Archives Track

Training in historical methodology provides a crucial foundation for practicing archivists in the 21st century. Thus, students in the Archives Track earn an MA in History with a concentration in Archives, rather than an MA in Library and Informational Science with a concentration in Archives. Today, in an age in which information is created in various forms at exponential rates, archivists must learn to preserve and provide long-term access to materials and also learn to create, present, and archive history online. As technologies rapidly evolve, archivists must continually learn new technological skills throughout their career. Acquiring and mastering research and critical-thinking skills in History, rather than learning only technical skills, provides archivists with a vast and deep foundational knowledge and subject area expertise. This imbues them with an invaluable and transferable skill: the ability to assess and recognize the intrinsic research value to collections.

Affiliated faculty teaching classes in archives in the History MA Program include:

• Alfie Paul, MLS, MA, Director, Archival Operations at the National Archives in Waltham
• Veronica Martzahl, MLS, MA, Digital Records Archivist at the Massachusetts Archives    
• Joanne Riley, Interim Dean of University Libraries at UMass Boston
• Andrew Elder, Interim University Archivist and Curator of Special Collections at UMass Boston
• Marta Crilly, MLS, MA, Archivist for Reference and Outreach, Boston City Archives   

The mission of the UMass Boston Archives Track within the History MA program is:

• To provide students with a firm theoretical knowledge and hands-on training to prepare them to become professional archivists with technical skills, subject-area knowledge, research skills, and abilities to manage archival collections and electronic records
• To provide students with practical experience in archives, special collections libraries, historical societies, and cultural institutions
• To provide a space for students, faculty, and professional archivists to collaborate on digital archives and exhibits that increase public access to collections

Students in the Archives Track have the option of writing a Thesis or a Capstone. All archives students should consult with the Director of the Archives Program about their final project and whether they should write a Thesis or a Capstone.

Click here to learn more about "Stark & Subtle Divisions: A Collaborative History of Segregation in Boston".

For questions about the Archives Track please contact:

Jessica Colati
Schedule a consultation
[email protected]
McCormack Hall 4-418

For more information about the Certificate in Archives, click the link on the left.

• Completed UMass Boston online admission application
• Application fee: $60
• An official high school record, leaving certificate and/or graduation examination results or their notarized copies. All documents in foreign languages must be translated by a certified professional. Records must be sent directly from the institution to be considered official.
• Academic recommendation letter (from a school-based counselor and/or teacher)
• 500-word essay
• Test scores

If you seek admission to UMass Boston as an international student, we strongly encourage you to apply online by submitting either the UMass Boston Web Application or the Common Application

Please be sure to send us your application and all required materials by the posted international application deadline.

If you experience any technical problems with the application, please email us immediately at [email protected].