Online Graduate Certificate in Records and Information Management

Total credit hours per program: 15 credit hours

Cost per credit hour: $490

Total cost with fees: $7,350

Three required courses:

• LIS 7604: Principles of Records Management | Credit hours: 3
• LIS 7612: Information Governance | Credit hours: 3
• LIS 7909: Directed Independent Study | Credit hours: 3*

Complete two electives from the following:

• LIS 4511: Information Architecture | Credit Hours: 3
• LIS 7505: Introduction to Digital Curation | Credit hours: 3
• LIS 7508: Management of Knowledge-based Assets in Organizations | Credit hours: 3
• LIS 7618: e-Discovery | Credit hours: 3

*Students with at least one year of full-time work experience in the field of Records & Information Management are allowed to substitute LIS 7618 e-Discovery for LIS 7909 Directed Independent Study. 

Applicants must apply through the LSU Graduate School. All application materials must be received by the application deadlines. In addition to the LSU Graduate School required materials, 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:

• Why do you want to earn the GC in Records and Information Management?
• What are your career goals and objectives?
• How will the degree help you achieve these goals?

Please note: GC in Records and Information Management does not require letters of recommendation.

The Graduate School's criteria for admission and probationary admission are shown below.

Admission

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited college or university or the equivalent from a foreign institution
• 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

Probationary Admission

• A Bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited college or university or the equivalent from a foreign institution
• 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.

• Records Manager
• Records Analyst
• Records and Information Manager
• Records and Information Management Analyst
• Enterprise Content Manager
• Enterprise Content Management Analyst
• Information Governance Officer
• Records and Information Governance Manager/Analyst/Specialist
• Electronic Records Manager/Analyst/Specialist
• Digital Assets Manager/Analyst/Specialist

Students who graduate with an online graduate certificate in records and information management will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to effectively create and maintain an institution’s records.

Students will meet the following learning outcomes:

• Demonstrate an understanding of key concepts, principles, procedures, and best practices associated with records and information management.
• Develop strategies to cope with current issues related to records and information management.
• Critically evaluate records and information management programs

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 Records and Information Management?

This online certificate is offered as part of the online MLIS program or as a separate graduate certificate. Since the program was created in partnership with ICRM, you can fast-track your career as a Certified Records Analyst (CRA) or Certified Records Manager (CRM).