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Schools Teaching IA

Many colleges, universities, and non-profit organizations offer courses in information architecture. Below you can download listings of institutions worldwide that offer courses and full degree programs dedicated to information architecture. We have recently removed commercial listings. For commercial course offerings, stay tuned for details on our upcoming Webinar Partner program or contact Andrew Hinton for participation information (inkblurt AT gmail.com).

Please note that this listing is a clearinghouse of IA education programs. In compiling the listings we first included courses and programs that explicitly use "information architecture" or "information design" in the title. For courses not explicitly using these terms, a course was judged to be IA-related if it encompassed a digital information design/organization theme and was either noted or recommended by one of our members. The IA Institute has not reviewed these programs and cannot make any recommendations as to the quality of any listed program, but you are free to discuss with other members on our email lists.

If you know of a program or course that fits these criteria but is not listed please contact us. We plan to periodically release updates to these lists.

Volunteer Opportunity

Help us create a more accessible and dynamic course listing. We would like to serve as many website users as possible in locating Information Architecture course and program information, regardless of their location, access to technology and physical abilities. To volunteer with this effort, contact volunteer[at]iainstitute[dot]org.

Download the Full Listings

2010 Program Listing (26 kb)

2010 Courses and Programs

Courses are displayed below by Country in which it is offered. Courses with online components are noted under country of origin and separately at the bottom of this listing under the heading "Online Courses".

Australia

Charles Sturt University
Master of Information Architecture
http://www.csu.edu.au/courses/postgraduate/information_architecture/
Masters in Information Architecture with exit points for a Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate in IA. Online available.

Canberra University
Master of Information Studies in Internet Communication (online)
http://www.canberra.edu.au/courses-units/m-coursework/mis
Donna Maurer says: Not directly IA, but the closest I've been able to find in Australia (and it's on-line which is really important for me at the moment). It includes graphic design, writing, web design, information retrieval, HCI & usability. Most courses that contain any HCI are in computing departments, where you need to do stacks of coding subjects before touching HCI!

University of Queensland
Graduate Certificate in Interaction Design
http://www.uq.edu.au/study/program.html?acad_prog=5369
Masters of Interaction Design
http://www.uq.edu.au/study/program.html?acad_prog=5371

Brazil

Web para Designers
Information Architecture course module
http://www.arteccom.com.br/cursos/index.php

Online course in Portuguese, from the Brazilian company Arteccom, which has a specific module about IA. Very introductory.

Canada

University of Toronto
Professional Learning Centre
Information Architecture - Basic
http://plc.fis.utoronto.ca/coursedescription.asp?courseid=223

Learning objectives:

understand Information Architecture fundamentals, why it’s important, and related concepts
understand at a high-level how to design an effective Information Architecture that reflects the organizational culture and distinctive patterns of different user groups

Target Audience:

Managers, experienced information management practitioners, or Intranet and website designers/managers who are charged with:

Organizing and labeling information on websites, portals, intranets or content management systems
Hiring consultants to set up their website, portal, intranet or content management system
Managing or maintaining their website, portal, intranet or content management system

University of Toronto
Professional Learning Centre
Information Architecture - Advanced
http://plc.fis.utoronto.ca/coursedescription.asp?courseid=225

This course goes beyond the material covered in the Basic course, looking at specific usability issues, information retrieval and how to use Information Architecture principles when applied to Content Management Systems. The course also takes a hand's on approach to the subject, while presenting industry best practices designed to maximize an organization's ability to provide information through the creation of distinct "information spaces".

This course addresses such issues as:

optimizing information structure for online reading
user and task analysis for interface design
learning additional usability testing and content management tools

University of Toronto, Scarborough and Centennial College
Joint Program in New Media Studies (BA/Certificate)
Interface Design, Navigation and Interaction I
Interface Design, Navigation and Interaction II
http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~jtprogs/newMedia.html

Students in New Media can earn an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree and an Ontario College Certificate while learning from leading academics and professionals. The program focuses on the critical thinking, research, design, and communications skills and experience needed to analyze the impact of media on culture today. Students master the techniques necessary to transform the world in a knowledge-driven society. Graduates take with them a portfolio demonstrating their creative abilities and academic expertise and are ready for careers in any organization requiring creative thinking in media and communication.

