Gain rich expertise suited to hybrid library/archives/records management environments and cultural institutions in the dual Master of Archival Studies and Library and Information Studies (MAS/LIS).
The UBC School of Information’s dual master’s program is a full-time, interdisciplinary, high-demand educational experience in which you complete two graduate degrees (Master of Library and Information Studies and Master of Archival Studies) within an accelerated timeframe.
Students considering this option should carefully read the descriptions for both the MLIS and MAS degrees.
Highlights
- American Library Association (ALA) accredited MLIS program
- Faculty engaged in various research projects, including community-engaged learning, data visualization, social computing and human-computer interaction, Blockchain and AI for trust in recordkeeping; personal recordkeeping and archives
- Strong connections to local and provincial professional communities and industry partners
- Specialization opportunity in First Nations/Indigenous knowledge stewardship; Designing for People; Blockchain@UBC Pathway
- Hands-on experience opportunities, including professional experience, project-based work, and paid co-op work terms
- State-of-the-art learning and research facilities at a world-class university
- First Nations curriculum concentrations
- Data services
- Librarianship
- Community and culture
- Information interaction and design
- Information sources and services
- Digital resource management
- Human-information interaction
- Information analysis and management
- Services and management of information organizations
- Youth services and literature
- Nature of records and archives
- Managing records and archives from creation to preservation, use and outreach records and archival systems
- Selection of records and their acquisition for permanent preservation
- Arrangement and description
- Legal, ethical and professional responsibilities in records management
- Preservation and provision of access
- History of recordkeeping and archives
- Blockchain
- AI and emerging technologies for records preservation
- Personal and community archives
The MLIS program is accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) and was awarded Continuing Accreditation Status (review in 2023). The ALA accredits master's programs in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, and many employers in North America require a degree from an ALA-accredited school for professional positions.
Career outcomes
Our MAS/MLIS graduates work in various environments, including hybrid library/archives organizations, cultural centres, museums and cultural institutions. Graduates enter careers as information managers, librarians, archivists, curators, and records managers. An average of 85% of our graduates are employed within six months.
Student job sectors after graduation
Academic
Public
Private
Government
Other
Non profit
Data from the 2021 iSchool alumni survey
Degree requirements
Your faculty advisor will be able to assist you in selecting electives from both the MAS and MLIS programs.
With the approval of the Graduate Advisor, you may take nine credits of coursework other than those designated 'ARST' and 'LIBR".
A maximum of 6 credits of 300- or 400-level undergraduate courses may count towards your external course credits. Please consult with your faculty advisors on the suitability of course choice if you are interested in taking courses outside of your program.
If you are interested in research, you may elect to write a six-credit thesis; and enroll in either ARST_V 599 or LIBR_V 599.
You must confirm the decision to do so with your Faculty Advisor before the end of the term in which you complete 24 credits of course work.
Consult the course ARST 599 to learn about the guidelines for theses for MAS, MLIS and dual degree candidates.
Transfer to the dual MAS/LIS
You may apply to transfer to the dual MAS/LIS program if you are enrolled in the MAS or MLIS degrees. We have limited spaces for transfer students during each intake, so you should expect a competitive process. Successful applicants will be selected based on academic achievement, personal statement quality, and promise of professional success in the archival and library fields.
If you are considering transferring, discuss your intentions with a faculty member in the program you wish to transfer into (e.g. MLIS students consult with the MAS faculty member) and complete the application form.
Transfer applications are due on February 1st of each academic year. You must apply before completing your first 24 credits of study.
Students accepted in the dual MAS/LIS program may be admitted to start the following September or January, depending on available space.
The relevant admission subcommittee will review applications.
