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As the only archives-focused program in Missouri, this online MLIS is unique and cutting-edge. With specialized curriculum designed to meet the requirements of the Society of American Archivists, the master’s program prepares students to provide long-term stewardship for archival materials in both analog and digital formats — from traditional paper records, photographs, audio recordings and moving images, to email messages, word processing documents and websites.
A graduate of the online archival studies MLIS will be prepared to:
- Take the Academy of Certified Archivists examination, with pre-approved courses;
- Establish archives and records programs facilitating access to community history and identity;
- Maintain policies and practices for ethically responsible collecting and exhibition.
The School of Information Science and Learning Technologies (SISLT) is a proud member of iSchools, an international coalition of leading information schools.
Top-ranked programs in two categories
Mizzou’s online master’s in education programs ranked among the nation’s finest in two U.S. News & World Report 2023 categories.
Quick facts
Official name
Master of library and information science with an emphasis in archival studiesCampus
Program type
Master's degreeAcademic home
College of Education & Human Development | School of Information Science and Learning TechnologiesDelivery mode
100% onlineAccreditation
Higher Learning Commission, Teacher Education Accreditation Council, American Library AssociationCredit hours
39Estimated cost
$19,909.50*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.
Career prospects
Jobs for archival studies MLIS graduates may include
- Archivist
- Records manager
- Collections manager
- Film and video archivist
- Digital preservation librarian
- Photo archivist
- Metadata librarian
- Museum archivist
- Library director
- Access services librarian
Program structure
You can complete this program entirely online. Occasional face-to-face courses and events may be offered. Most library and information science faculty are based in Columbia, MO with faculty in Kansas City.
Courses are semester-based, though some courses are in an eight-week format. Students typically take one or two classes each semester and finish in two to four years. Students who attend full-time typically finish in two years.
Course work includes
- Archival practice
- Appraisal and archival systems
- Data & records management
Delivery
100% onlineCalendar system
Semester-basedTypical program length
2-4 yearsTypical course load
1 or 2 classes each semesterAccreditation
The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The College of Education and Human Development is a member of the Teacher Education Accreditation Council. The library and information science master’s program is accredited by the American Library Association.
Faculty spotlight
Dr. Cynthia Dudenhoffer joined Mizzou in 2021 as an associate teaching professor and program coordinator for the School of Information Science & Learning Technologies. Previously, she held the role of Director of Information Resources and Assessment at Central Methodist University. She has served in many leadership roles locally and nationally, including president of the Missouri Library Association. She also serves as a professional consultant in areas of academic library accreditation, program review, project management, and leadership through innovation. Areas of expertise include emerging technologies in information agencies and data literacy.
Areas of expertise:
- Libraries, archives and museums
- Digital humanities
- Museum archaeology
- Archival studies
- Records management
- History of information