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Master of Archival Studies/Master of Library and Information Studies

Degree Offered: M.A.S./M.L.I.S.

The dual degree program is designed to allow students to earn both a Master of Archival Studies (M.A.S.) and a Master of Library and Information Studies (M.L.I.S.) within a reasonable period of time (generally between three and five years). Students considering this option should carefully read the descriptions, including the sections regarding undergraduate preparation for each of the two individual degrees. Students who wish to complete the Dual Degree program should indicate this as early as possible, preferably on their application submitted to the School prior to admission, or following admission by speaking to a faculty advisor.

Admission

Application Deadlines

For September admission:
Domestic/International students: January 15
Supporting document deadline: February 1

For January admission:
Domestic/International students: June 1
Supporting document deadline: June 15

Prospective applicants may address inquiries and applications for admission to the Program Assistant, School of Information. Specify the dual M.A.S./M.L.I.S degree program.

The program accepts only students whose personal and academic qualifications appear to make them suitable for successful practice in library, archival, and information professions.

The program has a limited enrolment. The number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of available places. In recent years, those accepted have shown academic ability above the minimum required standard specified below.

Students who are applying for the dual degree program must be admitted to both the M.L.I.S and the M.A.S. programs. For admission to the M.L.I.S program and the M.A.S. program, a candidate must:

  1. possess a four-year bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) from a recognized university in a discipline acceptable to the Admissions Committee for the program;
  2. have achieved a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC) in third- and fourth-year level courses of a bachelor's degree; and
  3. show promise of superior professional performance as attested by letters of reference and the UBC iSchool questionnaire.

Applicants to the program from international institutions will be considered on a case-by-case basis for eligibility. An applicant possessing a bachelor's degree or its academic equivalent who does not meet the requirements of point two above should contact the School's Educational Services Coordinator for information regarding possible qualifying coursework.

Language Requirement

See the Master of Library and Information Studies or Master of Archival Studies degree programs.

Supervision

Candidates admitted to the Dual Degree program will register in the School and will be assigned an advisor from each program.

Program Requirements

The two master's degrees, M.A.S. and M.L.I.S., are awarded on the completion of a total of 81 credits of work approved by the School. Students must complete the following:

  • A total of 81 credits. Of these, at least 36 must be ARST and 36 must be LIBR. The remaining nine credits can be a combination of ARST, LIBR, or other approved courses.

Core Requirement: Within the total of 81 credits, each student must take the core courses in both M.A.S. and M.L.I.S. programs:

  • M.A.S. Core: ARST 500, ARST 510, ARST 515, ARST 516, ARST 555, ARST 573, and (3 credits each for a total of 18 credits)
  • M.L.I.S Core: LIBR 506, LIBR 507, LIBR 508, and LIBR 509 (3 credits each for a total of 12 credits)

Appraisal Requirement: (M.A.S.): All students are required to take ARST 520.

Management Requirement (M.L.I.S.):All students are required to take a minimum of 6 credits of courses in the organizational management area, drawn from the following courses: LIBR 504, LIBR 570, LIBR 571, LIBR 572, LIBR 573, LIBR 574, LIBR 575, LIBR 576, LIBR 577, and LIBR 578. Graduate or upper undergraduate level organizational management courses taken outside the M.L.I.S. program may be used to satisfy up to 3 credits of this requirement, with permission of the Graduate Advisor.

Students in the Dual M.A.S./M.L.I.S. program must meet all of the stated academic regulations of both the M.A.S. and M.L.I.S. programs in order to remain in the program. A student who fails to meet any of these must withdraw from the program. Students in the Dual program will start in either the M.A.S. or M.L.I.S. Core, depending on when they enter the School of Information. Students who begin the Dual program with the M.L.I.S. Core must successfully complete all Core Requirement courses before they can take any ARST courses. Students who begin the Dual program with the M.A.S. Core courses must complete all Core Requirement courses before they can take any LIBR courses. To complete the requirements of the degree, students can take up to 12 credits other than those designated “ARST” or “LIBR” at UBC.


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