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.

 

Degree Requirements

The Dual Degree program in History and Cultural Heritage Informatics consists of a total of 57 credit hours.

In the School of Library and Information Science, you will take 9 credit hours of required core courses, 12 credit hours of required CHI courses, and 12 credit hours of electives.

In the History Department, you will complete 8 credit hours of required courses, 12 credit hours of History seminar electives at the 400 level or above, and a 4-credit thesis.

You only need to submit one application to apply to both programs. To successfully apply, you must gain admission to both programs.

As a full-time student, you may complete the program in approximately two years. If part-time, you must complete the program within six years of enrollment.

The core courses in library and information science (9 credit hours)

LIS407
 
Information Service, Behaviors & Ethics3
LIS415
 
Information Organization3
LIS488
 
Technology for Information Professionals3

Five courses in cultural heritage informatics (15 credit hours)

LIS432Concepts in Cultural Heritage Informatics3
LIS438
 
Introduction to Archival Theory and Practice3
LIS477Digital Asset Management3
LIS507Museum Studies3
Choose one:  
LIS439Preservation Management3
OR  
LIS448
 
Digital Stewardship3
OR  
LIS444
 
Digital Preservation3

Three elective courses 9 credit hours)

Students may choose any SLIS courses to complete the degree. Some popular choices

for students in the Cultural Heritage Informatics concentration include:

LIS446Art Documentation3
LIS 447Collection Maintenance3
LIS449Rare Book and Special Collections Librarianship3
LIS451Academic Libraries3
LIS458
 
Database Management3
LIS532QMuseum Studies3

Six courses in the History Department (24 credit hours)

HIST597
 
Historical Methods4
HIST527
 
Archives, History, and Collective Memory4
OR  
HIST568
 
Seminar in Public History: Sites of History4
12 credit hours of history electives at the 400 level or above  
4 credit hours of final thesis  

All dual-degree students must take Collective Memory or Sites of History. Students may take these classes as either an LIS elective for three credits (LIS 443 or LIS 532I) or a history elective for four credits (HIST 527 or HIST 568).

Spotlight on our Students and Alums

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...