Pratt Institute’s School of Information has launched two innovative new Master of Science programs starting in fall 2016.
The programs, an MS in Information Experience Design and MS in Data Analytics and Visualization, will provide students with the skill sets and knowledge needed for professionals to create innovative solutions to meet today’s information challenges at cultural institutions, corporations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and start-up companies. A testament to the School’s forward-thinking curriculum, 96 percent of graduates successfully found employment within nine months of receiving their degree, according to a School of Information survey of the class of 2015.
The two new programs build on the fall 2015 curriculum expansion to offer an MS in Museums and Digital Culture. The MS in Information Experience Design and the MS in Museums and Digital Culture are each the first-of-its-kind in the United States. The MS in Data Analytics and Visualization is the first in the country to bring together an approach that integrates design and technical skills.
“It is an exciting time for creative information professionals as we are experiencing a dramatically transforming digital landscape,” said Tula Giannini, dean of the School of Information. “There is a growing need for people entering creative fields to have technical and design skills along with a user-centered approach. We are committed to preparing our graduates to succeed in today’s digital world and the new Master of Science programs further advance our vision to improve lives and communities through information, knowledge, and culture.”
“Today’s job market, especially in New York City, offers unprecedented professional opportunities in the information and creative sectors,” said Justin Hendrix, executive director of the NYC Media Lab, which has partnered with Pratt on corporate collaborations. “There is already enormous demand for these skills in the media and technology industries and that demand will most certainly grow.”
The Master of Science in Information Experience Design promotes a research-based and human-centered approach to technology design that teaches students how to create digital tools that are understandable, useful, and engaging. With its interdisciplinary curriculum, the program will create well-rounded User Experience (UX) professionals and prepare them for careers as UX Designers, Information Architects, Interaction Designers, UX Researchers, Usability Analysts, and Content Strategists.
The Master of Science in Data Analytics and Visualization will draw upon the School of Information’s strong foundations of Information Science and Human-Computer Interaction, educating students in the transformation of raw data into meaningful information. Combining design, communication, and statistics, this program reflects the urgent need for information professionals proficient in the many facets of this field. The program is the first in the country to incorporate an approach that integrates design and technical skills.
Both Master of Science programs comprise 36 credits, to be taken over the course of four semesters.