It is possible for an IS track student to complete their degree in 2 years as a full-time student or 3-4 years as a part-time student.
Information Studies Track: Full-time Pathway (2 years)
Information Studies Track: Part-time Pathway (3-4 years)
Online Degree Completion Track in ICT
You know you want to complete your bachelor's degree, but how do you find a program that will help you meet your goals and fit your busy lifestyle?
The Information Communication Technology (ICT) program offers a unique degree completion track in Information Studies for students who want to finish college with a degree and develop skills to work as a technology trainer, information architect, or data specialist. Students in this program track are specially admitted and may complete their bachelor's degree fully online!
About Information Studies:
Information studies track students will learn how information can be created, communicated, stored, and/or transformed to benefit individuals, organizations, and society. In our information based society, teaching students practical skills for analyzing, processing, managing information that will allow them to then create technology-based solutions using a user-centered approach and evaluate the roles of information in a variety of organizational settings is a valuable skill set that is currently sought by employers.
2020-2021 College of Communication and Information ViewBook
Program Benefits:
- Resident tuition for online students
- The IS track can be completed in 2-3 years depending on full-time status (click here for part-time and full-time pathways)
- Asynchronous online courses that allow you the flexibility to plan your class schedule around other priorities
- Students may transfer (60 credit hours) and will complete ICT major requirements, the IS track, and other University requirements completely online
IS Track Curriculum:
Pre-Major Requirements – 3 courses, 9 hours (same across major):
ICT 200 - Information Literacy and Critical Thinking
ICT 201 - Personal Knowledge Management
ICT 202 - Technologies for Information Services
Core Major Requirements – 4 courses, 12 hours (same across major except for GCCR):
ICT 205 – Issues in ICT Policy
ICT 305 – Data Detectives (GCCR)
ICT 301 – Introduction to Databases
ICT 310 – Exploring and Analyzing ICTs: Methodological Approaches*
ICT 399 – Internship and Professional Development in ICT
*Effective for majors declared in Fall 2019 or later.
Information Studies (IS) Track – 6 courses, 18 hours:
This focus area will be 18 hours. Thus, students will need to choose 6 courses from the following list:
ICT 311 – Introduction to Information Science
ICT 315 – Human relations and Technology
ICT 316 – Universal access: information and working environments
ICT 320 – Information architecture
ICT 325 – Multimedia and Technology
ICT 420 – Semantic Web Development
ICT 415 – Technology Training and instructional strategies
Cognate - 5 courses, 15 hours (300+ level), 6 hours:
Students may choose from online courses at the 300+ level that are offered by the University.
Transferred hours - 60 credits
If a student has not fulfilled the UK Core requirements, they should research options at their local community college or explore online options through UK (i.e., CIS 110, CIS 111, ICT 200).
Click here to download a PDF of the IS track flyer and course descriptions.
UK Tuition Refund Policy
Students should familiarize themselves with the University’s refund deadlines and policies available at this site.
Online Information Sessions:
Are you looking for more information about our school and online degree completion program? We regularly host online information sessions and cover topics about the application process, admissions, degree requriements, and more. The information sessions are conducted via Zoom. You will need an internet connection and a working speaker to hear the audio. Click here or the image below to sign up for an upcoming session.
If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please submit the form below:
Academics
Yes. You will need to make sure that you balance your personal and work responsibilities to determine how many hours you can successfully take each semester.
No, there is no difference. You will receive an official University of Kentucky diploma. University of Kentucky's online degree completer track in the information communication technology program carries the same excellence as those earned in a traditional classroom. Graduates will earn a bachelor's degree in information communication technology from the University of Kentucky with an information studies specialization.
We expect you to allocate 10-15 hours per class per week. This will include both individual learning and group collaboration. We expect students in the online degree completion track to participate in the online learning community and to monitor their own schedules. Faculty are available via email or chat.
