4+1 Information Technology and Informatics / Master of Information Program

Why the 4+1 Program?

IT & Informatics majors who have completed 90 credits may apply to earn an IT & Informatics bachelor’s degree and a Master of Information (MI) degree in five years of continuous study. If accepted, you will:

• Take 12 Master of Information graduate credits during your senior year
• Save up to a year of graduate tuition
• Maintain continuity with faculty, resources, and research facilities
• Gain a competitive edge in the marketplace
• Increase your earning potential

How the Pathway Plan Works

If you are accepted into the 4+1 program, you will be considered an undergraduate student taking master's-level courses, which will count toward general electives or 400-level IT & Informatics electives in your senior year. You must still complete all undergraduate degree requirements. 

Upon graduating with your bachelor’s degree, you will transition into the master’s program and follow graduate student policies and requirements.

Admissions Requirements and Process

Interested students should apply during their junior year to the Master of Information 4+1 program (dual degree option) through Graduate Admissions.

To be considered, you must:

• Have and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above
• Submit a personal statement of approximately 750 words addressing your professional goals and how the MI degree will support your progress toward these goals
• Complete 90 credits by the end of your sixth semester
• Submit an official copy of your transcript
• Submit one letter of recommendation from a professor in your major
• Submit your résumé/CV

Submitting Your Application

Select the following when you are completing the Program Information portion of the application:

You must apply for the term immediately following your anticipated undergraduate graduation term. You will remain coded as an undergraduate student during your senior year. If admitted, you will receive special permission numbers from the Office of Student Services to register for MI courses.

Example Application Timeline:

* Graduate students are not required to take summer courses. May graduates may apply for summer or fall admission. 

Grading in the 4+1 Program

• Graduate course grades are: A, B+, B, C+, C, F, or pass/no credit (no D grades).
• Graduate grades count toward your GPA just like undergraduate grades. 
• Only two grades of C may count toward the MI degree. Grades of C+ or C are considered a red flag and can result in probation.
• If both C grades are earned while still an undergraduate, no further C grades can be applied once you matriculate as a graduate student. 
• Earning an F in an MI course as an undergraduate may disqualify you from continuing in the program. Successfully completed MI courses will still count toward undergraduate IT and Informatics elective credits. 
• Disqualified students will have their graduate application status changed to the traditional MI program.
• Once fully matriculated in the MI program, students are held to the same academic standards as all SC&I master’s students.