College of Communication and Information | School of Information
Master of Science in Knowledge Management
Course Delivery
100% online
Total Credits
36
Approximate Program Cost
$26,100
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Graduate in as few as 2 years or 6 semesters
Program Overview
The Master of Science degree in Knowledge Management prepares professionals to serve as leaders in all types of organizations who can assess and evaluate organizations on knowledge management principles, including culture, learning, communities and maturity. Graduates will be able to build strategy for effective knowledge management for organizations.
The skills and tools required to manage a knowledge organization build upon, but are different from, those required to manage an industrial-era organization. These new skills and tools are found in the emerging domain of knowledge management. Knowledge management organizations of all types, in all sectors of the economy, face a growing need for knowledge management professionals. In fact, knowledge organizations are created and sustained by knowledge management professionals working side-by-side with corporate executives, business and subject matter experts. A knowledge organization works smarter at the organizational, community and individual levels because knowledge management professionals envision and strategically manage the organization's knowledge, design knowledge architectures and build technologies that enable the organization to work smarter and facilitate knowledge management on a daily basis.
Students in the program learn principles, values, assessment and best practices from their instructors and fellow students, many of whom are also professionals working in knowledge management. Through courses and internships, students are provided real-world, practical experience.
Knowledge management is a discipline that takes a comprehensive, systematic approach to the information assets of an organization by identifying, capturing, collecting, organizing, indexing, storing, integrating, retrieving and sharing them. Such assets include intellectual capital, employee expertise, business and competitive intelligence, and organizational memory. It strives to make the collective knowledge, information and experiences of the organization available to individual employees or organizational groups for their use and to motivate them to contribute their knowledge to the collective assets. It seeks to create or identify communities of practice or interest, especially to identify lessons learned and best practices.
Program Structure
- 36 minimum credit hours
- Graduate in as few as 2 years or 6 semesters
Admissions Requirements
- Completed application form and fee
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university for unconditional admission
- Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000 point scale for unconditional admission. In calculating total GPA, all grades from all courses taken at relevant level (bachelor's or master's) from all institutions are counted
- Official transcript(s) from each college/university in which eight (8) semester hours or more were earned, except for Kent State University. They must be official transcripts and sent directly from each institution
- The minimum standard for graduate admission to Kent State University is a total GPA of 3.0 in the highest degree completed. Total GPA includes grades for all courses taken at the relevant level (baccalaureate or master’s) at all institutions attended. Applicants with a total GPA below 3.0 who would like to seek admission to the Master of Science in Knowledge Management degree program must take the GRE and submit the scores to Kent State. The School does not offer waivers for professional experience
- Resume/CV
- Statement of Purpose: Please include a typed, double-spaced statement of no more than 1,000 words describing why you are interested in the program, how your background experience and/or education has prepared you for the program, your career goals, and how the program will help actualize your professional objectives
- Three letters of recommendation: References should be able to attest that you possess the ability and skills needed to succeed in graduate study. Generally, the best references are professors, but senior-level managers from your workplace can also serve well. Letters should include a signature and be submitted on the sender’s company or organization letterhead
- English language proficiency: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions)
Important Dates
Courses
Courses for the online MS in Knowledge Management prepare students to effectively build and maintain knowledge management strategy in all organizations. Core course subjects include foundations of knowledge management; knowledge assessment and evaluation; the information economy; organizational learning; and knowledge organization structures, systems and services. Students select 15 credit hours of electives in pertinent topics, 6 credits of which may be drawn from the disciplines of health informatics, library and information science, or user experience design. They must also complete an internship, master’s project, master’s research paper or thesis as a 3-6 credit culminating requirement.
Tuition and Fees
| Ohio Residents | Out of State | ||||
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Program Cost | Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Program Cost |
| $725 | $2,175 | Approximate Cost: $26,100 | $735 | $2,205 | Approximate Cost: $26,500 |
An additional Distance Learning fee for all students enrolled in a distance learning course is $12 per credit hour. Program tuition and costs are estimated and subject to change.
Actual tuition costs may vary based on a student’s chosen academic plan. For a complete listing of tuition rates for approved online programs please contact the One Stop for Student Services at 330-672-6000, or via our website Contact Us link.
The total program costs are estimates and are not final or binding. Program costs are based on standard fees, but fees may vary based on the actual classes taken. Kent State University disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance upon these program cost estimates by any person. Program costs are subject to change without notice.
Additional out-of-state surcharge for students enrolled in an online program: All Graduate—All Campuses: $10/hr.