Knowledge Management - M.S.

Program Overview

The Master's in Knowledge Management program at Kent State University prepares professionals to guide organizations in optimizing their use of knowledge. Through online coursework and practical experiences, students learn to design and implement knowledge management programs, fostering improved performance and innovation within various industries. Graduates are equipped to assume leadership roles as Knowledge Management Specialists, Directors, or Chief Knowledge Officers, driving knowledge-based strategies and transformations in the modern business landscape.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master of Science degree in Knowledge Management prepares professionals to serve as leaders who guide organizations into improved performance through better use of organizational knowledge. Graduates of the program will be able to design, deliver and support knowledge management programs at the enterprise and project levels. Organizations of all types, across all sectors of the economy, face a growing need for increased efficiencies. Gaining these efficiencies means organizations must mature into knowledge organizations by developing and applying knowledge to serve their markets better. This requires professionals with new skills and tools found in the emerging domain of knowledge management. Students in the Knowledge Management major learn principles, values and best practices that will prepare them for leadership roles in their future careers. They learn from interaction with their instructors and student colleagues, many of whom are also professionals working in knowledge management. Through courses, internships and other opportunities, students gain real-world, practical experience in developing and applying knowledge to improve organizational strategies, processes and technical skills.

Outline:

Program Requirements:

• LIS 60636 KNOWLEDGE ORGANIZATION STRUCTURES, SYSTEMS AND SERVICES (3 credit hours)
• MGMT 64158 LEADERSHIP (2 credit hours)
• Major Electives (11-15 credit hours): Choose from the following:
• Business Analytics (BA) Graduate Courses (50000 level and higher)
• Computer Information Systems (CIS) Graduate Courses (50000 level and higher)
• Emerging Media and Technology (EMAT) Graduate Courses (50000 level and higher)
• Health Informatics (HI) Graduate Courses (50000 level and higher)
• Human Resource Management (HRM) Graduate Courses (50000 level and higher)
• Knowledge Management (KM) Graduate Courses (50000 level and higher)
• Library and Information Science (LIS) Graduate Courses (50000 level and higher)
• Management (MGMT) Graduate Courses (50000 level and higher)
• KM 66199 THESIS I
• Minimum Total Credit Hours: 30 (Students who select thesis as their culminating requirement will complete 12 credit hours of electives.
Students who select the internship, project or research paper will complete 15 credit hours of electives.)

Dual Degree with Master of Business Administration:

• CIS 64042 GLOBALIZATION AND TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY (2 credit hours)
• ECON 62021 MACROECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT OF BUSINESS (2 credit hours)
• FIN 66050 LAW AND ETHICS (2 credit hours)
• LIS 60636 KNOWLEDGE ORGANIZATION STRUCTURES, SYSTEMS AND SERVICES (3 credit hours)
• MGMT 64158 LEADERSHIP (2 credit hours)
• Major Electives (12-15 credit hours): Choose from the following:
• Emerging Media and Technology (EMAT) Courses
• Health Informatics (HI) Courses
• Knowledge Management (KM) Courses
• Library and Information Science (LIS) Courses
• User Experience Design (UXD) Courses
• Culminating Requirement:
• MGMT 64399 BUSINESS STRATEGY (3 credit hours)
• Culminating Elective (3-6 credit hours): Choose from the following:
• KM 66199 THESIS I
• Minimum Total Credit Hours: 58-59 (MGMT 68051 may be waived for students with at least two years of full-time work experience.
Students who select thesis as their culminating requirement will complete 3 credit hours of College of Communication and Information electives; all others will complete 6 credit hours. Graduation Requirements: Students may graduate with fewer than 59 total credit hours but no fewer than 58 total credit hours.)

Careers:

Examples of Possible Careers:

• Chief Knowledge Officer (CKO)
• Knowledge Analyst
• Knowledge Engineer
• Knowledge Management Director
• Knowledge Management Project Manager
• Knowledge Management Specialist
• Knowledge Management Systems Administrator
• Knowledge Manager

Other:

• The program is fully online.
• The program is designed to help students develop and apply knowledge to improve organizational strategies, processes and technical skills.
• The program is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in their future careers.
• The program is designed to help students gain real-world, practical experience in developing and applying knowledge.
• The program is designed to help students engage and collaborate with the global knowledge management community.