Master of Professional Studies (MPS) - Ithaca

Held exclusively on Cornell's Ithaca campus, our Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Information Science is a one-year program that prepares students for work in industry.

Overview: Cornell’s Master of Professional Studies

The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Information Science is an interdisciplinary, one-year program that prepares students for successful careers in information science. Capstone projects involve students working with client companies to find solutions to real-world problems, providing experiences that can apply directly to jobs after graduation.

MPS Program Curriculum

Cornell's Information Science MPS allows each student to individually tailor a unique skill set for their career goals, such as user experience design, data science, interactive technology, and networks, crowds, and markets. With no core courses, the program's flexible curriculum allows students to develop strong technical skills and an in-depth understanding of the social and behavioral aspects of information technology. No Cornell course is off limits – students can choose from all University course offerings during the program. For a look at this semester's MPS courses and approved electives, see the MPS Courses and Focus Areas page. The keynote MPS Project Practicum joins student teams with client companies, big and small, to develop implementable solutions for real-world problems.

Careers for Graduates with a Master of Professional Studies Degree

Some positions that our graduating students have accepted in recent years include: UX designer, application designer, business technical analyst, front-end web developer, integrations engineer, IT leadership, research scientist, software engineer, systems administrator, usability analyst, and web applications developer. Our alumni can be found at leading companies in the industry, such as Amazon, Deloitte, Meta, Johnson & Johnson, Morgan Stanley, Snap, Verizon, Wayfair, and Yahoo. Please see our Info Sci MPS Careers page for more details about graduate outcomes.

Learn More About the Master of Professional Studies

If you're interested in a career that involves both the technical and behavioral aspects of information technology, an MPS degree could provide you with the foundation you need. You can send your contact information to us at CornellGRAD@infosci.cornell.edu to receive more information about the program, including reminders about application deadlines and upcoming information sessions.

Important links:

  • How to Apply — Find details on everything prospective students will need in order to apply to the MPS program.

  • Admissions FAQs — View frequently-asked-questions related to the MPS program.

  • Funding Opportunities — Find out more about scholarship and assistantship opportunities available to MPS students.

For other questions, contact Olivia Howarth, Assistant Director of the MPS program, by email – oah23@cornell.edu.