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Archives, Records, and Information Management

Ranked #2 nationally, the Archives, Records, and Information Management Program at CLIS is a leader in the field. Its innovative curriculum for this specialty ensures that graduates will be prepared for successful careers in the 21st century.

The program has two options:

• an Archives, Records, and Information Management specialty within the Master of Library Science (MLS) program
• a joint History/Library Science program (HiLS) which leads to a Master of Arts (MA) in History and an MLS.

Both options in the program are highly competitive and draw students nationally and internationally. Each student works with a faculty advisor to construct an individual course of study that combines scholarship and theory with practical field experience and that meets the student's own interests. Both options meet all requirements recommended for archival education by the Society for American Archivists (SAA). The MLS is fully accredited by the American Library Association.

Program Requirements
Field Study
Student Archivists at Maryland
Admissions
Financial Aid
Contact CLIS

Program Requirements
Students specializing in Archives, Records, and Information Management will take the following courses. Course descriptions are available.

Core Courses:

• LBSC 605 Archival Principles, Practices, and Programs
• LBSC 635 Management and Administration for the Information Professional
• LBSC 650 Information Access
• LBSC 670 Information Structure
• LBSC 690 Information Technology

Three additional courses selected from the following:

• LBSC 625 Information Policy
• LBSC 680 Principles of Records and Information Management
• LBSC 682 Management of Electronic Records
• LBSC 703 Field Study in Archives, Records, and Information Management
• LBSC 708B Current Problems in Preservation
• LBSC 708P Advanced Issues in Management of Electronic Records and Information
• LBSC 708R Visual and Sound Materials
• LBSC 708W Managing Cultural Institutions
• LBSC 732 Advanced Archival Administration
• LBSC 735 Legal Issues in Managing Information
• LBSC 781 Access Techniques and Systems for Archives
• LBSC 782 Manuscript Collections
• LBSC 785 Documentation, Collection, and Appraisal of Records
• LBSC 786 Library and Archives Preservation
• LBSC 788 Seminar in Archives, Records, and Information Management

Four additional courses selected in consultation with the advisor, choosing from CLIS courses, other courses at Maryland, and courses at other local institutions through the Washington Metropolitan Area University Consortium. These courses may be in another discipline, such as history, American studies, or a language, as required by the student's interests and goals. Thesis and non-thesis options are available.

Normally, LBSC 799 Masters' Thesis Research (6 hours) will substitute for one course in the concentration and one elective course. With permission of the advisor, LBSC 709 Independent Study may count as a course in the concentration or as an elective.

Field Study

Students are strongly advised to include a field study (LBSC 703) in their programs. Outstanding opportunities are available for field study and internships in the region, with its varied and accessible array of major archives, library, and museums, most within an hour of campus by public transit. Among the opportunities are the Library of Congress, Smithsonian Institution, National Archives, Maryland State Archives, Archives of American Art, and the Folger Shakespeare Theatre.

Student Archivists at Maryland
Student Archivists at Maryland (SAM), the student chapter of SAA, is a forum for students specializing in or interested in archives. The group tours repositories, hosts guest speakers, arranges other events, and operates an electronic discussion list.

Admissions
See Applying to the MLS Program.


Financial Aid
Financial aid is available. Area employment opportunities are excellent.

Contact
Bruce I. Ambacher
Room 4105 Hornbake Library, South Wing
College of Information Studies
College Park, MD 20742-4345
Telephone: (301) 405-2043
E-Mail: bambache@umd.edu