Denmark

Aarlborg University
Master in Information Architecture
http://www.informationsarkitektur.aau.dk/
Information architecture is a graduate study program, dedicated to educate information architects. The core is a rhetoric and ecological approach to categorizing, organizing and presenting information.

India
National Institute of Design (NID)
Post-Graduate Diploma in Information and Interface Design
http://www.nid.edu/study_pg_iid.htm
Ahemdabad had been the only specialised design school in India established in 1961, based on the ideology of Bauhaus and Ulm in Germany. NID predominantly was specialized in Industrial design and part of Visual Communication as in Graphic Design , Animation. NID offers Information Design as a 2 year master level course (post-graduate). In India the industry is not mature enough to differentiate between IA and UI design posts. This program focuses on HCI. Interface design is an established thing... with usability at its core. There are lots of overlaps and nobody gives (usually) a separate post as Information Architect. There are a lot of posts for Interface Designers who do the work of IA as well as UxD and usability expert.

Italy

Domus Academy
Master of Interaction Design
Italian: http://www.domusacademy.it/interactiondept
English: http://www.domusacademy.com/interactiondesigndept
The Master in I-Design is born from a challenge: to bring into the world of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) the originality of the culture of Italian design. The program objective is to train designers the conceptual and practical tools necessary to develop concepts and strategies for the world of ICT

Poland

Library and Information Science Institute at Pedagogical University
Information Architecture: Web Sites Information Management
http://www.ap.krakow.pl/iinib/spai/
Postgraduated study in Information Architecture

Sweden

Malmö Högskolan
Informationsarkitekt (Diploma in Information Architecture)
http://www.edu.mah.se/TIARK/syllabus/
3 year programs in Information Architecture leading to diploma in Computer Science or Information Technology

Borås Högskolan
Informationskarkitekt (Bachelor)
http://itsomyrke.nu/ia
3 year Bachelor of Philosophy program in Information architecture.
Students of the Borås programme blog at: http://www.informationarchitect.se

United Kingdom

University College London
Master of Science in HCI
http://www.uclic.ucl.ac.uk
Egonomics and HCI Masters programs

USA: California

University of California - Berkeley School of Information
PhD and Master of Information Management and Systems
http://www.ischool.berkeley.edu/
Information design and architecture is one of five areas of concentration in the iSchool's Masters and PhD programs

University of California - Los Angeles, Extension
http://courses.cudenver.edu/coursehome.asp?term=091&subject=CMMU&code=4510&section=001&type=C
No longer offering Graduate Certificate in Usability Testing and Interface Design

Official Course Description
USABILITY TESTING
CMMU 4510-3. Usability Testing. Teaches students how to evaluate technical documentation testing needs, evaluate testing options for their feasibility and costs/benefits, design and carry out a usability testing plan, evaluate and write up test results for actual client documents and products. Cross-listed with CMMU 5510.

USA: Florida

Florida State University School of Information Studies
Master of Library Science/Information organization concentration and Information Architecture Program of Study
http://ci.fsu.edu/Graduate/default.asp
The specializations within this concentration prepare students to meet the information needs of users by developing and managing information technologies, including web-based resources and networks. A suggested program of study on Information Architecture is offered as part of this program.

USA: Georgia

Georgia Tech School of Literature, Communication and Human Culture
Master of Science in HCI
http://dm.lcc.gatech.edu/hci/
The HCI program's mission is to provide students with the practical, interdisciplinary skills and theoretical understanding they will need to become leaders in the design, implementation and evaluation of the computer interfaces of the future.

Georgia Tech School of Literature, Communication and Human Culture
PhD and Master of Science programs in Digital Media
http://www-static.cc.gatech.edu/gvu/streaming/archives.html).