The information studies online courses are taught asynchronously , meaning that the student can complete their coursework on their own time as long as they follow the course schedule. There is never a specific time that students need to "meet online" for class. While online classes provide flexibility so that you can plan your coursework around your busy schedule, you should be prepared to spend as much time covering the material and interacting with your professor and classmates (real time and via email) as you would in a traditional classroom-based course.
No, but you are always welcome to visit and set up appointments with program faculty.
Admissions
Readmission applicants must submit a UK application for Undergraduate Admission, an official transcript from each college or university attended since enrolled at UK, and a $50 application processing fee.
Students enrolled in only online distance learning courses will be charged the online rate regardless of residency status plus a small distance learning fee.
Full tuition information may be found on the Registrar's website.
Prospective students must transfer the equivalent of two years of college courses, equating to approximately 60 credit hours, before being accepted to this program and the Information Studies track. These courses may come from any regionally-accredited institution. Most community college courses satisfy this requirement. It is preferred that students will have already completed UK Core. If not, students may be able to take courses online through UK or may have to take courses (with pre-approval) at a local community college.
No, an associates degree is not required. Any combination of prior college coursework can be combined to comprise the 60 credits needed.
UK Core prerequisites include:
- 12 hours Intellectual Inquiry (arts and creativity, humanities, social sciences, natural, physical, and mathematical sciences)
- 6 hours Written, Oral, Visual Communication
- 6 hours Quantitative Reasoning
- 6 hours Citizenship
Further detail on UK Core is available here.
You will apply through Undergraduate Admissions as a transfer student by the following deadlines:
Fall: July 15
Spring: October 15
Summer I: April 30
Summer II: May 31
You can find more information here.
Yes. You can apply whenever you are ready. UK has preferred application deadlines for fall, spring, and summer. Here is a link to the UK Application for Undergraduate Admission.
Distance Learning, Supports, and Services
It's important to know how to approach learning in an online degree program. Online classes are not harder nor easier than in-person classes, but they are different due to their asynchronous modality. This means students going into an online degree program should expect to:
a) Check into their Canvas class shells routinely each week (we recommend at least once daily) to receive updates and contribute meaningfully to ongoing discussion boards.
b) Be good time managers: determine when you have time to work on coursework throughout the week and maintain your own "class time" so you don't fall behind or put off assignments until the last minute.
c) Communicate, communicate, communicate: if you are having any trouble, message your peers and/or your instructor right away to ask for help or clarification. Never be afraid to reach out to your instructors or Student Affairs if you need assistance--we have many resources to help you in place, but we need to know your situation to act accordingly on your behalf.
In Canvas (our learning management system where students take their classes), there are a number of helpful tools including a module for new students that walks through all of Canvas' features with videos and and step by step instructions. If you need help accessing that module in Canvas or any resources for online students, you can reach out to infosci [at] uky.edu (Student Affairs).
A variety of academic, technological, and program support is available to students.
- The academic unit, the School of Information Science, where you are enrolled has student services staff who administer aspects of the program. They can answer questions about admissions, registration, and graduation; assist you in choosing courses and making decisions about professional placements; and are the primary resource for any academic-related topic.
- The Office of Distance Education has dedicated support staff who work with you during your course of studies at UK. They can orient you to the online environment, provide information about ordering textbooks, and answer questions about Canvas.
- UK's Information Technology Services (ITS) office provides technical support to the entire UK community, including troubleshooting, providing software and productivity tools.
- The Writing Center can assist in composing and communicating in writing, speaking, and multimedia projects across the curriculum. Graduate student consultants and undergraduate consultants provide individual and group consultations in Face-to-Face and e-Tutoring Consultations on academic assignments and professional projects.
- The Counseling Center provides over the phone telephone consultations with an on-duty counselor. Online screenings and support documents are also available.
Funding and Scholarships
Students are eligible for federally funded student loans through FAFSA and from private sources.
For transfer students only
UK has several scholarship opportunities for transfer students. These are generally based on academic performance and applicants should complete their UK application as soon as possible. More information can be found here.