Information Architecture and Knowledge Management - M.S. Download to print

The Master of Science in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management consists of three concentrations: Health  Informatics,  Knowledge Management and User Experience Design.

Health Informatics is the science of evaluating, implementing, and utilizing technology to manage all information related to the patient care delivery process: clinical, financial, technological and enterprise-wide. Three major components comprise the health informatics discipline.The Information Systems component focuses on such issues as information systems analysis, design, implementation, management and leadership. The Informatics component is concerned with the study of structure, function and transfer of information, socio-technical aspects of health computing, and human-computer interaction. Lastly, the Information Technology component focuses on computer networks, database and systems administration, security, and programming. The field also draws contributions from computer science, the clinical sciences, social and organizational influences and business practices. Health informatics professionals typically work in managerial, analytical, consultative and executive roles.

The skills and tools required to manage a knowledge organization build upon, but are different from, those required to manage an industrial-era organization. These new skills and tools are found in the emerging domain of Knowledge Management (KM). KM organizations of all types, in all sectors of the economy, face a growing need for knowledge management professionals. In fact, knowledge organizations are created and sustained by KM professionals working side by side with corporate executives, business and subject matter experts. A knowledge organization works smarter at the organizational, the community and the individual level because KM professionals envision and strategically manage the organization's knowledge, design knowledge architectures and build technologies that enable the organization to work smarter, and facilitate KM on a daily basis. Kent State is taking a leadership role in developing standards and competencies that define the field. Students learn best practices from their fellow students, many of whom are also professionals working in KM, and through courses or internships they get real-world, practical experience.

User Experience Designers engage in a variety of design activities that help produce aesthetic interfaces and also help organizations meet business goals. UXD addresses the structural, informational, psychological and emotional aspects of what makes a successful user interface, whether it's Web, mobile, tablet or any other device. At Kent State University, User Experience Design is thought of as a process where students learn, understand, imagine, evaluate and inform. The design team begins by gathering data/information about users, clients, the organizational culture, common tasks and work environments. After sufficient data/information is gathered, the team seeks to understand the context in which the project will be undertaken. This phase is the bridge between data collection and design. Design in the imagine phase involves brainstorming, iterative prototyping and critiquing. The design team needs to constantly evaluate their designs to see if they work in the real world. This may involve usability testing at Kent State's usability lab, eye tracking studies, paper prototyping or heuristic evaluations. The results of design must be communicated to appropriate audiences. This informing process involves giving presentations to clients and stakeholders, report writing and other forms of communication. Graduates of the program will come away with a solid understanding of usability, content strategy, information architecture and user research.

The Master of Science in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management can be part of a dual degree option with any other master's program, including the Master of Library and Information Science (M.L.I.S.).

Official transcript(s), three letters of recommendation, TOEFL or IELTS for international students, goal statement and resume. For more information about graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate Studies website.

A minimum of 36 credit hours is required for the Health Informatics and User Experience Design concentrations. A minimum of 42 credit hours is required for the Knowledge Management concentration. Program plans must be approved by faculty advisors. A three-course, 9-credit core is required of all students. Students in each concentration are encouraged to select elective courses from the other two concentrations.

To complete the Master of Science, students must submit one of these:  A Thesis (6 credits), Master’s Project (3 credits), Capstone Experience (3 credits) or Individual Investigation (3 credits). To be approved, an  Individual Investigation must provide a synthesis of the student's coursework.