With an ever increasing volume of electronic data at everyone’s fingertips, more and more businesses are seeking employees who are proficient in managing and extracting data efficiently and effectively. To help prepare students for the information demands of the 21st century, the School of Information Science now offers an online minor in Information Studies, helping students gain skills that are becoming increasingly important in both the public and private sectors.

Search IS classes in the Course Catalog

Why Information Studies?

The saying that “information is the currency of democracy” has never been truer than in today’s information-rich society. With an ever increasing volume of electronic data, there is a growing need for employees who can store, manage and extract data effectively. The National Research Council forecasts a need for more information scientists to manage the knowledge-intensive enterprises upon which the future US economy will be based. And the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment in the information technology sector to increase 12% by 2024*. In short, those who can effectively navigate, manage and analyze information will be in high demand.

The minor in Information Studies from UK’s School of Information Science will help prepare you for a wide variety of jobs such as Business Information Coordinator, Knowledge Manager, Medical Record Analyst, and Information Analyst, among others. Or you can use the minor to compliment your major area, developing skills that make you a more attractive job candidate.

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Computer and Information Technology Occupations,
on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm (visited February 08, 2016).

Requirements of the IS Minor

The minor in Information Studies requires completion of 18 hours of coursework. (For full course descriptions, click here.) Furthermore, all required courses can be completed online allowing for greater flexibility in meeting your own individualized scheduling needs.

Required courses include IS 200 Information Literacy and Critical Thinking; IS 201 Personal Knowledge Management and IS 202 Technologies for Information Services.

Electives include IS 303 Systems Analysis, IS 326 Electronic Resources for Health Information Professionals, IS 327 Consumer Health Information Seeking, and IS 402 Competitive Intelligence.

Additional electives may be available in certain semesters which may apply toward the minor degree on a case by case basis. Check with infosci [at] uky.edu if you have questions about the minor.

Minors may be added by the student's advisor in their primary college. Please check with your advisor to add a minor In Information Studies.

UK Tuition and Policies

Students can find information about University tuition rates here and should familiarize themselves with the University’s refund deadlines and policies available at this site. Students should check the UK Out-of-State Educational Activities
website to determine if a distance education program at the University of Kentucky is available in their state of residence.