MLIS in Library and Information Science with Emphasis in Archival Studies
The University of Missouri’s Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) program prepares students to be leaders in the information professions. Our fully online program offers the only Master’s Degree in the state of Missouri that has been continuously accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) since 1966/67.
The MLIS emphasis area of Archival Studies will prepare students to work within the expanding arena of archives and records management within the information field. Students will graduate with the credentials of an American Library Association (ALA) accredited library program, which is required to work in most archives and libraries, and the skills and knowledge that they need to work as archivists and records managers.
An archivist selects, preserves, and makes available primary sources that document the activities of institutions, communities, and individuals. Archivists increasingly provide long-term stewardship for archival materials in both analog and digital formats- from traditional paper records, photographs, audio recordings, and moving images, to email messages, word processing documents and websites. The core values of archivists include access and use, accountability, advocacy, diversity, history and memory, preservation, professionalism, responsible custody, selection or appraisal, service, and social responsibility. There are many job listings that articulate the qualifications that students will gain by completing the coursework in the Archival Studies emphasis area.
Degree Requirements
The MLIS program consists of 39 credit hours, including 19 credits of required courses. Elective courses are selected in consultation with faculty advisers.
- Must include 15 credit hours at or above the 8000 level.
- Must include 12 hours of courses taught by a full-time faculty member.
Classes are 100% online, but some classes have a synchronous (real-time interaction) component. Course registration materials will indicate whether a course has synchronous sessions and, if so, the meeting times.
For additional information about planning your Program of Study, see the LIS Student Resources and Courses pages.
| Required Courses to be Taken Before ePortfolio (18 credit hours) | ||
| IS_LT 7305 | Foundations of Library and Information Science | 3 |
| IS_LT 7301 | Library and Information Technology | 3 |
| or IS_LT 7320 | Emerging Technologies in Libraries | |
| IS_LT 7312 | Principles of Cataloging and Classification | 3 |
| or IS_LT 7302 | Organization of Information | |
| IS_LT 7313 | Collection and Access Management | 3 |
| IS_LT 7314 | Reference Sources and Services | 3 |
| IS_LT 7315 | Management of Information Agencies | 3 |
| Required Archives Courses (11 credit hours) | ||
| IS_LT 9490 | Archival Practice | 3 |
| IS_LT 9491 | Appraisal and Archival Systems | 3 |
| IS_LT 9429 | Metadata | 3 |
| IS_LT 7381 | Practicum in Information Agencies | 2-3 |
| Elective Archives Courses (at least 4 credit hours) | ||
| IS_LT 9409 | Seminar in Digital Libraries | 3 |
| IS_LT 9428 | History of Books and Media | 3 |
| IS_LT 9439 | Digital Humanities and Information | 3 |
| IS_LT 9445 | Special Libraries and Information Centers | 3 |
| Required ePortfolio to be taken in final fall or spring semester (1 credit hour) | ||
| IS_LT 9499 | Library and Information Science ePortfolio | 1 |
Sample Plan of Study
A student’s own plan of study will vary depending on their pace in the program and individual choices. A full-time graduate student takes 9 hours per semester, and part-time students may take 3 or 6 hours.
Recommended first classes include IS_LT 7305 Foundations of Library & Information Science and IS_LT 7301 Introduction to Information Technology or IS_LT 7320 Emerging Technologies in Libraries, followed by other required courses. Some electives are offered biannually, so we recommend that students work with their advisor to create a plan of study that meets their expectations. The LIS Tentative Course Rotation document indicates when each class will be offered. Programs of Study (M-1)s for dual degrees and emphasis areas are available on the MLIS Forms page, including the M-1 for the MLIS with Archival Studies emphasis area.
Thesis/Non-Thesis Requirements
No thesis is required for the MLIS.
Comprehensive Examination Process
Prior to graduation, all students must complete a Graduate Examination requiring them to demonstrate mastery of the LIS Student Learning Outcomes. The MLIS assessment is the ePortfolio. ePortfolios support students' ability to demonstrate thoughtful reflection on their time in the Program and what they learned. Students will include artifacts created as part of their coursework during the program and reflect on how each relates to their understanding of the SLOs. Typically, students create their ePortfolio in the last regular (fall or spring) semester.
Practicum
All students are encouraged to complete a two- or three-hour practicum as part of the degree. The practicum is real-world experience in libraries and information agencies. Sometimes the practicum is an experience in another part of a library (public services versus technical services), in another kind of library (special versus academic), or in a different institution entirely (e.g., museums). Students are invited to tailor their practicum experience to their own needs and circumstances, including geography and specific areas you want to explore. For more information, please see our Practicum page.
Admissions
For inquiries about the program or admissions process, contact our Student Services Office: 303 Townsend Hall, Columbia, MO 65211. Email: sislt@missouri.edu Phone: 877-747-5868 or 573-882-4546.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are required to meet two sets of minimum qualifications for admission: the requirements of the MLIS and the minimum requirements of the graduate faculty, enforced by the MU Graduate School.
- Undergraduate GPA (Grade Point Average): Minimum 3.0 in last 60 hours of degree
- GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) for any course work beyond the undergraduate level.
- GRE testing is not required.
- For international applicants, our MLIS requires a TOEFL score of 100 (0-120 scale) or 5 (1-6 scale), IELTS score of 7.5, or a Duolingo score of 130 for all international applicants from countries not listed under Exemptions and Waivers.
How to Apply
- Prepare electronic versions of your resume, responses to essay question prompts, two letters of recommendation, and unofficial transcripts for your previous coursework. If admitted, you will be required to supply official transcripts.
- Apply using MU’s online Graduate Application system. Follow the instructions and upload the requested files.
Deadlines
- February 15, for priority decisions for Fall admission
- May 1, for Fall admission
- October 15, for Spring admission
Admission Decisions
Once all your application materials are complete, we will review them and notify you of the decision. Most decisions are made within six weeks after the deadline date.