate studies guidelines.

All applicants must be able to understand, speak and write proficiently in either English or French and have a passive knowledge (ability to understand the spoken and written word) of the other language. Proof of knowledge of the second language is required. Applicants whose first language is neither English nor French must provide proof of their abilities in both languages. The list of acceptable proofs is indicated in the section of the Academic Regulations in effect for graduate studies. 

In accordance with University of Ottawa policy, students have a right to produce their written work and to answer examination questions in French or in English.

On the recommendation of the Admissions Committee, applicants who have successfully completed information studies units or electives at the master’s or doctoral level prior to admission may receive equivalencies or exemptions for courses in the Information Studies master’s program. Equivalencies may be granted for courses completed as a special student or as part of an incomplete or completed graduate program. To be eligible, the courses must have been completed with a minimum grade of 70% (B), no more than five years prior to admission. A maximum of 25% of the units required for the program can be granted in equivalencies or exemptions.

Applications are evaluated based on the criteria listed in the online application form.

Co-op Option

To be admitted into the co-op option, students must commence the MIS program in the fall term and be enrolled full time. Applications for the co-op option must be received by the end of the first month of the student’s enrollment in the MIS program. Acceptance into the co-op option is offered on a competitive basis and is managed by the Co-op Office. Enquiries should be directed to that office.

Transfer from Graduate Diploma to Master’s

Students enrolled in the graduate diploma program can request to transfer to Master of Information Studies (MIS) in accordance with section II-1.4.2.1 of the Academic Regulations in effect for graduate studies. 

• Apply online through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), by completing form 105.
• Declare all your current and previous postsecondary studies, completed or not, even if they are not related to your application. Failure to do so may lead to the cancellation of your application or the withdrawal of your offer of admission at any time.
• Enter your email address, making sure it is accurate. We will use this address to communicate with you for all matters. Also, check your inbox (and junk mail folder) regularly for messages from the University of Ottawa.
• Pay the application fees for all your admission applications. Applications are forwarded to the University of Ottawa only after fees are paid in full and the payment has cleared. Learn more about application fees.
• Note that OUAC is not part of the University of Ottawa. It handles applications to all Ontario universities and is responsible for transferring your application to our admission office.