College of Information Studies

About the school

The University of Maryland - College of Information Studies is a top-ranked research and teaching college in information science. At the College of Information Studies (INFO), students are expanding the frontiers of how information and technology are accessed and used in a rapidly evolving world and creating exciting new possibilities. The institute combines information science principles with cutting-edge technology to foster access to information, improve information interfaces, and expand how information is used. The objective is to connect communities, empower individuals, and create opportunities. College of Information Studies is minutes from DC, with 2200+ students from 52 countries. The school comprises cognitive scientists, computational scientists and engineers, designers, humanities scholars, library and information scientists, and social scientists.

Where is the school located?

INFO is located in Baltimore, Maryland. The location details are as follows:

Life at College of Information Studies

Students can choose from hundreds of organisations, service opportunities, and social activities. There are over 800 student organisations on campus which offer many ways for students to get involved and gain skills such as leadership development, social responsibility, service learning, civic engagement, and multicultural competence. A point of pride among the campus community is the connection and engagement fostered among students, and the broader campus community. The Adele H. Stamp Student Union - Centre for Campus Life is the home of student organisations and a great place for students to connect. Leadership and Community Service Learning (LCSL), located on The Stamp's Ground Floor, promotes social change and learning through community engagement. Other organisations like the Student Government Association, the Graduate Student Government, and the Residence Hall Association also help students make a difference on campus.

Additional benefits of studying at College of Information Studies

• Active Campus Life: The institute provides diverse housing options. Students at the University of Maryland can choose to live on campus, off-campus in the immediate College Park area, or elsewhere in the region. The school offers an exceptional student experience with diversity, leadership and campus involvement, an active fraternity and sorority life, as well as campus employment opportunities. There are various health and wellness support and resources programmes available for students.
• Inclusive Community: The University of Maryland (UMD) is dedicated to maintaining a vibrant international student community. As such, the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is a valuable information resource and provides assistance for prospective and current international students.

Admissions criteria

There are various Master’s Programmes at INFO that prepare tomorrow’s thought leaders in applications of information and technology for social good. Admission to the INFO College’s graduate programmes is through the University of Maryland Graduate School, with supplemental programme-specific application criteria and materials as described below. Application procedure - The University of Maryland’s Graduate School accepts applications through its ApplyYourself application system - Completed applications are reviewed by an admissions committee in each graduate degree programme, after which the recommendations of the admissions committee are submitted to the Dean of the Graduate School, who will make the final admission decision. - Students must complete the UMD Graduate School application - Upload unofficial transcripts initially and submit official transcripts upon admission and enrollment - Applicants must have earned a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent degree from a non-U.S. institution - Applicants must have earned a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all prior undergraduate and graduate coursework - Provide a Statement of Purpose describing experiences and interests - Submit the names and e-mail addresses of three academic or professional references. - Upload a current resume or CV - GRE scores are optional for both domestic and international applicants. - Students will be required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores if they do not hold a degree from a U.S. institution or one of the English-speaking countries - The UMD Graduate School offers admission to international students based on academic information; however, it is not a guarantee of attendance

Job placements

On-campus Employment Opportunities: Campus employment is an excellent way to gain work experience, make new friends and connections with staff, and earn some money. Students can get an internship or part-time work and gain valuable workplace skills from the many opportunities available on campus, and in the local and regional community. The Division of Students Affairs is proud to employ over 1,200 students in positions across 16 departments. - Exciting Career Prospects: The University of Maryland - College of Information Studies graduates work at top organisations such as IBM, Google, the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, the Smithsonian Institution, the CIA, IMF, Discovery Channel, National Agricultural Library, New York Times, and National Geographic. A hundred percent of alumni have received offers from prestigious academic and research institutions. - Convenient Career Guidance: Students have access to the following career services: Career Resources Info career counselling with resume review, tips for promoting yourself, and test your technology before online interviews. Terrapins Connect is UMD’s virtual platform to connect Terps from across the world with one another for mentoring, networking, and professional opportunities. Tutorialspoint offers easy-to-follow tutorials on fundamental programming and Computer Science concepts topics, which you can learn in hours and be an expert amongst your peers. It focuses on Java, SQL, Python, C++, Android, and more classes. Lynda.com is an online education company offering thousands of video courses in software, creativity, and business skills. Students can subscribe to the Community Discussion Email Listserv and network in the DC Metro Area to get involved in a community of like-minded peers and turn insights into action. - Academic and Professional Opportunities: There are many opportunities available to graduate students, including: all INFO graduate programmes have a field study or internship component. The University of Maryland Libraries Research and Teaching Fellowship prepares MLIS graduate students to enter a competitive academic job market. The University Career Centre can help students find jobs and internships through the Handshake platform. This platform also offers career advising, workshops, and more.