In collaboration with several other academic units at UW-Milwaukee, SOIS offers students the opportunity to obtain two Master’s degrees concurrently—one in Library and Information Science (MLIS) and one in a subject area.
Degree Requirements
- The number of degree credits needed for each of the coordinated programs is usually 12 fewer than the sum of the two programs if they were not taken simultaneously. All degree requirements of each component must be satisfied.
- The MLIS portion of the coordinated degrees can be completed online.
- Prerequisite to the award of either degree in this program is the simultaneous award of its counterpart degree.
MLIS Component
The Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) component of each of the coordinated programs includes 30 credits of SOIS courses. These include the MLIS core courses (12 credits). The remaining 18 MLIS credits are selected from the School’s offerings in accordance with the student’s goals in the coordinated degree program.
MLIS/MA History
The Master of Arts in History/Master of Library and Information Science program consists of 54 credits.
Graduates of the program are qualified to assume positions as archivists and staff members in libraries, museums, universities, governmental agencies, and industry. For those who pursue employment opportunities beyond archives in such institutions, knowledge of how to store, classify, and retrieve archival material will be a valuable set of skills that enhance the qualifications of the information professional.
Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.
Credits and Courses
Basic Required MLIS Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 12 | |
| Foundations of Library and Information Science | ||
| Organization of Information | ||
| Information Access and Retrieval | ||
| Research Methods in Information Studies | ||
| Other MLIS courses | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Important
You must refer to the catalog pages of both individual master's programs to ensure that you meet all requirements for both degrees.
History Courses
Within the coordinated degree program, the minimum requirement for the MA in History is 30 graduate credits. Course distribution requirements are the same as those for General History Option A or Option B above, but the 3 elective credits for Option A and 6 of the elective credits for Option B can be selected from the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| INFOST 650 | An Introduction to Modern Archives Administration | 3 |
| INFOST 750 | Arrangement and Description in Archives | 3 |
| INFOST 752 | Archival Outreach: Programs and Services | 3 |
| INFOST 759 | Fieldwork in Archives and Manuscripts | 1-3 |
| INFOST 850 | Seminar in Modern Archives Administration | 3 |
These elective credits also can be used to satisfy degree requirements for the MLIS. For both Option A and Option B, at least 24 credits must be taken in History graduate courses.
General History Option A: Thesis Option
Minimum degree requirement is 30 graduate credits, at least 24 of which must be taken in History. Required credit distribution:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 712 | Historiography and Theory of History | 3 |
| or HIST 713 | Historical Research Methods | |
| Select 6 credits in two colloquia 1 | 6 | |
| Select 6 credits in two seminars | 6 | |
| Select 6 credits in thesis | 6 | |
| Select 9 credits in electives in consultation with the student’s advisor | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
Students may take 3 credits of either HIST 716 or HIST 717 as a substitute for 3 credits in one colloquium.
General History Option B: Non-Thesis Option
Minimum degree requirement is 30 graduate credits, 24 of which must be taken in History. Required credit distribution:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 712 | Historiography and Theory of History | 3 |
| or HIST 713 | Historical Research Methods | |
| Select 6 credits in two colloquia (800 numbers) 1 | 6 | |
| Select 6 credits in two seminars (900 numbers) | 6 | |
| Select 15 credits in electives in consultation with the student’s advisor | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
Students may take 3 credits of either HIST 716 or HIST 717 as a substitute for 3 credits in one colloquium.
Academic Review and Comprehensive Examination Reading List
Within the first semester after completing 9 credits (including two of the following courses: HIST 712, HIST 713, a colloquium and/or seminar), Option B students are subject to an academic review. The Review is a one- to two-hour meeting involving the student, the student’s Major Professor and two other members of the History Graduate Faculty who will serve as examiners for the student’s comprehensive exam. With the assistance of his or her Major Professor, the student must prepare a reading list for the comprehensive exam in advance of the Review. The Review involves an evaluation of the student’s academic progress in master’s coursework, two unrevised course papers, and the reading list for the comprehensive exam.
Additional Requirements
Comprehensive Examination
The student must pass a written and oral comprehensive examination.
Thesis (Option A)
Not required, but with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies in History, the student may substitute a thesis for the comprehensive examination requirement. MA/MLIS students who write a thesis are subject to the Academic Review and Thesis Prospectus requirements outlined above for Option A.
Time Limit
The student must complete all requirements for the coordinated degree within seven years of initial enrollment.