NOTE: The Specialist in Information degree program is not accepting new applications after the spring 2026 semester.
The Specialist in Information degree program is not accepting new applications after the spring 2026 semester.
If you started and discontinued the program within the last four years and would like to reapply, please email ischooladvising@cci.fsu.edu to discuss your options.
School of Information Master’s/Specialist Graduate Student Handbook
The Specialist in Information requires 30 semester hours. Use the Program of Study Worksheet using the Course Rotation Schedule linked at the top of the Graduate Course Descriptions page to plan out your degree program. We strongly encourage students to complete at least one of our graduate certificates as part of their Specialist degree program of study.
Specialist (Individualized General Program of Study) Requirements
The Specialist (Post-Master’s) degree requires successful completion of 30 semester hours of graduate coursework. The program is planned cooperatively with faculty members who will help tailor the program to meet your professional needs. Up to 12 of these hours may be taken outside the School in other FSU departments with the approval of the faculty advisor. Up to 6 hours may be taken outside FSU at an accredited institution with the approval of the faculty advisor. View a list of our course offerings and course descriptions.
Culminating Paper (Optional)
Students enrolled in the Specialist degree program have the option of completing a culminating paper or project, which is completed as a Directed Individual Study (DIS) for 3 to 6 credits. This culminating paper or project is done no earlier than the last two semesters of the program. To request this option, please submit the Individualized Course Request Form.
Certificate Programs
The School of Information offers graduate-level certificate programs to allow students to master technical aspects in specialized areas of study. The School of Information offers eight graduate-level certificates. All graduate certificate programs are 12 credit hours and can be completed online.
Programs of Study
To help facilitate course selection, courses have been organized into various programs of study along general and specialized areas of interest. These programs of study are not required for graduation and do not result in any further notation on the diploma or transcripts, but rather function as a planning and advising tool for the students. These programs of study may help to guide your course selection, in order to facilitate achievement of your career goals.
Time to Completion (Requirement for all Specialist Degrees)
- Coursework for the Specialist in Information degree must be completed within 7 years from the time the student first registers for graduate credit (for students that have completed a previous graduate degree at the School of Information, this timeline starts with the first semester of the School of Information master’s degree program).
- Any graduate work transferred from another institution must have commenced not more than 7 years prior to completion of the degree for the credits to be applicable to the Specialist degree.
- Exceptions may be appealed through the School of Information.
Graduate Academic Advising
Your faculty advisor can be a good resource for advice concerning course selection and/or career opportunities within the profession. Before contacting your faculty advisor, you should review the degree requirements for the program and fill out the Program of Study Worksheet found on the Degree Requirements tab. Each student is assigned a faculty advisor during the first semester of enrollment, which is based on the student’s specific area of interest as indicated in their application. Students are not limited to their assigned faculty advisor and are encouraged to seek out faculty with similar areas of interest for advice in course selection and/or career opportunities.
Student Services
iSchool Student Services is the primary point of administrative contact for all graduate students enrolled in the School of Information. Some of the tasks performed include: providing information about admission and program requirements, answering questions about orientation and registration, and clarifying College as well as University policies and procedures.
iSchool Student Services Coordinator, Current Ph.D. Students, Withdrawals, Academic Retention/Dismissal
Kimberly Amos-Tata
Assistant Director – Academic and Student Services
Voice: (850) 644-8121
Email: ischooladvising@admin.fsu.edu
Admission Requirements, Application Process and Application Status
Amy Mosher
Graduate Admissions Coordinator
Voice: (850) 645-3280
Email: ischooladvising@admin.fsu.edu
Current Master’s/Specialist Students, Reduced Tuition Programs, Graduation Checks and Clearances
Jade Stagg
Graduate Academic Program Specialist
Voice: (850) 644-8103
Email: ischooladvising@admin.fsu.edu
Contact Us
School of Information – iSchool Student Services
258 Louis Shores Building (LSB)
School of Information
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida 32306-2100
Email: ischooladvising@admin.fsu.edu
Fax: (850) 644-9763
Graduate
Cost of Attendance
Estimated Tuition/Fee Costs for the 2022-2023 Academic Year:
Tuition and Fees for all online graduate courses offered by the School of Information include a combination of state-required tuition/fees plus an additional fee called an auxiliary fee that is assessed for online classes. The specific breakdown of tuition and fees depends upon your residency status for tuition purposes. Below are the estimated costs per credit hour for the 2021-2022 academic year.
Master’s and Specialist Programs
Leon/Gadsden/Wakulla county residents*
Florida Residents – $579.32/semester hour
Non-Florida Residents – $1,210.72/semester hour
*Students residing in Leon, Gadsden and Wakulla counties are assessed additional activities and service fees for available on-campus services, such as University Wellness Center, Leach Center, Parking and Transportation.
All other locations outside of Leon/Gadsden/Wakulla county residents
Florida Residents – $544.26/semester hour
Non-Florida Residents – $1,175.66/semester hour
Reduced Tuition Market Rate (MSI program only) – $644.34/semester hour
Additional Fees
In addition to the per hour rate listed above, the University also assesses the following fees to all students:
- Facilities Use Fee – $20 flat fee per semester
- Technology Fee – $5.16/semester hour
- FSU Card Term Fee (Fall & Spring only) – $5.00 flat fee per semester
Academic Common Market
The Academic Common Market (ACM), a program of the Southern Regional Education Board, is an interstate agreement among southern states for sharing academic programs. Participating states enable their residents who qualify for admission to enroll in specific on-campus and online graduate programs in other states without having to pay out-of-state tuition. Arrangements traditionally are limited to programs not offered by the public institutions within the student’s state of residence. In short, students who obtain ACM certification pay tuition at FSU’s in-state rate.
Currently, the following states will certify ACM for the individual programs listed below.
Master of Science in Information
Arkansas, Delaware, Louisiana, Virginia and West Virginia
Post Master’s Specialist
Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, West Virginia
Doctoral Program
Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia
Visit the Southern Regional Education Board for more information.
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