What follows is a description of the required sequence of courses for individuals pursuing the archives and records management specialization within the MLIS degree that will be in effect for students matriculating in the Fall 2006 Term.

Archives and Records Management students must take the following five MLIS core requirements:

•   LIS 2000 Understanding Information (must be taken in the Fall term)
•   Archives Core Requirement in Organization Area (LIS 2224 Archival Representation)
•   Archives Core Requirement in Information Retrieval Area (LIS 2223 Archival Access, Advocacy, and Ethics)
•   Archives Core Requirement in Management (LIS 2220 Archives and Records Management)
•   Archives Core Requirement in Information Technology  (LIS 2600 Introduction to Information Technologies)

The sequence of courses is required for all students who wish to focus on archives and records management studies within the MLIS degree program.

A part-time course sequence is represented below as well. Some students complete the program as part-time students, usually taking two courses a term. All students, whether full or part-time, must plan on starting their studies in the Fall term.

Archives and Records Management students may be given permission to audit courses (and they are encouraged to do this as a way of learning about related areas of library and information sciences pertinent to the work of a records professional).

Archives and Records Management students must declare themselves  to be in this specialized track by October 15th of the term by completing a form that can be downloaded below and handed into their academic advisor. 

Required Sequencing for Archives and Records Courses for Full Time Students

The sequencing of courses provides a rigorous grounding in archival theory, methodology, and practice.

The first term builds a foundation in basic knowledge in archival studies as well as an orientation to the variety of archival programs and career opportunities. 

The second term provides advanced courses in the basic archival functions – appraisal, access and reference, advocacy and public outreach, digital preservation, and representation; the courses in the second term also allow students to understand the political, public policy, and ethical dimensions of archival work.

The third term enables students to learn about a particular institutional setting (the museum) and its recordkeeping and information systems, one form of a recording technology (moving images), management issues and approaches via the need to implement preservation programs, and archival and records management practice via field experience in a local Pittsburgh area repository or institution.

Required Sequencing for Archives and Records Courses for Part Time Students

Students in the archives and records management specialization can do the program part-time, but, since most of these courses are offered only once during the academic year, it is required that students take two courses each term of study (this also will enable students to follow a coherent course of study).

The first academic year of study enables students to acquire a firm grounding in archival principles and practices.

The second year of study enables students to explore in greater depth preservation management and technology issues.