About the Program

The Certificate in Special Collections Librarianship and Archives is designed to prepare students for work in special collections, archives, manuscript repositories, and other organizations that preserve primary source materials. This is a great choice for students interested in history. Interested students may complete the certificate to have this specialization reflected on their transcript. The certificate may be completed by any student currently enrolled in the MA in Library and Information Science and earned alongside the UICB Book Studies certificate and other joint degrees and certificates. Please note that Undergrad to Grad (U2G) students must work very closely with their advisor to ensure completion of this certificate.

Semester Hours

The Certificate in Special Collections Librarianship and Archives includes six courses totaling 18 credits. Students will choose to specialize in either Special Collections or Archives, and this will dictate which classes they take for the certificate. Four courses (12 credits) are the same for everyone in the certificate. Students choose a pathway for the final two courses, electing a special collections/curatorial focus or an archives focus. The special collections track has on-campus opportunities and the archives option can be completed fully online. The required coursework introduces students to the core theories supporting Special Collections and Archives. 

More Information

Traditional incoming students start the Certificate in Special Collections Librarianship and Archives in the Spring of their first year. U2G students may only take Certificate courses during their second "Graduate" year. Information on how to enroll will be emailed to students. For more information, please contact the Coordinator for the Certificate in Special Collections Librarianship and Archives.