Specialization in Archives and Records Administration (ARA)

Program Description

This specialization, begun in 1967, is designed to prepare graduate students, primarily in library and information studies and history, for professional archival and records administration positions. The Archives and Records Administration (ARA) track, jointly supported by the School of Library and Information Studies and the Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS), adheres to the curricular guidelines established by the Society of American Archivists (2002). It is administered through SLIS, although some courses are cross-listed with the History Department.

The ARA track

  • prepares students for positions in archives, manuscript repositories, special collections departments, and records management agencies,
  • emphasizes archival theory and the fundamentals of practice, and
  • offers students many venues for learning: lectures, discussions, research, exercises using records and archival materials, practicums, and independent study projects in area repositories supervised by professional archivists.
Admission to the program

Admission to the ARA track:

  • is currently limited to 15 students a year,
  • requires prior written approval of the coordinator of the specialization in archives and records administration, and
  • the decision to admit a student is made at the end of the student's first fall semester, upon completion of LIS 734.

Enrollment is based on:

  • academic performance in LIS 734,
  • background in history and/or other areas relevant to a career in archives and records management (such as information studies, political science, public administration, law, business, or information technology), and
  • commitment to completing the ARA track.

To officially complete the ARA track students must take the required 18-credit hours of core ARA classes as part of the 42-credit hour requirements for the Master of Arts in Library and Information Studies. On completion of the track, a student will receive a certificate (issued by SLIS) stating that they have completed all 6 classes and have satisfied the requirements for the Specialization in Archives and Records Administration.

Requirements for Completion

The basic ARA curriculum consists of a sequence of six required classes taught over a two year period. Students can also extend their education by building archival content into other required and elective courses for their degree, and by selecting complementary courses outside of the SLIS curriculum. The WHS has an active archives automation and digital collections program through which students can learn information technology concepts and techniques.

Please note that students who wish to complete a number of the ARA classes without committing to the archival and records administration specialization may do so. However, only those students admitted to the ARA track can enroll in LIS 977 (The Practice of Archives/Manuscripts Administration) and LIS 976 (Special Problems in Archives/Manuscript Administration).

Highlights

The program gives special emphasis to archival professionalism, the skills required to meet current problems, and analytical thinking and writing.

Although the ARA track is mainly designed to train archivists and other record professionals, it also offers training useful to librarians. Many librarians find themselves faced with historical collections in spite of the fact that they never intended to become archivists. Public libraries often have collections related to the surrounding community or region; special collections departments inevitably become the home for manuscript collections for which no other library department is prepared; business librarians often find themselves expected to identify, store, and access records of ongoing and/or permanent value. In all of these cases, an archival education is useful and may be the added credential that secures a job in a crowded market.

Faculty contacts:

Courses:

Continuing education in archives administration is often offered through the library school's continuing education program. Click below for information on upcoming offerings.

The UW-Madison has an active student chapter of the Society of American Archivists. It provides an opportunity for archives students to take their education beyond the classroom and to foster professional involvement. Click below for information on the chapter and its activities.

Refer to the Archives and Records Administration Handbook for comprehensive information about the specialization.