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Online Graduate Certificate in Archival Studies

Total Credit Hours

15

Cost Per Credit Hour

$485

Application Deadline:

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Expand Your Opportunities In The Archival Profession.

Students pursuing careers as archivists and records managers need formal credentials to set themselves apart in an increasingly competitive job market. The Online Graduate Certificate in Archival Studies (CARST) at LSU Online provides students the core knowledge to advance in the archival studies field. With a curriculum structured around the Society of American Archivists Guidelines for a Graduate Program in Archival Studies, students are well-equipped to compete for positions in a range of institutions possessing archival collections. The online CARST can be taken as a post-master’s certificate or as part of a student’s graduate degree. Students that complete the certificate program are eligible to take the Academy of Certified Archivists (ACA) Certification Exam for full or provisional certification. Additional information on the School of Library & Information Science Graduate Programs can be found here.

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Affordability

We offer a variety of ways to help you pay for your degree including financial aid, scholarships, employer tuition reimbursement, and veteran’s education benefits.

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Dedicated Support

Receive world-class customer service through a personal coach from application to graduation.

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Convenience

Complete the degree 100% online and on your time while balancing work, family and other responsibilities.

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Learn From The Best

LSU’s professors are recognized as leaders in their fields, ensuring that the online experience is as rewarding as that of an on-campus classroom.

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The convenience of the online program with the focus of the Archival Studies certificate made this the right adventure at the right time. I have always been a stubborn student, but the varied coursework and support of the teaching staff has allowed me to discover new pathways of thought and depths to explore. So much, in fact, that I am not sure if this is the end of the line for my education."

April Bozada-Armstrong
2022 MLIS and CARST Graduate

Explore This Program

Cost

Total credit hours per program: 15 credit hours

Cost per credit hour: $485

Total cost with fees: $7,275

The total cost above does not include transfer credit or financial aid. Cost per credit hour and fees are subject to change. Fee schedules may vary by program depending on course-specific fees for proctoring and/or books. Please contact a Student Success Coach for more information.

Course Listings

Core courses:

  • LIS 7408 Introduction to Archival Theory, Principles & Practice | Credit hours: 3
  • LIS 7704 Archival Arrangement & Description | Credit hours: 3

Complete one of the following:

  • LIS 7504 Preservation Management of Physical Records | Credit hours: 3
  • LIS 7505 Introduction to Digital Curation | Credit hours: 3
  • LIS 7506: Preservation & Digitization of Audiovisual Materials | Credit hours: 3

Complete two of the following electives:

  • LIS 7504 Preservation Management of Physical Records | Credit hours: 3
  • LIS 7505 Introduction to Digital Curation | Credit hours: 3
  • LIS 7506: Preservation & Digitization of Audiovisual Materials | Credit hours: 3
  • LIS 7604 Principles of Records Management | Credit hours: 3
  • LIS 7700: History & Theory of Cultural Heritage Institutions | Credit hours: 3
  • LIS 7702 Seminar in Archival Appraisal | Credit hours: 3
  • LIS 7703 Advanced Seminar in Archives | Credit hours: 3
  • LIS 7705: Introduction to Museum Management | Credit hours: 3
  • LIS 7909 Directed Independent Study | Credit hours: 3
  • LIS 7900: Internship in Library & Information Science | Credit hours: 1-3

Admission Requirements

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:

  1. Why do you want to earn the GC in Archival Studies?
  2. What are your career goals and objectives?
  3. How will the degree help you achieve these goals?

Please note: GC in Archival Studies does not require letters of recommendation.

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

Admission

  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
  • 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 an accredited college or university
  • 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

For information on the application process, application fees and deadlines, and application processes for international students, see the Graduate School website.

Career Opportunities

  • Archivist
  • Processing Archivist
  • Manuscript Curator
  • Records Analyst
  • Records Manager
  • Museum Librarian
  • Museum Registrar
  • Preservationist/Conservator
  • Antiquarian Book Specialist
  • Genealogical Researcher
  • Metadata Specialist
  • Digital Projects Researcher

What Will I Learn?

Students who graduate with an online graduate certificate in archival studies will gain the theoretical and practical background necessary for careers in the field.

Students will meet the following learning outcomes:

  • Apply contemporary archival theory to practice.
  • Advocate for equitable access to archival records reflective of a diverse society.
  • Provide sustainable stewardship of archival records.
  • Demonstrate professional values and ethics in archival practice.

Why Choose This Program?

Why choose LSU’s online Graduate Certificate in Archival Studies?

Our online certificate in archival studies is a convenient and affordable way to bolster your resume and learn new, valuable skills. After program completion, you may take the Academy of Certified Archivists (ACA) Certification Exam for full or provisional certification.

When To Begin

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. 

Ready to reach your goals?

Take the first step forward by completing the form and our enrollment team will contact you soon to discuss:

  • Additional information on the Graduate Certificate in Archival Studies online program
  • Financial aid options (employer funding, military benefits)
  • Receiving credit for past education (transfer, professional development)
  • The admissions process and timeline

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