What Real-World Tools Will You Develop in the UW MSIM Program?

Demand for information management professionals is soaring as organizations increasingly rely on information technology (IT) infrastructure to support daily operations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment for computer and information systems managers will grow by 17% through 2033, resulting in nearly 60,000 job openings each year. The same agency projects 11% growth in the business intelligence job market and 36% growth for data scientists.

Advancing in the information systems profession requires specialized skills and knowledge. To thrive, you’ll need proficiency in industry-standard tools, programs and processes alongside a familiarity with such emerging technologies and trends as artificial intelligence (AI), automation and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Enrolling in a Master of Science in Information Management (MSIM) program — the University of Washington offers an excellent one — can help you develop the skills and expertise needed to advance your career. An MSIM degree helps students develop a comprehensive understanding of information management in the context of organizations.

This article outlines the specific real-world tools and skills you can learn in the UW MSIM program.

Building a foundation: types of information systems

UW MSIM students learn about specific types of information systems, their purposes and applications, and the tools and programs used along with them, starting in their first quarter (with the core course Foundations of Information Management). Information management systems vary by industry. Some of the most common types of systems: 

• Business intelligence systems function as specialized information management tools that help organizations make informed, data-driven decisions.
• Content management systems facilitate the creation, storage, management and sharing of digital content, such as documents, images, video, websites and blogs.
• Customer relationship management (CRM) systems manage customer interactions, track sales and facilitate communication to improve customer acquisition and retention.
• Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems integrate core business processes such as finance, HR, manufacturing and inventory management, providing a centralized view of operations.
• Human resource management systems manage HR functions like payroll, benefits, recruitment and employee records.
• Supply chain management systems optimize logistics, inventory management and supplier relationships in a supply chain environment.

Understanding and working with data

Data management and analysis skills are critical to a successful information management career. In the UW MSIM core course Data-Driven Organizational Problem-Solving for Information Management Professionals, students practice translating complex business challenges into actionable data-informed solutions. Students also learn the data-gathering and analysis techniques to design insight-driven and innovative systems and products. 

Exploring the ethics of information management

Information leaders must constantly navigate a complex landscape where every decision regarding information has significant social, political, ethical, legal and policy implications. The UW MSIM core course Policy and Ethics in Information Management explores the various issues information professionals face, including professional ethics, privacy, freedom of expression and intellectual property. The course equips students with the tools and knowledge to navigate ethical issues expertly throughout their careers.

Strategic leadership

The UW MSIM curriculum cultivates the strategic leadership skills to direct teams and formulate strategy. The core course Management and Strategic Leadership explores organizational theory and leadership behaviors, including planning, ethical decision-making, motivation, promoting diversity and equity, and organizational structure. 

Specialized skills based on professional interests

Information management spans many areas. By completing three courses in an area of specialization, MSIM students can focus their information management expertise in the area that interests them and aligns with their professional aspirations. MSIM students typically complete 1–2 specializations, depending on their degree track and goals.

Specializations offered by UW include: 

• Artificial Intelligence
• Business Intelligence
• Data Science
• Information Architecture
• Program/Product Management & Consulting
• User Experience

Additional elective courses allow UW students to broaden their learning experience and gain specialized skills, including:

• Cloud computing
• Cybersecurity fundamentals
• Digital transformation
• Foundations of entrepreneurship
• Future of work
• People analytics
• Social media data mining and analysis

Artificial intelligence

The Artificial Intelligence specialization covers technical and nontechnical aspects of this emerging field. The curriculum focuses on:

• acquiring a foundational understanding of AI architecture, including data pipelines, data representation, Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Large Language Models (LLMs)
• developing practical skills in evaluating, implementing and applying AI prototypes, applications, systems and architectures
• mastering design methods, including value-sensitive design, for creating AI systems that are ethical, responsible and aligned with human values
• learning to identify and mitigate risks associated with AI deployment, such as intellectual property threats, ethics and safety concerns

