Skip to main content

Archivists and cultural heritage professionals assist institutions, communities, corporations and other entities develop and maintain archival systems, resources and services, promote a better understanding of the past, and develop a new perspective of the present. This certificate provides a solid foundation in archival theory and offers students the opportunity to engage in a high level of archival fieldwork. Past projects have seen students working side-by-side with professional archivists in community archives, historical societies, corporations, and other institutions.

Archives and Cultural Heritage Careers
  • Fieldwork Experiences
  • Archives or cultural heritage collection processing and management
  • Community archives development and management
  • Digital archives or collections development and maintenance
  • Cultural heritage documentation and preservation
  • Historical records curation'
    Electronic records systems development and management

This certificate offers students the opportunity to engage in a high level of archival fieldwork. Past projects have seen students working side-by-side with professional archivists in community archives, historical societies, corporations and other institutions. Students may combine this certificate with other coursework toward the completion of the Master of Professional Studies.

Degree Requirements

The certificate is offered for students currently pursuing an MLIS, MSIM, or MPS at the School of Information Studies (SOIS) or to returning students who want to add the specialization to a completed post-graduate degree. Candidates work in collaboration with a faculty advisor to shape a plan of study. Certificate completion requires 15 graduate credit hours.

Curriculum
  • LIS 775 Introduction to Archival Principles, Practices, and Services
  • LIS 881 Advanced Archival Principles, Practices and Service
       Or and with approval from the coordinator: two or more of the 1.5 courses that
       focus on archival studies
  • LIS 799 Practicum
    or
  • LIS 888 Cultural Heritage/Archives Fieldwork

Plus two from the following;

  • LIS 711 History of the Text: Early Books and Manuscripts up to the Printing Press
  • LIS 713 Introduction to the Preservation and Conservation of Library and Archival Materials
  • LIS 718 Storytelling for Adults and Children
  • LIS 732 Introduction to Critical Race information Theory (CRiT)
  • LIS 751 Database Management Systems
  • LIS 752 Oral History
  • LIS 757 Digital Asset Management
  • LIS 759 Digital Libraries
  • LIS 762 Critical Race information Theory (CRiT): Power of the Capture Moment
  • LIS 783 Digital Humanities
  • LIS 786 Advanced Web Design
  • LIS 882 Metadata for Digital Resources
  • LIS 885 Cultural Heritage Resources and Services for Diverse Communities
  • LIS 886 Records and Information Management
  • LIS 889 Digital Curation

View course descriptions.

Fieldwork Experiences

This certificate offers students the opportunity to engage in a high level of archival fieldwork. Past projects have seen students working side-by-side with professional archivists in community archives, historical societies, corporations and other institutions.

Back to SOIS Certificate Programs