The Bachelors of Arts Information Studies is an inter-disciplinary degree designed to prepare students to explore and analyze information needs, and deploy appropriate and effective approaches to satisfying those needs. The central theme of the degree is facilitating the link between people and the information they need to succeed.
Information professionals work in environments where their daily activities include:
Designed to prepare a technologically skilled and broadly educated graduate, the IS degree guides students through major coursework that is based in multiple disciplines within the College of Arts and Sciences. The degree also provides internship opportunities that give students first-hand experiences in the field.
The Need for Information Workers:
The need for information workers with varying task assignments and levels of responsibility has resulted in many government, industry, and education reports. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the information technology workforce grew 64% between 1988 and 1997, with growth in some segments as high as 158%. Employment in "computer and data processing services," the Bureau of Labor Statistics employment category that includes many information workers, more than doubled during the 1988-98 period, and should double again over the 1998-2008 period.
Information gathered by University of Oklahoma Career Services indicates that the average salary offer for BAIS graduates in 2006-2007 was over $60,000.
Information Studies Alumni:
Our alumni work in many diverse industries and settings, including communications, petroleum industry, financial management software, libraries and data research centers. Our graduates have a variety of careers including information technology security analyst, software implementation specialist, information technology specialist, network administrator, and project manager. Other graduates are continuing their education, seeking advanced degrees in law, library and information studies, knowledge management, and business.
Information Professionals in the Technology Workforce:
Information technology facilitators are needed to work in team settings in which their primary role is linking the knowledge base and skill sets of information technology workers and information technology-enabled workers. The Bachelor of Arts in Information Studies program is designed to prepare graduates for careers as information technology facilitators