Information Design and Strategy, MS

The Master of Science in Information Design & Strategy requires the completion of 12 courses to obtain a degree. These requirements cover nine core courses, including a capstone or thesis, and three elective courses. A specialization may be declared as part of the application process. There are four specializations: Content Strategy, Communication with Data, Learning Design, and UX/UI. In order to demonstrate ongoing knowledge and skillset growth throughout the IDS program and establish a demonstrable body of work, students, with approval from faculty, will choose one project from each course and their capstone project to place into an ePortfolio. Current students should refer to curriculum requirements in place at the time of entry into the program. Current students can learn more about the ePortfolio program on the ePortfolio module on the IDS Canvas site.

Curriculum

Core Courses (9 units)

Course Title
MS_IDS 401-DLModels and Theories of User-Centered Design
MS_IDS 403-DLEffective Communication
MS_IDS 405-DLUser Research
MS_IDS 407-DLInformation and Content Strategy
MS_IDS 409-DLData Science, Management, and Business Strategy
MS_IDS 411-DLInformation Design and Architecture
MS_IDS 413-DLVisual Communication
MS_IDS 481-DLLeadership and Business Strategy
MS_IDS 498-DLCapstone Project
or MS_IDS 590-DL Thesis Research

Electives (3 units)

Course Title
MS_IDS 422-DLIntroduction to Learning Theory
MS_IDS 423-DLInstructional Design
MS_IDS 425-DLLearning Environment Design
MS_IDS 426-DLEducational Technology
MS_IDS 432-DLStorytelling and Technical Writing
MS_IDS 433-DLSocial Media and Content Curation
MS_IDS 435-DLPersuasion and Strategic Communication
MS_IDS 452-DLIntro to Data Collection and Analytics
MS_IDS 453-DLIntroduction to Techniques of Predictive Analytics
MS_IDS 455-DLVisualization of Data and Text
MS_IDS 462-DLExperience Design
MS_IDS 464-DLInterface Design
MS_IDS 466-DLDesign Systems and Operations

About the Final Project

As their final course, students take either the individual research project in an independent study format (thesis research) or the final project class in which students integrate the knowledge they have gained in the core curriculum in a project presented by the instructor. In both cases, students are guided by faculty in exploring the body of knowledge on information design and strategy while contributing research of practical value to the field. The capstone independent thesis project and capstone class project count as one unit of credit.

Pre-requisite: Students may take one other course simultaneously with MS_IDS 498-DL Capstone Project. All other course requirements must have been completed before the commencement of this course.

Course Title
Choose one
Capstone Project
Thesis Research