Special Collections and Archives, Graduate Certificate
This is the first version of the 2026–27 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
The graduate Certificate in Special Collections and Archives requires 18 s.h. of coursework. Students must receive a grade of B- or higher in all certificate courses and a passing score in the SLIS Capstone Portfolio course to obtain the certificate. The certificate may be completed by any student currently enrolled in the MA in Library and Information Science.
Please note that Undergrad to Grad (U2G) students must work very closely with their advisor to ensure completion of this certificate, and it may lengthen time to degree. U2G students may only take certificate courses during their second graduate year.
Students select a focus on either special collections or archives. While the special collections focus has on-campus opportunities, either focus can be completed fully online.
The certificate is designed to prepare students for work in special collections, archives, manuscript repositories, and other organizations that preserve primary source materials. Students who complete the certificate have this specialization reflected on their transcript.
The required coursework for the Certificate in Special Collections and Archives balances foundational knowledge of the history, theory, and ethics of the profession with practical training in the care, use, and organization of special collections and archives, while promoting the development of technological competencies, research skills, and primary source literacies needed for careers working with unique and distinct collections.
Students should express interest in the certificate as part of their application to the Master of Arts in Library and Information Science, and plan to apply in October during their first semester in the program. Students should expect to lengthen their time to degree if they are pursuing both the Certificate in Special Collections and Archives and the Book Arts and Book Studies certificate.
Required Courses
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| SLIS:5630 | Introduction to Special Collections and Archives | 3 |
| SLIS:6350 | Archives: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| SLIS:6355 | Public Services and Community Engagement for Special Collections and Archives | 3 |
| SLIS:6800 | Applied Research in Archives and Special Collections | 3 |
Focus Areas
Students select one of the following focus areas to complete.
Special Collections Focus
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Both of these: | ||
| SLIS:6255 | Rare Book Cataloging | 3 |
| SLIS:6600 | Curation and Collection Development for Special Collections | 3 |
Archives Focus
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Both of these: | ||
| SLIS:6145 | Digital Preservation and Stewardship | 3 |
| SLIS:6700 | Ethical Artificial Intelligence in Cultural Heritage Institutions | 3 |
Required Capstone
This course will be taken in the final semester of a student's MA in Library and Information Science.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SLIS:7900 | SLIS Graduation Seminar | 0 |
Graduate education prepares students with advanced knowledge and skills in specialized fields. At the University of Iowa, the Graduate College advocates for student-centered graduate education and supports equitable application of rules and policies across graduate programs.
Academics
University of Iowa graduate credentials are regulated by policies and requirements found in the Graduate College Manual of Rules and Regulations. This includes minimum grade-point average (GPA) requirements for academic standing and degree conferral. The Graduate College sets the minimum requirement. Individual graduate programs may establish higher GPA requirements.
Admissions
Graduate student applicants must meet admission requirements for both the Graduate College and the program to which they have applied. University of Iowa graduate admission requirements are published by the Graduate College and on the Graduate Admissions website.
Financial Support
Graduate students might be eligible for financial support. Several contingencies apply, including degree program and award type, satisfactory progress toward degree, satisfactory completion of all duties related to an appointment, and availability of funding. Graduate students should inquire directly with their program for more information about funding availability. The Graduate Student Employment Standards govern the employment relationship between the University of Iowa and all graduate teaching and research assistants in all matters except wages, which are covered by an existing collective bargaining agreement or the conditions of an applicable federal grant.