Dual Master Degree of History and Library & Information Science (HiLS)

Curriculum:

Complete 54 credit hours of coursework:

• 24 credits with INFO to earn your MLIS degree; this includes a field study OR thesis
• 24 credits with the Department of History; this includes an exam OR thesis
• 6 credits are electives selected by the student

Learn more about the MLIS curriculum components and the History curriculum components.

Create a schedule that works for you:

We offer both in-person and online classes, daytime and evening, allowing you the flexibility to create a hybrid schedule that works for you. We do not offer this program fully online.

As a student in the program, you can choose to participate full-time and earn your dual degree in as little as three years – or take your time and set your own pace (up to five years).

Dept. of History Fast Facts

• The UMD Department of History’s fifty faculty members form a community of accomplished scholars whose specialties examine cultures across the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe and whose chronologies stretch from antiquity to the late modern.

HILS Awards

• During the 2023-2024 academic year, the History and Library Science & Information Science Dual Degree Program was honored with the Program Award for Graduate Student Mentorship from the Graduate School at UMD. This prestigious accolade recognizes our department’s commitment to excellence in mentorship, based on strong criteria including a robust Statement of Expectations for Graduate Student Mentoring and exceptional feedback from our graduate students on faculty mentoring and advising through the gradSERU survey.

MLIS Fast Facts

• Distinguised MLIS faculty include Professor Paul Jaeger, Professor and AIC Director Richard Marciano, Professor Mega Subramaniam, and more
• The prestigious Center for Archival Futures (CAFe) and Advanced Information Collaboratory (AIC) create more hands-on learning opportunities for students

MLIS National Rankings

• #2 in USA – MLIS Online (TheBestSchools.org)
• #4 in USA – MLIS Program Overall (U.S. News & World Report)
• #5 in USA – School Library & Youth Focus Areas (U.S. News & World Report)
• #6 in USA – Archives & Preservation Focus Areas (U.S. News & World Report)

LIS Scholarship Rankings

• 2021 Paul Jaeger #1, John Bertot #5 in US for LIS publication prestige
• 2020 Paul Jaeger #1, John Bertot #1 (tied) contributors to public library research internationally 1983-2018
• 2020 Paul Jaeger #1, John Bertot #3, Ursula Gorham #9 contributors to public library research internationally since 2010

MLIS Accreditation

• Fully accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). Graduating from an ALA-accredited program provides flexibility in the types jobs you can apply for and enhances career mobility. Many employers require an ALA-accredited master’s degree for professional level positions, and some states require an ALA-accredited degree to work as a professional librarian in public or school libraries.

Students gain skills in historical methodology and library and information science practices, preparing them for careers in libraries, archives, museums, and other information centers in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. For the MLIS degree that is earned as part of the History and Library & Information Science (HiLS) dual-degree, it is fully accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). Graduating from an ALA-accredited program provides flexibility in the types jobs you can apply for and enhances career mobility. Many employers require an ALA-accredited master’s degree for professional level position

“Having experience with historical research and writing combined with a really robust education on theory and practical skills related to libraries and archives gave me a unique perspective when for a career in archives.” – Emily Frazier, HiLS Student Fall 2020

Career paths: Librarians, Records Managers, Archivists, Museum Curators, Collections Officers

Graduates work at: Library of Congress, Smithsonian Institution, Department of Justice, National Geographic, and National Archives and Records Administration. The Department of History also maintains a list of graduate placements for HiLS Program graduates.

Graduate placement rate: (2021 UMD Career Center survey): 96.5% placement (employment or continued education); 95% of graduates report that their education at the UMD INFO College supported their career goals.

Meet an alumnus: Tyler Stump (HiLS 2015), Appraisal and Accessioning Archivist at the Pennsylvania State Archives

Field study placements at world-renowned information institutions in the Washington, DC area help HiLS students find competitive jobs. Students also study directly under top faculty and industry professionals.

Our students have additional opportunities for hands-on learning at the INFO College’s world-renowned research centers and labs, faculty led research centers such as the Advanced Information Callaboratory (AIC), and the Department of History research centers, such as the Miller Center.

With a history of activism, the UMD INFO College continues today to champion accessibility, diversity, inclusion, and democratization of information. Our faculty, staff, and 2600+ students come to us from over 61 countries and create a welcoming and encouraging environment. 43% of our students identify as female and 66% of our students identify as Asian (29%), Black (24%), Hispanic/Latino (9%), American Indian or Alaskan Native (<1%), Pacific Islander (<1%), or Biracial (4%). Diversity and inclusion are central to the mission of the college, with many of our courses, research projects, events, and community partnerships designed to address challenges and promote inclusion of historically excluded communities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Virtual Information Sessions

Tuition

• In-State (Maryland resident) tuition and fees will amount to approximately $51,000 to complete 54 credit hours.
• Out-of-State tuition and fees will amount to approximately $104,000 to complete 54 credit hours.

View our detailed breakdown of tuition & fees.

Financial Aid

The UMD INFO College provides financial aid to select current students who demonstrate academic excellence. Students may also reduce their tuition costs by serving as a TA or GA at UMD, but please note that these positions are competitive. There are also additional sources of financial aid offered by the University and by outside sources. Learn more about financial aid.

The History and Library & Information Science (HiLS) dual-degree program is the result of a cooperative agreement between INFO College and the UMD Department of History that allows students to graduate with both an MLIS and an MA in History. Students apply to the HiLS program for fall semester admission and must be formally admitted by both the INFO MLIS program and the Department of History.

Application Deadline:

The deadline to apply to the HiLS program is in early January each year for admission to the following Fall (August) semester. A new cohort starts each Fall. We do not have Spring semester admissions for the HiLS program.

Application Requirements:

• Must have earned a 4-year baccalaureate degree
• 3.0 GPA on prior undergraduate or graduate work
• GRE score is not required
• A TOEFL,  IELTS, or PTE score is required for international applicants (more information below)
• Complete the UMD Graduate School application
• Complete the supplemental MLIS application of four questions (max 200 word responses each)
• $75 application fee

You will be required to submit TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores if you do not hold a degree from a U.S. institution or from one of the English speaking countries. Please check on the list of English speaking countries and options for providing evidence of English proficiency here.

• Note: Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens but the TOEFL/IELTS/PTE is required.
• See the Graduate School’s English Language Proficiency Requirements for instructions on submitting scores. The University of Maryland’s TOEFL Institution Code is 5814.
• You can find English language proficiency requirements here. Please note that your English proficiency scores (including listening, writing, reading, and speaking sub-scores) must satisfy the criteria for full enrollment to be accepted to the HCIM program. HCIM is a very rigorous program that requires an excellent command of the English language. Therefore, Bridge and Intensive English programs are not an option for applicants to the HCIM program. Please see the minimum English Proficiency Scores Requirements for full HCIM admission:
  • iBT TOEFL: Total 96 (Speaking 22, Listening 24, Reading 26, Writing 24)
  • IELTS: Overall 7 (Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 7, Speaking 6.5)
  • PTE: Total: 68 (Writing 68)

More About HiLS Admissions