Information Science & Technology, BS + MS (Accelerated) – Online BS, MS
If you’re an IT professional looking to advance or change your career or you want to start your IT journey, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s online Bachelor of Science in Information Science & Technology (BSIST) + Master of Science in Information Science & Technology (MSIST) accelerated program offers a streamlined path to earn your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just five years.
The School of Information Studies’ curriculum equips you with essential skills in data science, information security and more. You’ll master managing complex data sets in digital applications and learn techniques for safeguarding captured, stored and analyzed data.
Start Dates: Fall, Spring or Summer
Cost per Credit: BSIST = $392 | MSIST = $800
Credit Hours: BSIST = 120 | MSIST = 24
*Total cost will vary based on the number of credits transferred into UWM.
Program Type
Accelerated Graduate
Program Format
Online
Why Study Information Science and Technology at UWM?
- Learn from wherever you are with online coursework taught by the same professors who provide in-person instruction.
- Pay undergraduate tuition for your first six graduate credits, reducing the overall cost of your IST accelerated degree.
- Start your master’s coursework in your senior year to earn your bachelor’s and master’s in information science and technology more quickly.
The online accelerated IST degree helps you save on costs by allowing you to pay undergraduate tuition rates for your first six MSIST credits. Contact the Office of Student Financial Services for more information about paying for your bachelor’s and master’s in information science and technology.
Scholarship opportunities may increase with academic standing. Explore the Panther Scholarship Portal regularly as you make progress on your certificate.
To be eligible for UWM’s online accelerated IST degree, you must:
- Currently be enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Technology degree.
- Have a 2.75 cumulative GPA or higher.
- Be in progress to complete 105 bachelor’s credits prior to your first term as a graduate student.
- Demonstrate IT experience (Ex: INFOST 408, INFOST 495 or professional IT experience).
How to Apply
Take the following steps to get started with your IST accelerated degree:
- Complete the IST Accelerated Master’s Degree Interest Form. You may declare your intent to enroll in the accelerated program as an incoming freshman, continuing UWM student or transfer student.
- Schedule a meeting with your undergraduate advisor to determine your eligibility for the accelerated program and to discuss coursework and timeline.
- Register for two graduate-level courses (six credits) when you have reached senior status within your BS program. To earn graduate credit for these courses, you must register in the graduate section of the course and meet all graduate-level and grade requirements for the course.
At the beginning of your last undergraduate semester, you will formally apply to the Graduate School. Apply by Nov. 1 to begin in the spring or April 1 for the fall.
The IST accelerated degree curriculum is designed to fast-track your education while providing a comprehensive, high-quality learning experience.
You’ll complete six graduate credits as part of your BSIST degree, effectively shortening your MSIST degree to 24 credits. You can either continue your MSIST studies immediately after finishing your bachelor’s degree or defer your start date for up to five years.
Holding both a bachelor’s and master’s in information science and technology means you’ll have the experience needed for careers that implement data science, information security, IT tools and more. Prepare to be a leader in the industry.
Graduates of the program have earned advanced roles across various organizations. These include:
- Assistant Director of Software Engineering, Northwestern Mutual
- Business Growth Consultant, Fresh Coast Labs
- Cyber Security Analyst, Douglas Dynamics
- Director of IT, Wisconsin Club
- Information Technology System Analyst, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- IT Service Support Analyst, Marquette University
- IT Support Specialist, IEWC
- Lab Information Systems Analyst, Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin
- Laboratory Operations Analyst II, Tempus Labs
- Programming Analyst, FIS
- Senior Consultant, Booz Allen Hamilton
- Senior Database Engineer, Northwestern Mutual
- Senior Technical Analyst, vcpi, a DAS Health Company
- Senior Model Risk Auditor, Santander