History/Library Science (HILS)

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Abstract

The Department of History and the College of Library and Information Services coordinate two master's degree programs to meet the need for multi-disciplinary graduate training for archivists, records managers, manuscript curators, rare book librarians, bibliographers, conservation administrators and those wishing to become subject and research specialists in academic, special and/or research libraries. Because of the proximity of the campus to a variety of immensely rich research collections, students are able to gain first-hand experiences through internships that reinforce their classroom instruction.

The sequence of courses leading to the two degrees prepares students to understand the intellectual approach of the research scholar through historic training and to meet those research needs through the information services offered in the College of Information Studies. The coordinated curricula provide four main options: 1) archives and records management; 2) curatorship of historical collections; 3) scholarly editing and publishing; and 4) reference research and bibliographic services. The 54 hours required for the degrees combine 24 hours in each component plus six elective hours. The M.A./M.L.S. is a non-thesis program, but students may choose to write a thesis when such research enhances their program.

Admissions Information

Students must apply for admission to both the Department of History and the College of Information Studies under the rubric HILS (History-Library Science) and be admitted to both. Each has a coordinator who serves as a student adviser. Since many of these courses are offered in sequence, it is important for students to work closely with these advisers. The two degrees are awarded simultaneously, and a student who fails to complete the special requirements for the coordinated degree programs may not receive either degree. If students subsequently wish to receive only one degree, they must transfer from HILS either to the graduate program in History or to the College of Library and Information Services and fulfill the normal requirements for the separate master's degree.

Application Deadlines

	Fall	Spring
Domestic Applicants: U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
Domestic Applicant Deadlines	Applications must be received by December 15 .	This program does not accept applications for this semester.
International Applicants: Applicants from Outside the U.S. or U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents with Non-U.S. Credentials IMPORTANT:   International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with Non-U.S. Credentials must follow the domestic deadlines above if they are earlier than the deadlines listed below.
Applicants seeking admission under F (Student) or J (Exchange Visitor) visas	February 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Feb. 1	June 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
Applicants seeking admission under A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants	May 1 If Domestic Deadline is after May 1	October 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials	May 15 If Domestic Deadline is after May 15	October 31 If Domestic Deadline is after Oct.31

Application Requirements

(Send all required materials to both departments)

1. GRE General
2. 3 Letters of Recommendation
3. Writing Sample (10-30 pages) to History only

Degree Requirements

Master of Arts and Master of Library Science (M.A./M.L.S.)
The Department of History and the College of Information Studies coordinate two master's degree programs to meet the need for multi-disciplinary graduate training for archivists, records managers, manuscript curators, rare book librarians, bibliographers, conservation administrators and those wishing to become subject and research specialists in academic, special and/or research libraries. Because of the proximity of the campus to a variety of immensely rich research collections, students are able to gain first-hand experiences through internships that reinforce their classroom instruction.

The sequence of courses leading to the two degrees prepares students to understand the intellectual approach of the research scholar through historic training and to meet those research needs through the information services offered in the College of Information Studies. The coordinated curricula provide four main options: 1) archives and records management; 2) curatorship of historical collections; 3) scholarly editing and publishing; and 4) reference research and bibliographic services. The 54 hours required for the degrees combine 24 hours in each component plus six elective hours. The M.A./M.L.S. is a non-thesis program, but students may choose to write a thesis when such research enhances their program.

Financial Assistance

A few teaching assistantships are available in the Department of History, and the College of Library and Information Services has some research assistantships and fellowship aid for students in this course of directed study. These are awarded on a competitive basis in both components.

Contact Information

College of Information Studies
Student Services Office Room 4110 Hornbake Library Building, South Wing
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742-4345
(301) 405-2038

Director of Graduate Studies
Department of History
2115 Francis Scott Key Hall
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742-7315 USA
(301) 405-4268

Courses: HIST LBSC