Recordkeeping, from government to organizational to personal, is one of the most ancient and essential human and institutional functions.  Records are created and maintained for purposes of evidence; accountability; and personal, social and corporate memory.  Archives serve a crucial cultural function, providing society with a sense of identity and memory; records management programs help organizations to be compliant with regulatory agencies, responsible to constituent groups, and effective and efficient in the use of informational resources.

Our Archives, Preservation & Records Management Specialization is one of the leading programs in the United States.  You can earn your MLIS degree, gaining an in-depth knowledge of:

• Records and recordkeeping systems
• Electronic records management
• Archival appraisal and access
• The history and evolution of recordkeeping systems
• Digital Preservation
• Preservation management of library and archives collections

Our program will give you the skills and knowledge to identify and analyze recordkeeping systems from legal, evidential, and cultural perpectives.  Students study in an engaging and intellectually stimulating environment, taking courses in diverse topics including:

• Appraisal and records scheduling
• Organization and representation of archival materials
• Reference and access
• Advocacy and public programming
• Ethical issues
• Preservation and Preservation management of library and archive collections
• Digitization and Digital Preservation
• Research methods for archival research
• Management of archives, preservation, and records programs

All students MUST start their studies in the Fall term.  Archives, Preservation, and Records Management students must declare themselves to be in this specialized track by September 30th of the Fall term by completing this declaration form and submitting it to their academic advisor.

Archives, Preservation and Records Management students must take the following five MLIS core requirements:

• LIS 2000 Understanding Information is required of all students in the program.  Due to sequencing requirements, Archives and Preservation students must take this course in the Fall term.
• LIS 2220 Archives and Records Management
• LIS 2223 Archival Access, Advocacy, and Ethics
• LIS 2224 Archival Representation
• LIS 2600 Introduction to Information Technologies

These courses are required for all students who wish to focus on archives, preservation, and records management studies within the MLIS degree program. 

Sequence of Coursework