Savannah College of Art & Design
B.A., B.F.A., M.A., M.F.A. Degrees and Certificate program in Interactive Design and Game DevelopmentInteraction Design minor
http://www.scad.edu/interactive-design-and-game-development/
A minor in Interaction Design, includes a class on Information Architecture

USA: Illinois

Illinois Institute of Technology
Master of Science in Information Architecture
http://www.iit.edu/graduate_admission/programs/areas_of_study/information_architecture.shtml
The Master of Science in Information Architecture enhances a technical communication core with specialized concepts, skills and tools for designing, implementing and managing Web sites and related media such as CD-ROMs.

USA: Indiana

Masters in HCI at School of Informatics, Indiana University
Master of Science in HCI
http://xavier.informatics.indiana.edu/gradsites/hcid/Masters/
Our program combines fundamental human-computer interaction knowledge with a strong emphasis on design.

Indiana Univerity-Purdue Univeristy Indianapolis
Information Architecture course
http://www.slis.indiana.edu/
MLIS with a Specialization in Library Technology Management. Information Architecture, Information Architecture for the Web and Capstone in Information Architecture as well as HCI courses are offered.

USA: Iowa

Iowa State University
Graduate HCI program (Certificate and Masters programs)
http://www.hci.iastate.edu/"
Quote from a Student:
1) Pursue a certificate AND a masters degree simultaneously - It is possible to have a member of the faculty 'sponsor' a student's admission into the masters program while completing the certificate program.
2) In State tuition for out of state students. This is offset by a 'delivery fee' for online classes, which is about $150 per credit hour....
3) No official meeting times - The assignment due dates are set and you may need to meet up with team members.
4) Flexible payments - Iowa State University will allow students to pay their tuition in monthly increments throughout the semester. They charge anywhere from $20-$100 for this, but I think its worth it if your current employer won't provide tuition assistance for a non-degree program, which goes right back to 1. Find a faculty member and apply for degree admission, and next thing you know, your company is paying for both programs!

USA: Maryland

University of Baltimore
Doctor of Communication Design
http://iat.ubalt.edu/dcd/
This doctoral program requires most of the same courses as the Master's of Interaction Design and Information Architecture (see next item). It is housed in the same department and is intended for students who already hold master's degrees related to the humanities and want to apply them in the field of interaction design.

University of Baltimore
Master in Interaction Design and Information Architecture
http://iat.ubalt.edu/idia/
As a student in this program you will become proficient in specific applications of significant information technologies, well-versed in methods for understanding and structuring human interactions with those technologies, and critically aware of social and cultural implications arising from technological developments.

USA: Massachusetts

Bentley College
Master of Science Human Factors in Information Design
http://www.bentley.edu/ms/mshfid.cfm
Through the Master of Science in Human Factors in Information Design (MSHFID), working professionals learn innovative approaches to product development that integrate the goals of the business and the end-user.

Bentley College
User Experience Certificate http://www.bentley.edu/ux-certificate/index.cfm

Other Bentley courses related to information design and User Experience:
http://www.bentley.edu/usability/training-and-workshops.cfm

Simmons College, Boston, MA
Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS)
http://www.simmons.edu/gslis/academics/courses/electives.shtml
http://my.simmons.edu/gslis/docs/courses/cis/531G_CIS.pdf
Web Development and Information Architecture elective course as part of the Masters of Science degree

USA: Michigan

The School of Information at the University of Michigan
Master of Science in HCI
Master of Science in Incentive-Centered Design
http://www.si.umich.edu/msi/hci.htm
http://www.si.umich.edu/msi/icd.htm
Degree in HCI. Peter Morville is an adjunct professor with the school, and teaches a course in Information Architecture there each Fall.
A newer program in incentive-centered design is an interdisciplinary program using game-theory models as the starting point for analyzing strategic interactions. The faculty take a broad view of individual motivations for strategic behavior, drawing on economic, psychological, and sociological theories, and also draw on computer science for the engineering of systems.

