The Certificate in Special Collections Librarianship and Archives allows students in the Master of Arts in Library and Information Science to adapt their skills to the unique challenges of working with rare books, manuscripts, and archives, digitized and born-digital collections, artist’s books, scrapbooks, photographs, zines, and other “unique and distinct” formats.
The required introductory course and four areas of study offer foundational knowledge in areas of history, theory, and ethics, as well as practical training in the care, use, and organization of special collections and archives, all while promoting the development of research skills and primary source literacies needed for careers working with unique and distinct collections.
Broad foundational knowledge of physical and digital special collections might be applied in settings such as academic and public library special collections, rare book libraries, government and corporate archives, historical societies, galleries, and museums, and may prepare students for further graduate study.
Certificate Overview:
The required course work for the Certificate in Special Collections Librarianship and Archives balances foundational knowledge of the history, theory, and ethics of the profession with practical training in the care, use, and organization of special collections and archives, all while promoting the development of technological competencies, research skills and primary source literacies needed for careers working with unique and distinct collections. Certificate completion requires 6 classes (18 semester hours).
Requirements:
The Certificate in Special Collections Librarianship and Archives can be completed as part of the Master of Arts in Library and Information Science, both in-person and online. 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. The certificate can be completed with or without a practicum, though the practicum is strongly recommended for all students to combine their academic studies with hands-on experience in a cultural heritage setting as experience is favored in the job market.
Students should apply for the certificate as part of the application to the Master of Arts in Library and Information Science or may apply in October during their first semester in the program. Students will begin the certificate plan of study in their second semester.
Please note:
- Graduate courses completed may only be used twice; once for a degree and once for a certificate. Therefore, a graduate course counted toward a graduate degree cannot count for two graduate certificates simultaneously.
On-campus students who elect to pair the Certificate in Special Collections Librarianship and Archives with the Center for the Book’s Certificate in Book Arts must apply separately to the Book Arts Certificate in February for the following year, and students completing both should anticipate spending three years in doing so.
Special Collections Librarianship and Archives Certificate Coursework
Students Entering Fall 25
Students Entering Fall 2025 Certificate Requirements
Required Course:
Every student must take the SLIS:5630, Introductions to Special Collections and Archives (Fall and Spring), before or concurrently with one class from each of the Areas of Study below.
Areas of Study (Four courses total):
Choose at least one course from each of the four areas below.
Area 1: Material Culture Research & Analysis
Courses in this area offer students knowledge of primary source literacies and research skills that can be applied to the care, use, and interpretation of unique and distinct collections and supporting the researchers who work with them.
Select from the approved courses below:
- SLIS: 5600/UICB:5600 - Reading Culture: History & Research in Media (3 s.h.)(Fall)
- SLIS:5400 Community Archives (Spring)
- SLIS: 4920/UICB 4920 - The Book in Early Modern Europe (3 s.h.) (In-person only; not offered regularly)
Area 2: Care and Use of Collections
Courses in this area explore the role of the special collections practitioner in the balance between providing access and promoting use of collections. This area is concerned with the day to day functions of working in a cultural heritage environment.
Select from the approved courses below:
- SLIS:6355 Advanced Topics In Special Collections (Example: Public Services for Special Collections and Archives or Collection Development) (3 s.h.) (Spring)
- SLIS: 5530 - Preservation Management (3 s.h.) (Spring)
Area 3: Arrangement, Description, and Cataloging
Courses in this area explore contemporary descriptive practices for special collections and archives.
Select from the approved courses below:
- SLIS: 6350 - Archives: Theory and Practice (3 s.h.) (Fall)
- SLIS: 6255 - Rare Book Cataloging (3 s.h.) (Fall)
Area 4: Digitization & Digital Stewardship
Courses in this area investigate the selection, acquisition, development, preservation, and delivery of digitized and born-digital collections.
Select from the approved courses below:
- SLIS: 6145 - Digital Preservation and Stewardship (3 s.h.) (Spring)
- SLIS: 6335 - Metadata (3 s.h.) (Spring)
Practicum
Practicums focus on the practical application of theory and students gain hands-on experience in LIS work. Students enroll in the SLIS Practicum class, receive academic credit, and work with a faculty member to identify opportunities for working in libraries and other organizations. Students set professional and personal goals, complete 120 hours of work, and participate in classroom conversations. Students must complete the Proposal for Practicum in Libraries and Information Centers form a minimum of two weeks before the beginning of the semester, but should start planning early as some placements have application processes. Begin by contacting Kara Logsden.
Plan of Study Students Starting Fall 2025
Students Entering Fall 2025 Certificate Plan of Study
Year 1 Fall (2025)
- SLIS: 5010 Libraries, Culture, and Society
- SLIS: 6140 Academic Library Public Services and User Technology
- Elective
Year 1 Spring (2026)
- SLIS:6170 Management, Teams, and Leadership
- SLIS:5030 Information Organization
- SLIS:5630 Intro to Special Collections
Year 2 Fall (2026)
- SLIS:6350 Archives, Theory & Practice OR SLIS:6255 Rare Book Cataloging
- SLIS:6115 Research Methods
- SLIS:5600 Reading Culture OR SLIS:5400 Community Archives
Year 2 Spring (2027)
- SLIS:6145 Digital Preservation OR SLIS:6335 Metadata
- SLIS:6355 Advanced Topics: Curation and Collection Development OR SLIS:5530 Preservation Management
- Elective
Students entering Fall 2026 and after
Special Collections Focus (Modality: Online with in-person experiences. For in-person students only)
- Introduction to Special Collections & Archives
- Archives Theory and Practice
- Public Services and Community Engagement for Special Collections and Archives
- Applied Research in Archives & Special Collections
- Rare Book Cataloging
- Special Collections Curation and Collection Development
These courses should be paired with SLIS:5041 College and University Libraries (offered in Fall), or SLIS:5600 Reading Culture (offered in the Fall), SLIS:5530 Preservation Management (offered in Spring), or SLIS:6335 Metadata (offered in Spring) as the one elective to complete the MA.
Archives Focus (Modality: Online. Open to in-person and online students)
- Introduction to Special Collections and Archives (hybrid)
- Archives Theory & Practice (online)
- Public Services and Community Engagement for Special Collections and Archives (hybrid)
- Applied Research in Archives & Special Collections (online)
- Digital Leadership in Cultural Heritage Institutions (online)
- Digital Preservation and Stewardship (online)
One Course Elective: SLIS 6335: Metadata: Theory and Applications or SLIS 5041:College and University Libraries is recommended to complete the MA, but not required to complete the certificate.