MLIS - Archival Studies Online - The University of Alabama

Program Overview

With a Master of Library and Information Studies from The University of Alabama, you’ll be prepared for leadership in libraries and other information-focused environments.

Online Program Format

36 Credit Hours

$480 Tuition Per Hour

Preserve Historical Records for Future Generations

The concentration in Archival Studies complements the MLIS program by focusing on the theory and practice of working with archives. The curriculum provides a solid foundation for you to competently handle rare books, manuscripts, traditional records and digital media.

Live, interactive classes are 100% online and taught by the same renowned faculty who teach in our main campus program. The Archival Studies concentration offers a variety of electives, allowing students to tailor their coursework to their individual career and academic goals.

Application Deadline	May 15 for the fall cohort; Nov. 16 for the spring cohort
Application Priority Deadline	Feb. 1 for the fall cohort; Oct. 1 for the spring cohort
Accreditation	American Library Association (ALA)
Orientation Required	Yes
Scholarships and Grants Available	Discover a range of scholarships and grants to support your educational journey

Curriculum

The MLIS program requires a minimum of 36 credit hours, including 18 credit hours of Archival Studies concentration coursework and the 9-hour C&IS elective requirement.

Please note that courses are subject to change.

All MLIS students who enroll in Fall 2025 or later must complete, as part of the minimum 36 hours, the following 6 hours of required courses in the first two semesters of enrollment:

LS 500 Information Science and Technology
LS 501 Information in Communities

In addition, MLIS students must choose and complete one 3-hour Management core course and one 3-hour Technology core course from the following approved list for a total of 12 credit hours of required courses:

Technology Core (Choose one)

BA 505 Introduction to Digital Design (New course starting Fall 2025)
LS 504 Technology Integration in Youth Libraries (New title starting Fall 2025)
LS 552 Digital Preservation
LS 560 Information Technologies
LS 562 Digital Libraries
LS 563 Linked Data
LS 564 Prog. Digital Libraries
LS 566 Metadata Fundamentals
LS 569 Database Management

Management Core (Choose one)

LS 508 Management Theory and Practice
LS 530 Public Libraries
LS 531 Academic Libraries
LS 532 School Media Centers
LS 533 Spec Lib & Info Centers
LS 535 Records Management & Admin (New title starting Fall 2025)
LS 630 Div Leadership in Info Orgs (New course number starting Fall 2025)

All MLIS students who enroll in Fall 2019 or later are required to complete the comprehensive portfolio.

Archival Studies Concentration Requirements (in addition to MLIS requirements)

LS 555 Introduction to Archival Studies (3 credits; must be taken during first fall semester)
LS 556 Intellectual Foundations of Archival Theory and Practice (3 credits)
LS 557 Archival Appraisal (3 credits)
LS 558 Archival Representation, Access and Use (3 credits)
Approved archival studies electives (6 credits)
- LS 535 Records Management
- LS 562 Digital Libraries
- LS 564 Programming for Digital Libraries
- LS 565 Social Media and Informatics
- LS 566 Metadata
- LS 570 Internship
- LS 581 Universal Design for Information Technologies
- LS 582 Race, Gender, and Sexuality in Library & Information Studies
- LS 583 Social Aspects of Information
- LS 590 Courses Applicable, advisor approved, special topics courses may be applied to the archival studies specialization
- LS 598 Directed Research
- CIS 656 Electronic and Contemporary Publishing

Electives

C&IS Elective Requirement (9 hours)

Students can choose between a variety of 500-600 level courses offered within the College of Communication and Information Sciences.

Admission

Applications are accepted year-round. If you are interested in the program, we strongly encourage you to apply as soon as possible. All application materials must be received before the priority deadlines. Applicants will be reviewed if there is space available in the cohorts.

National online cohorts begin each fall or spring with priority deadlines for admission being February 1 (for Fall) and October 1 (for Spring) and final deadlines for admission being May 15 (for Fall) and November 16 (for Spring). Newly admitted students are expected to attend a virtual orientation in August for the fall cohort or in January for the spring cohort.

To be considered for admission to the program, applicants must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 overall for the last 60 semester hours in a degree program, based on a 4.0 system. The MLIS degree program requires a minimum of 36 semester hours of credit. We do not require a bachelor’s degree in a specific field in order to apply for the program.

A complete application consists of the following items:

Application Form
Statement of Purpose
Resume or curriculum vitae
Application Fee
Transcripts
Two (2) letters of recommendation (these letters should be professional or academic in nature, speaking to your ability to succeed in the MLIS program*)

(*) Applicants who wish to be considered for a Graduate Council Fellowship must submit two (2) academic letters of recommendation from instructors who have taught them in undergraduate and/or graduate courses. Without two (2) academic letters of recommendation, applicants will not be considered for a Graduate Council Fellowship.

Please contact Joi Mahand at 205-348-1524 or wwmahand@ua.edu for additional questions about the application process.

Find more information and learn about restrictions related to this degree program that may exist regarding licensure in the state in which you reside.

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