Business intelligence

The Business Intelligence specialization focuses on management skills while also exploring modern analytics and data warehousing toolsets. Students in this specialization learn to:

• harness the power of data to transform organizations, businesses and industries
• interpret data by applying analytical, managerial and foundational technical skills
• design, implement and leverage business intelligence systems
• apply relational database and SQL expertise to dimensional data modeling; extracting, transforming, and loading data (ETL); and online analytical processing (OLAP)
• create and present data visualizations that deliver insights to key stakeholders

Data science 

The Data Science specialization helps students master the theoretical and practical foundations of data science and hone their technical skills. Students learn to:

• leverage frameworks, methodologies and tools to analyze large-scale, noisy data for strategic decisions
• reveal hidden insights in vast data sets that project future trends and anticipate potential security risks
• develop foundational knowledge of key concepts, including exploratory data analysis, statistical inference, supervised and unsupervised machine learning, scaling and distributed computing, and network analysis
• build large-scale neural models for text and images
• critically evaluate data-driven approaches in the context of privacy and equity issues

Information architecture

The Information Architecture specialization focuses on the analysis and design of information structures for organizations and systems, enabling graduates to evaluate existing information systems and design modifications or replacements. Students:

• integrate data across diverse systems to monitor performance
• assess social media and search strategies
• design, implement, and critically evaluate information structures, including taxonomies, ontologies, and metadata schemas for a variety of contexts
• apply user-centered design principles focused on understanding user needs, behaviors, and preferences
• explore information governance, information modeling, and information lifecycle management

Program/product management & consulting

The Program/Product Management & Consulting specialization prepares current and aspiring program and product managers to lead organizations in developing and managing strategic and operational information-related initiatives. Skills covered by this specialization include: 

• project management
• problem-solving and change management
• designing product strategy and roadmaps
• developing compelling value propositions and success metrics
• risk management and mitigation
• strategic analysis

User experience

The User Experience specialization focuses on the design, creation and evaluation of interactive information systems. Students:

• learn to align UX initiatives with organizational objectives, create UX roadmaps, and drive accessible and inclusive user-centered decision-making
• develop skills in planning and conducting user research and usability testing, as well as interpreting research findings 
• create user interfaces and digital experiences that are intuitive, aesthetically pleasing, inclusive, and optimized for usability across various devices and platforms
• master principles of human-computer interaction

Most importantly, an MSIM degree helps students develop a comprehensive understanding of information management in the context of organizations, giving graduates access to relevant knowledge and leadership skills they can draw from at all stages of their careers.

Build skills with real-world experiences and projects

UW MSIM students also have numerous opportunities to hone their skills in real-world environments. Optional opportunities include internships and research projects. However, all MSIM students gain practical experience through the degree requirements. Most MSIM classes center around a team project, requiring peers to work together to develop, plan and present a solution to a business problem, using skills and techniques covered in class. 

In addition to these course-based projects, MSIM students complete a culminating experience depending on their chosen track: Early-Career, Early-Career Accelerated, or Mid-Career.

Early-Career track students complete a multi-term Capstone project that addresses an active challenge from an industry sponsor or faculty researcher. Early-Career Accelerated track students gain hands-on experience through a required 10-week Practicum, for which students choose one of three options: internship, faculty-directed research project or sponsored project. Mid-Career track students build on their existing professional experience throughout the program and can elect to complete an internship, Capstone project or supplemental applied experience.

Next steps: gain the skills you need to advance your career at the University of Washington

To fast-track your career in information management, consider enrolling in the UW’s MSIM program. The skills and real-world experience gained through this master’s degree can qualify you for senior positions and help you stand out in a competitive job market.

Whether you’re interested in the online or residential modality, UW has dedicated advisors for each program; contact an online advisor or contact a residential advisor to explore your options. If you’re ready to take the next step, you can start your application now.