Library and Information Science: Cultural Heritage Informatics + History

A group of Simmons students around a table covered with archival materials

Do you love history? Preserve it for future generations

You are passionate about cultural heritage in all forms — including rare books, manuscripts, archives, art objects, and digital information. Simmons offers an exciting opportunity to earn a Library and Information Science (MS): Cultural Heritage Informatics + History (MA).

This dual degree provides foundational knowledge in library science within the context of United States history, politics, and culture. It builds upon Simmons’ top-rated programs in library and information science and archives management.

Thanks to our Boston location in historic New England, you will access resources uncommon in other parts of the country. You may choose to conduct research projects at our many world-renowned libraries and institutions. Our faculty members — established experts — will help you achieve your career goals.

Our dual Master of Arts in History and the Master of Science in Library and Information Science — focusing on cultural heritage informatics — prepares you for careers at heritage institutions. Our graduates manage collections at libraries, archives, museums, and more.

You’ll graduate ready to build collections, make them accessible, and preserve cultural heritage for future generations.

Library Careers at Heritage Institutions

Our graduate students find successful careers in varied settings. Our alumnae/I work at library special collections, archives, museums, historical societies, and many public and private institutions charged with preserving cultural heritage.

Many employers seek out information professionals with advanced communication, historical research, technology, and project management skills. Institutions need these skills and knowledge to build, organize, and preserve cultural heritage collections. 

Common settings of our graduates include archives, colleges and universities, museums and cultural heritage sites, public libraries, foundations, government agencies, and corporations.

The Dual Degree program in History and Library and Information Science (LIS) in Archives Management or Cultural Heritage Informatics consists of a total of 57 credit hours:

  • History: 8 credit hours of required History core courses; 12 credit hours of History electives (400-level or above), and a 4 credit hour History thesis.
  • LIS: 9 credit hours of required LIS core courses; 15 credit hours of required core courses in either Archives Management or Cultural Heritage Informatics; and 9 credit hours of LIS electives.

Full-time students may complete the program in approximately two years. Part-time students must complete the program within six years of enrollment.

History (MA) Program Requirements

Core Courses in History (8 credit hours)

HIST597 Historical Methods 4
AND
HIST527 Archives, History, and Collective Memory 4
OR
HIST568 Seminar in Public History: Sites of History 4

*Students may take these classes as either an LIS elective for three credit hours (LIS 443 or LIS 532I) or as a History elective for four credits (as shown above).

Elective Courses in History (12 credit hours)

The three courses selected must be at the 400-level or above.

Graduate Thesis in History (4 credit hours)

HIST455A History Thesis 4

Library and Information Science (MS) Program Requirements

Core Courses in Library and Information Science (9 credit hours)

LIS407 Information Service, Behaviors & Ethics 3
LIS415 Information Organization 3
LIS488 Technology for Information Professionals 3

Option 1: Five LIS courses in Archives Management (15 credit hours)

Option 2: Five LIS courses in Cultural Heritage Informatics (15 credit hours)

Elective Courses in Library and Information Science (9 credit hours)

Dual degree students will complete three LIS elective courses.

Spotlight on our Students and Alums

Simmons' Beatley Library, photograph by Ashley Purvis

SLIS Student Receives Josephine Forman Scholarship

School of Library and Information Science Student Rai Terry ’26MS was named the 2025 recipient of the Josephine Forman Scholarship.


Sage Loyema Innerarity ’25MS

Centering Native Stories and Decolonizing Archives

Sage Loyema Innerarity ’25MS, Ione Band of Miwok Indians of California, reflects on her time as a Simmons graduate student — living in Boston, finding community, and taking advantage of professional development opportunities.


Sage Loyema Innerarity ’25MS

Simmons Library and Information Science Student and Indigenous Archives Enthusiast Receives Mosaic Scholarship

Graduate student Sage Loyema Innerarity ‘25MS, a citizen of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians of California, is the 2024 recipient of the Mosaic Scholarship given by the Society of American Archivists.


Sage Loyema Innerarity ’25MS

Meet Sage Loyema Innerarity ’25MS: Emerging Trailblazer in Tribal Archives

This fall, Sage Loyema Innerarity, a citizen of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians of California, began graduate studies at the Simmons School of Library and Information Science. Working in cooperation with Indigenous individuals, she builds and preserves tribal archives. Innerarity spoke with us about the importance of community, Native literature, and remembrance.


Karina Sumano and Delaney Sieber

Ifill Graduate Students’ Thesis Presentations: Abolition, Women’s Social Movements, and Southern Baking

On December 15, 2021, Ifill College students from the Graduate programs in History and Gender & Cultural Studies presented their research at the virtual fall 2021 Colloquia. Thirteen students shared their work in front of peers, faculty, family, and friends...


Headshot of Susann Vaeth

Susann Vaeth '18MA Studies Conflicting Narratives Within History

A former high school teacher, Susann now studies the construction of texts used in schools. You recently graduated from the MA in history program at Simmons. What's next for you? I'll be pursuing a Ph.D. at Brandeis University, focusing on...