Jeannette Bastian
- Professor Emerita
Library and Information Science: Archives Management + History
Increasingly, archival employers have recognized that archivists require both technical skills and historical knowledge. Our Library and Information Science: Archives Management (MS) + History (MA) dual degree program combines a firm foundation in library and information science with an understanding of U.S. history and politics.
Do you love history? Preserve it for future generations
Our program helps students pursuing archival positions gain the knowledge they need more efficiently through a dual-degree program in history and archives management. You'll master skills in library and information science, archives management, historical methods and research and history.
Students do internships at Boston institutions such as the Massachusetts State Archives, the Massachusetts Historical Society, the John F. Kennedy Library, the U.S.S. Constitution Museum and Harvard University. You'll also complete a thesis project based on original research.
Ranked among the best
Simmons University is ranked #1 for Archives and Preservation by U.S.News and World Report.
Learn more about the History and Archives Management programs and the benefits of this dual degree.
Since the 1970s, the demand for archivists is expanding as society becomes more aware of the value of preserving our heritage and records. Increasingly, archival employers have recognized that archivists use skills that require both technical training and historical knowledge, and they seek applicants with master's degrees in both library and information science and history.
Archivists collect, appraise, and preserve documents and materials found in manuscripts, moving images and photographs, oral-history recordings, multimedia, government records, and literary correspondence. They work in varied settings, such as public archives, colleges and universities, museums and cultural heritage sites, photographic and film collections, public libraries, foundations, government agencies, and corporations. New jobs have been created in public and private organizations, where archivists establish and maintain proper repositories for larger and more diverse collections of records. Some of these positions have grown out of field placements from archives programs, like the one at Simmons University. Due to its strategic location in historic New England, Simmons offers students access to resources for study and research not found in other parts of the country.
- Processing Archivist: Arrange archival materials in folders and boxes, and create finding aids that describe the contents of a collection.
- Reference Archivist: Assist researchers in finding relevant materials.
- Digital Assets Archivist: Manage the digital holdings of an archive, including digital photographs and computer files. Digitize important collections and maintain online access to these materials.
- Preservationist: Specialize in protecting archival materials from the damage that can arise from weather, environmental conditions, natural disasters, and age.
Ready to take the next step? We'll guide you through the requirements and deadlines — and get you started on your way.
Offered As
- Masters
School/Department
Our Faculty
Steve Berry
- Associate Professor and Department Chair of History
Peter Botticelli
- Associate Professor and Director, Cultural Heritage Informatics Concentration
Sarah Leonard
- Associate Professor
Zhigang Liu
- Professor Emeritus
Katherine Wisser
- Associate Professor and Masters Program Director, Director Archives Concentration, and Director of Archives Certificate Program