UMSI launches product management pathway for master’s students

Starting in fall 2026, Master of Science in Information students at the University of Michigan School of Information will be able to study product management, preparing them for one of the most in-demand roles in technology. 

“The new product management pathway reflects growing demand for professionals who can connect business goals, user needs and technical execution in fast-changing industries,” says Stephanie Brenton, lecturer III in information, who has more than 20 years of industry experience as a UX leader. 

The five pathways in the MSI program allow students to gain mastery in different areas of career interest, from big data analytics to user-centered agile development. Students who choose product management will graduate ready to lead the development of products and services by combining strategy, user research and human-centered design.

“Our goal is to equip students with durable, interdisciplinary skills that empower them to move across roles, and even define new ones, as fields evolve,” says Tawanna Dillahunt, professor of information and director of the MSI program. “This pathway provides a clearer entry point into product careers, while still grounding students in the broader skills needed to adapt to and shape emerging technologies.”

The pathway introduces new coursework designed to mirror how product teams actually work. One example is a course Brenton is teaching, SI 526: UX + PM + Dev Collaboration, where students will practice working in cross-functional teams, taking turns in the roles of UX designer, product manager and software developer. 

“UMSI students will have a unique opportunity to learn the model used by the best product teams in industry — an approach that remains rare in practice — and to experience it fully operationalized within one school before they enter the workforce,” Brenton says. 

Sarah Kichula, a Bachelor of Science in Information senior, says the pathway is something she and many of her peers would consider. “I’ve sometimes been hesitant to commit strictly to either design or research, because I’ve always been drawn to the strategy side: figuring out what to build, why it matters and how it fits real user and business needs,” Kichula says. “This pathway feels especially relevant."

These skills will only increase in value as AI becomes ubiquitous. While AI tools can accelerate product development, Brenton emphasizes the need for leaders who can make evidence-based decisions, evaluate human impact and reduce risks — skills developed through the new pathway. 

“The future will belong to professionals who know how to lead teams where humans and AI work together effectively,” she says. “Graduates will be ready not only to join industry, but to improve it.”

Interested students can apply to the MSI program by May 15 to enter in fall 2026. 

LEARN MORE

Explore the product management pathway. 

Register for a virtual information session on the new pathway.