Online Graduate Certificate in Archival Studies

Total credit hours per program: 15 credit hours

Cost per credit hour: $490

Total cost with fees: $7,350

Core courses:

• LIS 7408 Introduction to Archival Theory, Principles & Practice | Credit hours: 3
• LIS 7704 Archival Arrangement & Description | Credit hours: 3

Complete one of the following:

• LIS 7504 Preservation Management of Physical Records | Credit hours: 3
• LIS 7505 Introduction to Digital Curation | Credit hours: 3
• LIS 7506: Preservation & Digitization of Audiovisual Materials | Credit hours: 3

Complete two of the following electives:

• LIS 7504 Preservation Management of Physical Records | Credit hours: 3
• LIS 7505 Introduction to Digital Curation | Credit hours: 3
• LIS 7506: Preservation & Digitization of Audiovisual Materials | Credit hours: 3
• LIS 7604 Principles of Records Management | Credit hours: 3
• LIS 7700: History & Theory of Cultural Heritage Institutions | Credit hours: 3
• LIS 7702 Seminar in Archival Appraisal | Credit hours: 3
• LIS 7703 Advanced Seminar in Archives | Credit hours: 3
• LIS 7705: Introduction to Museum Management | Credit hours: 3
• LIS 7909 Directed Independent Study | Credit hours: 3
• LIS 7900: Internship in Library & Information Science | Credit hours: 1-3

The School of Information Studies requires applicants to provide:

1. A resume

2. A statement of purpose of at least 1,000 words that answers the following questions:

1. Why do you want to earn the GC in Archival Studies?
2. What are your career goals and objectives?
3. How will the degree help you achieve these goals?

Please note: GC in Archival Studies does not require letters of recommendation.

In addition, applicants must apply through the LSU Graduate School. The Graduate School's criteria for admission and probationary admission are shown below.

Admission

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university
• A grade-point average of at least 3.0 (“A”= 4.0) on all undergraduate work (or in the final 60 credit hours) and 3.0 on any graduate-level work
• Admission to the certificate program requires a previous graduate degree OR concurrent enrollment in a graduate degree program

Probationary Admission

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university
• A grade-point average of at least 2.75 (“A”= 4.0) on the final 60 hours of undergraduate work and 3.0 on any graduate-level work
• Applicants with a GPA of less than 2.75 for the final 60 hours of undergraduate work must have completed a minimum of nine hours of graduate work with at least a 3.33 GPA to be considered for probationary admission
• Official GRE scores (Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing) no more than five years old of at least 300 composite and 3.5 writing. Other standardized graduate admissions exams will be considered (GMAT, MAT, LSAT, etc.)
• In your Statement of Purpose you must also address the reasons for your lack of achievement as an undergraduate and the reasons you believe you would succeed in the program

Additional information about LSU Graduate admission requirements are located here.

• Archivist
• Processing Archivist
• Manuscript Curator
• Records Analyst
• Records Manager
• Museum Librarian
• Museum Registrar
• Preservationist/Conservator
• Antiquarian Book Specialist
• Genealogical Researcher
• Metadata Specialist
• Digital Projects Researcher

Students who graduate with an online graduate certificate in archival studies will gain the theoretical and practical background necessary for careers in the field.

Students will meet the following learning outcomes:

• Apply contemporary archival theory to practice.
• Advocate for equitable access to archival records reflective of a diverse society.
• Provide sustainable stewardship of archival records.
• Demonstrate professional values and ethics in archival practice.

There are many factors new students should consider when deciding whether to begin their academic degree or certificate program in the summer or during a fall/spring term. Summer modules are shorter (5 weeks) when compared to fall/spring modules (7 weeks). Therefore, a course during a 5-week module requires students to dedicate more time than a 7-week module.

New students that have full-time jobs or family obligations may find it more challenging to begin their degree or certificate program in the summer modules. Graduate School policy requires students maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher to avoid academic probation (“B” or better), and a 2.75 GPA or higher to remain academically eligible. Our online students have told us that summer courses demand they devote more time to their coursework to be successful because of the shorter length of the summer module. Students in summer courses should expect to spend about 25 hours per week on their academic studies.

Online studies provide the flexibility you need to fit your educational goals into your life. Please consider these factors when deciding which start time gives you the best opportunity for a successful beginning to your academic journey.

For more detailed information, you may read the School of Information Studies Graduate Student Handbook. 

Why choose LSU’s online Graduate Certificate in Archival Studies?

Our online certificate in archival studies is a convenient and affordable way to bolster your resume and learn new, valuable skills. After program completion, you may take the Academy of Certified Archivists (ACA) Certification Exam for full or provisional certification.