The archives and digital content management paths in the School of Information Sciences have seen growth in recent years because of an increased demand in many industries. Workplaces that employ archivists and digital content managers include museums, hospitals, universities, advertising and publishing agencies, technology companies and government offices.

"The education and practical experience in archives I received at Wayne State University provided an absolutely essential foundation for my archival career. Many times throughout my career, I had occasion to refer back to the archival knowledge I received at Wayne to share or draw attention in my work and professional life to archival issues, practices, concepts and ethics." Alumna Kathleen D. Roe, Director of Archives and Records Management, New York State Archives (retired)

Archival Administration Path

The SIS archival program at Wayne State is one of the oldest in the nation. Our longevity and high ranking is due to our commitment to experiential education as well as our innovative curriculum that prepares students for the rigors of professional archival work. Students leaving this program will be equipped with both traditional and digital skills along with many opportunities to network with professionals. 

We provide two options for archival education as a specialization within the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree or by completing the Graduate Certificate in Archival Administration. Students may select any of the archives electives as part of their MLIS course work. Classes may be available both in person and online allowing students to complete the certificate virtually. The Graduate Certificate in Archival Administration is an added credential and is highly recommended for those students who want to be most competitive for professional archivist positions.

Specialization

This area of the school's curriculum addresses how to provide access to, process, manage and preserve materials, including hand-written manuscripts, letters, films, cassette tapes, video tapes, photographs and digital files. Through your coursework you will discover how to properly care for, handle, manage and preserve cultural materials in their various formats.

Students in this specialization will learn:

• How to apply the basic methods of arrangement, description and reference services
• Theories and practices related to the appraisal and acquisition of archival materials
• Methods of preservation of archival materials
• How to work with diverse communities and collections

Graduate Certificate in Archival Administration

The Graduate Certificate in Archival Administration was established both for individuals entering the archival profession and for those with experience in the field.

This certificate is an added credential and is highly recommended for students interested in holding professional archivist positions. It prepares students in three distinct areas of archival professionalism: theory, professional service and cultural heritage.

Today's archivist needs to be trained in traditional theories as well as skilled in digital problem-solving while understanding cultural context and professional demeanor.

Digital Content Management Path

Library and information sciences graduates will be employed by organizations competing in the Information Age which is characterized by rapid change, voluminous data and complex dynamics.

Students who choose the Digital Content Management specialization will gain understanding about the tender state of digitization. The combined pressures of software obsolescence, format changes, media decay and hardware evolution all contribute to the loss of data. Learn how to make decisions about which types of formats to use for long-term storage and longevity.

Students in this specialization will learn:

• To create digital collections and manage digital information
• The skills needed to describe files so that users can find them in databases
• The processes involved in creating digital content
• How digital information is managed including selection, description and project management

Potential Jobs:

• Digital Collections Manager
• Digital Library Specialist
• Web Content Manager

"I truly believe that WSU provided me a quality and well-rounded education that prepared me for my career. I entered into video librarianship at CNN, something I had limited experience in. As a result of my education at WSU, I was able to step into this role, pick up the work quickly and grow my career." Alumna Kelsey Jansen van Galen, CNN Archivist
 

Want More Information?

Thank you for your interest in the School of Information Sciences. We would like to provide you with a Prospective Student Packet that contains useful information about our academic programs and career opportunities in the information profession. 

Please complete this form to receive an information packet by mail as well as a link to download the digital version.

Attend one of our virtual information sessions or contact the School of Information Sciences at asksis@wayne.edu if you have additional questions about the program.