Online Archives and Special Collections Certificate

Program-at-a-Glance (Certificate)

Credit Hours:

Total Hours: 18

Cost per Credit Hour:

$519.12

Calculate Your Tuition

Completion Time:

2 semesters

Special Requirements:

Must have MLIS or be enrolled in MLIS related degree to be eligible.

Learn more about this program:

Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and submit the form again.

Do you have any US military affiliation?

Thank you for your interest in Online at Southern Miss!

Ready to take the next step?

Apply Now!

Apply by to Begin by | No Out-of-State Tuition

Discover the world of Archives and Special Collections in the School of Library and Information Science. This fully online archives and special collections certificate relates the subjects of archival history, theory, methods, organization and ethics with an archival practicum. This convenient and affordable course of study can be taken as part of a student’s MLIS degree or as a post-master’s certificate for those holding an MLS from an ALA-accredited program. This is your life, plus college.

Interested in other degrees in this field? Southern Miss also offers a BS in Library and Information Science online degree, and a Master’s in Library and Information Science online degree.

The University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools of Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). That means you can expect a program with the highest standards and quality.

Certificate Description

The 18-credit hour certificate combines online coursework related to archival history, theory, methods, organization, and ethics, with an archival practicum. This course of study can be taken as part of a student’s MLIS degree or as a post-master’s certificate for those holding a master’s degree in a related field. Non-LIS graduate students are required to take LIS 505 – Cataloging and Classification as a prerequisite. Only 12 hours can be counted toward both the certificate and the MLIS degree.

Program Goals / Objectives

To prepare students for careers in archives and related fields such as special collections, museums, and digital libraries.

Required Courses

Course	Credits
Digital Preservation	3 hrs.
Introduction to Archival Theory and Practice	3 hrs.
Introduction to Archival Organization	3 hrs.
Archival Practicum	3 hrs.
Metadata for Digital Collections	3 hrs.

Electives

(Choose One)

Course	Credits
Cataloging Multimedia Objects	3 hrs.
History of the Book	3 hrs.
British Studies: Studies in Librarianship	3 hrs.
History of Libraries and Librarianship	3 hrs.
History of Children's Literature	3 hrs.
Special Problems in Librarianship	3 hrs.

Certificate Assessment

After successfully completing the required coursework, students are required to write a 2500 to 4500-word paper on an approved topic related to archives, special collections, or digitization that is approved by faculty teaching archival-related courses.

Additional Note

Please note that the above information is meant to be a guide and is not official. For further information regarding courses for this degree, see the University Bulletin. Please be aware that not all course choices listed in the University Bulletin are available online. However, sufficient online options are available to complete this degree.

Frequently Asked Questions

What courses are required for the Certificate?

Required courses:
• LIS 646: Special Collections and Archives
• LIS 647: Introduction to Archival Organization
• LIS 648: Archival Practicum
• LIS 675: Seminar in the Organization of Material: Introduction to Digital Libraries
• LIS 675: Seminar in the Organization of Material: Metadata

Electives (choose one):
• LIS 506: Advanced Cataloging and Classification
• LIS 558: Internet Resources and Applications
• LIS 631: History of Libraries
• LIS 634: History of Children’s Literature

Is this program eligible for financial aid?

No, currently the certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid.

Are there any additional requirements other than coursework?

Yes, after completing the required coursework, students are required to write a 2500-word paper on an approved topic related to archives, special collections, or digitization that is approved by faculty teaching archival-related courses.

Who can earn the Certificate?

Graduate students may earn the Certificate while working on their graduate degree or those who have already earned a graduate degree may register as a non-degree student and take classes to earn the Certificate.

Can graduate students in other majors earn the Certificate?

Yes, non-LIS graduate students are required to take LIS 505: Cataloging and Classification as a prerequisite.

How can graduate students in other majors register for courses required for the Certificate?

Non-LIS majors may contact the School of Library and Information Science and request permission to enroll in the required courses.

What other online degrees are offered by Online at Southern Miss?

Please visit our programs page here: https://online.usm.edu/programs/

What are the costs?

As a student enrolled in a certificate program, you are not eligible for financial aid. To find pricing information, click here. For detailed tuition information, click here.

What if I still have questions?

If you still have questions, please visit our FAQ page, or take a moment to fill out our form at the bottom of the screen, and we will reach out to you!

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements
In addition to the requirements detailed in Admission Requirements and Procedures, applicants must submit the following documents:

Statement of Purpose – In a 1-2 page essay, describe your interests in the archival certificate, types of special collections, archives, or repositories of interest, and your potential contributions to the career field.
Résumé

Program Requirements and Academic Policies

After successfully completing the required coursework, students are required to write a 2500 to 4500-word paper on a pre-approved topic related to archives, special collections, or digitization.

See General Degree Requirements and General Academic Information for graduate requirements and expectations.

Print This Page