USA: New Jersey

New Jersey Institute of Technology
Certificate in the Practice of Technical Communications
http://adultlearner.njit.edu/programs/technicalcommunications-cert.php
Includes a course on Content Management and Information Architecture, available on site and online

Rutgers University
Mini-MSE in Human Computer Interaction
http://www.rate.rutgers.edu
The Rutgers Advanced Technology Extension is pleased to announce a new Certificate program in Human Computer Interaction (HCI). The Mini-MSE in HCI provides the core knowledge and skills for today's professionals. Students will learn the design of software interfaces for users to efficiently and effortlessly complete their tasks. The program is an immersive experience that shows how and where Human Computer Interaction (HCI) fits in the software process, explains the underlying psychology and sociology that guide user design, and demonstrates common techniques for making an interface usable.

USA: New York

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Master of Science in HCI, undergraduate Information Architecture courses
http://www.llc.rpi.edu/programs/graduate_hci.shtml?information+architecture
The Department of Language, Literature and Communication offers a M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and offers two undergraduate courses under its Information Architecture competency for the B.S. in Communication with a Concentration in Web Design and Analysis
http://www.llc.rpi.edu/programs/undergraduate_webda.shtml Advanced Content Development for the World Wide Web and Interface Design: Hypermedia Theory and Application

School of Visual Arts
Master of Fine Arts in Interaction Design
http://interactiondesign.sva.edu
The MFA in Interaction Design program trains students to research,
analyze, prototype, and design concepts in their business, social, and
cultural contexts. Today, business success depends on the presence of
a well-designed, engaging experience, and the new MFA in Interaction
Design program explores the strategic role of interaction design in
shaping everyday life. Dot Dot Dot lecture series is open to the public covering current topics in Interaction Design.

State University of New York Oswego
Multimedia/Hypermedia Design and Authoring
http://www.cs.oswego.edu/~ychoi/ISC325/index.html
Contains an introduction to IA

USA: Ohio

Kent State University
Master of Science in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management
http://iakm.kent.edu/
Master of Science degree in Information Architecture online program now available; April 2007: Grand Opening of the SLIS Usability Lab at Kent State, used for research in the Master's Program in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management (IAKM - http:iakm.kent.edu) and in the School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) and in the School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) http://www.slis.kent.edu ). It is a state-or-the-art facility, with the latest eye">(SLIS - http://www.slis.kent.edu). It is a state-or-the-art facility, with the latest eye -tracking hardware and several analytical and statistical software packages. It has already attracted a variety of research projects.

USA: Oregon

The University of Oregon, Eugene
Applied Information Management (AIM) master of science degree
http://aim.uoregon.edu/
Designed to give mid-career professionals relevant skills in information management, information design, business management, and applied research that can be used immediately on the job.

USA: Pennsylvania

Carnegie Mellon University Human Computer Interaction Institute
Master of HCI and Undergraduate major in HCI
http://www.hcii.cs.cmu.edu/
Interdisciplinary orientation, with faculty from Computer Science, Design, Psychology, Social and Decision Sciences, Robotics, and Business Administration The HCII program focuses equally on strategic, research, design and implementation aspects of product development.

Carnegie Mellon University School of Design
Master of Design in Interaction Design
http://www.design.cmu.edu/show_program.php?s=2&t=3
Our model of designing for interaction involves multi-disciplinary teams engaged in the planning, conception, design, implementation, and support of products, services, and systems that meet human needs and desire. This human-centered model, with a concern for psychological, social, and cultural factors on the one hand, and technical and economic factors on the other, was pioneered at Carnegie Mellon and is now widely embraced as a design standard around the world. The School of Design programs puts more emphasis on visual/aesthetic aspects of interaction design (more like an MFA, usually a strong portfolio and BFA is required to get in) whereas the HCII program focuses equally on strategic, research, design and implementation aspects of product development.

Carnegie Mellon University School of Design
Master of Design in Communication Planning and Information Design
http://www.design.cmu.edu/show_program.php?s=2&t=2
The Master of Design (MDes) in Communication Planning and Information Design is a two-year professional program for students who want to explore the new arts of communication and the creative potential of the interplay between words and images in traditional and innovative media. The School of Design programs puts more emphasis on visual/aesthetic aspects of interaction design (more like an MFA, usually a strong portfolio and BFA is required to get in) whereas the HCII program focuses equally on strategic, research, design and implementation aspects of product development.

