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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.

Program Type

Master’s

Program Format

On Campus

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Milwaukee is a bustling city and metro area with a smaller town vibe. Located on the shore of Lake Michigan, recreational opportunities abound all year round. Parks, beaches, bike trails, water sports and more are enjoyed by residents.

The restaurant scene is hopping, and Milwaukee is known as a foodie city. From casual to fine dining, food lovers will find no shortage of choices across all types of cuisine.

Milwaukee also hosts countless music and ethnic festivals throughout the year and boasts a large number of concert venues from small intimate clubs to large arenas, all of which bring in today’s hottest acts.

The area offers all of the amenities of any large city at a lower cost than comparably sized areas. Housing choices range from urban city living to suburban homes to rural areas, all within a reasonable commute from campus.

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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

For the MLIS/MA in History, students complete a minimum of 54 credits total for both degrees. Within the coordinated degree program, the minimum requirement for the MA in History is 30 graduate credits, of which 24 must be within History. By completing 30 credits of coursework in SOIS and 24 credits of coursework in History, a student can combine the MLIS with the MA in History. Thus the MLIS/MA in History may be achieved with the completion of 54 credit hours, and the MA and MLIS degrees will be awarded simultaneously.

For the History, MA: Public History, students complete a minimum of 60 credits total for both degrees. The minimum degree requirement for completing the History MA with the Public History concentration is 36 graduate credits, 12 of which must be taken in General History courses, 12 in Public History courses, and the remaining 12 in the chosen area of specialization. Within the coordinated degree program the student may complete the degree requirements for the History MA with the concentration in Public History as follows: 12 credits in General History, 12 credits in Public History, and 6 credits in approved elective courses; the remaining 6 credits of specialization are to be fulfilled within the student's 30 credits of MLIS coursework. Thus, the MLIS/MA in History may be achieved with the completion of 60 credit hours, and the MA and MLIS degrees will be awarded simultaneously.

Library and Information Science (MLIS) coursework

Core Courses
INFOST 501Foundations of Library and Information Science (Core Courses)3
INFOST 511Organization of Information3
INFOST 571Information Access and Retrieval3
INFOST 799Research Methods in Information Studies3
Electives
Select 6 credits in courses satisfying both History MA and MLIS requirements in consultation with faculty advisor6
Select 12 additional credits in graduate SOIS courses in consultation with faculty advisor 112
Total Credits30

Courses satisfying both History MA and MLIS requirements
INFOST 650GAn Introduction to Modern Archives Administration3
INFOST 714Metadata3
INFOST 750Arrangement and Description in Archives3
INFOST 752Archival Outreach: Programs and Services3
INFOST 753Preserving Information Media3
INFOST 855Advanced Appraisal3
1

Students pursuing the Public History option must select 6 of these credits of SOIS electives from the list of courses satisfying both the MA in History with a concentration in Public History and the MLIS. See table below under Public History.

General History: Thesis Option

HIST 712Historiography and Theory of History3
or HIST 713 Historical Research Methods
Select 6 credits in two colloquia (800-level courses) 26
Select 6 credits in two seminars (900-level courses)6
HIST 985Master's Capstone6
Select 3 credits in History electives in consultation with the student’s advisor3
Total Credits24

General History: Master's Essay Option

HIST 712Historiography and Theory of History3
or HIST 713 Historical Research Methods
Select 6 credits in two colloquia (800-level courses) 26
Select 6 credits in two seminars (900-level courses)6
Select 9 credits in History electives in consultation with the student’s advisor9
Total Credits24
2

Students may take 3 credits of either HIST 716 or HIST 717 as a substitute for 3 credits in one colloquium.

Public History

General History
Select 6 credits in colloquia (800-level courses) 36
Select 6 credits in seminars (900-level courses) 36
Public History
Students are advised to complete these two courses in the first year:
HIST 700Public History Seminar3
HIST 715Research Methods in Local History3
Students also complete the following, generally taken at any point after the second semester:
HIST 701Graduate Internship in Public History 46
Select 6 credits in History electives at the graduate level6
Select 6 credits from among the following courses approved for both the MLIS and the MA in History: Public History (if not already taken to satisfy MLIS)6
INFOST 650G
An Introduction to Modern Archives Administration
INFOST 714
Metadata
INFOST 750
Arrangement and Description in Archives
INFOST 752
Archival Outreach: Programs and Services
INFOST 753
Preserving Information Media
INFOST 855
Advanced Appraisal
Total Credits30
3

As a substitute for one colloquium or seminar, students may take 3 credits of either HIST 716 or HIST 717 or another appropriate course, which must be approved in advance by the Public History Director.

4

Students must take a total of 6 credits of HIST 701, and this requirement is generally completed as two 3-credit internships. However, an individual internship may be taken for 1 to 6 credits. Unless granted an exception by the program faculty, students complete their 701 internship(s) after having taken both HIST 700 and HIST 715.

Teaching Assistantships are the primary form of financial support for history graduate students. These positions provide a salary and tuition remission. Some small scholarships are also available. Click below for more details.

Contact

Prospective Graduates

Questions regarding the application or the application process should be directed to the UWM Graduate School at gradschool@uwm.edu or 414-229-6569.



Current Graduates

Questions about research opportunities, department funding opportunities, or issues specific to the discipline should be directed to Joe Rodriguez.