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Archives and Records Management (ARM)

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ARM specialization

The Archives and Records Management (ARM) specialization takes the best aspects of traditional archival teaching and research and applies them to novel problems of online access, digital preservation, and electronic records management. You'll learn from five internationally recognized faculty who teach in this specialization, four of whom are fellows of the Society of American Archivists.

Distinguishing features of the specialization include breadth (seven courses in ARM alone), emphasis on modern records and modern technology, and the combination of classroom instruction with practical engagement, providing opportunities for students to stretch the traditional boundaries of archival work.

What can I do with a career interest in archives and records management?

MSI graduates with an ARM specialization are experts in providing organization and accessibility to ever increasing amounts of new information that is created day to day along with vast stores of historical information from personal, educational, medical, legal, commercial, and government domains.

Career Industry Areas: University or public library/special collection, cultural institution, government agency, publishing information repository, consumer goods corporation, service corporation, healthcare

Career Titles: Archivist, librarian, film and video archivist, digital asset manager, database librarian, electronic records manager, digital archivist, metadata specialist

Employment Outlook: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2009-2010, "faster than average employment growth is expected in the field of Archives through the year 2016." Demand for archivists who specialize in  records management will grow more rapidly than the demand for archivists who specialize in older media formats. Those with highly specialized training, such as a master's degree in library science with concentration in archives and records management, practical experience, and extensive technical skills, will have stronger employment prospects.

ARM internships

Students gain valuable experience in southeast Michigan and around the globe. Recent internship sites include:

  • National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
  • Bentley Historical Library
  • Fashion Institute of Technology-Special Collections and Archive
  • Center for Research Libraries
  • Archives of Michigan
  • Library of Congress-Rare Books and Special Collections
  • University of Michigan Libraries
  • Artrain USA
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • Smithsonian Institution Archives
  • Academic of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Herrick Library
  • National Baha’I Archives

In this video, learn what Jarrett Drake, one of our current students, is doing in this area.

MSI-ARM employment outcomes

Organizations employing MSI-ARM graduates have included:

  • Brooklyn Historical Society
  • Houston Museum of Fine Arts
  • ProQuest Information and Learning
  • Congressional Research Service
  • The History Factory
  • Emory University-Library and Archives
  • Ford Motor Co- Records Management
  • Abbott Labs-Library and Records Management
  • University of Michigan Libraries
  • Internet Archive
  • Columbia University Library and Archives
  • Statistics New Zealand

ARM specialization requirements (current for 2012-2013)

In addition to the specialization requirements below, ARM students must meet all of the degree requirements of the 48-credit MSI program, including foundations, distributions, practical engagement, cognate, and electives.

ARM students must complete 15 credits from the list below:
 

  • SI 580: Understanding Records and Archives: Principles and Practices (3, Required)
  • SI 528: Records Management: Principles and Practices (3)
  • SI 629: Access Systems for Archival Materials (3)
  • SI 632: Appraisal of Archives (3)
  • SI 637: Research Seminar on Archives and Institutions of Social Memory (3)
  • SI 640: Digital Libraries and Archives (3)
  • SI 655: Management of Electronic Records (3)
  • Up to 3 credits from an ARM relevant internship may be counted towards the ARM specialization: SI 681: Internship/Field Experience and Seminar in Practical Engagement (6 credits) or SI 690: Internship/Field Experience (1-6.5 credits).
  • Up to 3 credits of Preservation of Information classes can count towards the ARM specialization.  See the PI TAPS for course options.

The ARM faculty coordinator is David Wallace.

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