USA: Texas

The School of Information at the University of Texas at Austin
Master of Science in Information Studies
http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/programs/masters/
Degree in Information Studies with focus on IA. Don Turnbull is an assistant professor with the school, and teaches two courses specifically focusing on Information Architecture and others on Information Retrieval, Knowledge Management and the Semantic Web.

USA: Washington

The University of Washington iSchool
Master (MLIS and MSIM) and Information Architecture Summer Institute
http://www.ischool.washington.edu/
UW recently held a Summer Institute on Information Architecture. Offerings for 2007 and 2009 included a program on Knowledge Management. Offerings for 2008 included IA coursework. The program may offer IA courses periodically.

USA: Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Library and Information Studies
Information Architecture
http://www.slis.wisc.edu/academics/courses.html
LIS 861 Information architecture: Covers how traditional library science concepts such as organization of information and users and uses apply to web design, and examines the basics of usability, navigation, project planning, project management, web evaluation, and ongoing web information system management.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Information Studies
Bachelor of Science in Information Resources
http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/SLIS/academics/bsir.htm
Offers Information Architecture I, II and III as part of its degree program.

Online Courses

AIIM
Online Web Certification programs in Search, Information Organization & Access, Enterprise Content Management, etc.
http://www.aiim.org/
Discounts for IA Institute Members: Contact membership@iainstitute.org for details

Charles Sturt University
Master of Information Architecture
http://www.csu.edu.au/courses/postgraduate/information_architecture/index.html
These Information Architecture courses aim to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to implement successful information architecture, developing the necessary expertise in the areas of information management and information technology.

Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA
Online MLIS with a concentration on Management of Digital Information
http://www.drexel.com/online-degrees/information-sciences-degrees/ms-di/curriculum.aspx#658
IA course Introduces fundamental concepts, methods and theories in Information Architecture for virtual, physical, and hybrid worlds. Focuses on organization, representation, and navigation of conceptual space. Topics include foundations, Web design, cognitive aspects, search, interaction design, knowledge organization, and user experience.

The University of Illinois
Information Architecture course
http://www.lis.uiuc.edu/programs/leep/
LEEP program, though they're more library science than information architecture.

Iowa State University
Graduate HCI program (Online Masters programs)
http://www.hci.iastate.edu/Academics/msonline.php
The Online HCI MS degree program beginning in Fall 2008 semester was created from the growing demand from business and industry for a masters program that provides education in the field of Human Computer Interaction. Students are required to come to campus to present the capstone project.

Kent State University
MS in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management
http://iakm.kent.edu/
Note: The online IA option has been postponed (http://iakm.kent.edu/news/news/information-architecture-online-program-postponed.html), however, it is worth keeping an eye on this program.

San Jose State University
Masters in Library and Information Science
http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/audience/prospective.htm
http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/classes/infoorg.htm
http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/classes/systems.htm
Concentrations in information organization and web design/technology

South University
MS Information Systems & Technology w/ Concentration in Information Architecture and Design
http://online.southuniversity.edu/academics/graduate/information_technology.asp
Information Architecture is where you will learn to express a model or concept for information. This refers to the back end of the system and supporting infrastructure. Example: Company A needs a system that would track cargo and people traffic – Information Architects will build the appropriate network infrastructure, and will set the database up. Interaction and Usability Studies is where you will learn methods of measuring usability and the principles behind an object's efficiency. Example: For Company A's system, a usability study will look into what the employees need and how they interact with the machines, and will provide a usable interface that will not frustrate the workers, with easy access to all functions.
Note from IAI: this program appears to define IA from the standpoint of backend enterprise systems architecture, rather than IA as introduced by the Polar Bear Book; however the focus on interaction and usability studies indicates an expanded understanding of IA and user experience beyond WWW development.

This page was last modified on July 19, 2010 01:42 PM.

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