Information Architecture and Knowledge Management

To complete the Master of Science students must take a core program and select a concentration. Beginning in Fall 2009 all concentrations share a 2-course, 6-credit hour core. The program's core courses provide a cross-section of the information-related disciplines. Students wishing to begin before Fall 2009 should contact the IAKM office for degree requirements at iakm@kent.edu.

Program Core
6 credit hours (3 credit hours each)

IAKM 60001 IAKM in Context
- Overview of Information Architecture, Information Use, and Knowledge Management. Basic skills and understandings in information literacy, organization of knowledge, information sources and searching. Information sciences, systems, and professionals in the information society.
IAKM 60002 Knowledge Organization Structures, Systems, and Services
- Introduction to various types of knowledge organization systems / services / structures (KOS) used in the networked environment. Understanding of the functional, philosophical, logical, and linguistic fundamentals of KOS . Explanation of design options, features of KOS , and procedures to be used in the thesaurus, taxonomy, and ontology construction.

Concentration of Study
Two program concentrations offer flexibility for students to tailor a course of study to suit their interests or career objectives. This flexibility is essential to the nature of the program because of the transdisciplinary character of information, the emerging and evolving roles for information professionals, and the rapid and dynamic growth of information technologies, products, systems, services and networks.

Knowledge Management
User Experience Design

Students will be expected to take five (5) required courses (15 credit hours) in their major concentration, plus six (6) electives (18 credit hours) from all courses related to IAKM concentrations. The flexibility of electives allows students to study across IAKM concentrations or choose all electives in their area of study.

Completing the Degree
As a final component to the MS, students are required to complete either a master's project (IAKM 61098), capstone experience (IAKM 61080) or thesis (IAKM 61199). These capstone options provide the student with the opportunity to combine all of the knowledge gained through coursework into one complete package.