Archival Studies

Graduate Certificate

Department of Appalachian Studies

Safeguarding the Stories That Shape Our World

The Graduate Certificate in Archival Studies at East Tennessee State University provides students with professional training in the preservation, organization, management, and interpretation of historical records and documentary materials. Grounded in both archival theory and practical application, the program prepares students to work with collections that document the cultural, institutional, and historical experiences of communities and organizations.

Students gain experience in archival methods, records management, preservation, and digital stewardship while developing the research and technical skills needed for work in archives, libraries, museums, historical organizations, and other cultural heritage institutions.

The certificate may be completed as a stand-alone graduate credential or alongside a graduate degree program.

Why Study Archival Studies at ETSU?

Develop Professional Archival Skills
Students gain graduate-level training in archival management, preservation practices, and records stewardship while building the practical skills needed to manage and maintain historical collections in professional settings.

Learn Archival Organization and Description
Coursework introduces students to professional standards and best practices for arranging, organizing, and describing historical records and documentary materials to ensure long-term preservation and accessibility.

Explore Digital Preservation
As archives increasingly manage born-digital and digitized materials, students examine digital preservation strategies, records management practices, and emerging approaches to maintaining access to historical collections in digital environments.

Work with Primary Sources and Special Collections
The program emphasizes engagement with primary source materials, manuscripts, special collections, and institutional records while helping students understand the historical, cultural, and research value of archival materials.

Prepare for Diverse Career Paths
The certificate prepares students for professional opportunities in archives, libraries, museums, historical organizations, government agencies, and cultural heritage institutions where archival expertise and records management skills are increasingly in demand.

Complement Graduate and Professional Study
The Graduate Certificate in Archival Studies pairs well with graduate study in history, Appalachian studies, public history, library science, museum studies, and related disciplines, providing specialized professional training that enhances interdisciplinary academic and career goals.

Program Benefits


Flexible Online Coursework
The Graduate Certificate in Archival Studies is designed to accommodate working professionals and graduate students through a flexible online format that allows students to balance coursework with professional and personal responsibilities.

Interdisciplinary Learning Opportunities
Students benefit from coursework that connects archival studies with history, Appalachian studies, public history, museum studies, library science, and cultural heritage preservation.

Practical and Career-Focused Training
The program emphasizes real-world archival skills and professional practices that prepare students for work in archives, libraries, museums, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.

Specialized Professional Credential
Earning a graduate certificate demonstrates advanced training and specialized expertise in archival studies, helping students strengthen their professional qualifications and career opportunities.

Preparation for a Changing Field
Students explore both traditional archival methods and emerging approaches to digital preservation, records stewardship, and access to historical materials in evolving information environments.

Pathway to Advanced Graduate Study
Certificate coursework may complement or support future graduate study in related disciplines while helping students build expertise in archival and preservation practices.

Certificate Requirements: 18 credits

  • Required Courses: 12 credits 

    AVST 5310 - Archives History, Theory, and Current Issues (3 credits)
    AVST 5311 - Archives Principles and Practices (3 credits)
    AVST 5312 - Archives Conservation (3 credits)
    AVST 5330 - Digital Archiving (3 credits)

  • Advisor Approved Electives: 6 credits

    Students must take two courses from the list below:
    AVST 5315 - Topics in Archival Studies (3 credits)
    AVST 5320 - Principles and Practices of Records Management (3 credits)
    AVST 5570 - Archives Practicum (3 credits)
    APST 5957 - Special Topics in Appalachian Studies (1-3 credits) (when topic is relevant)
    CSCI 5317 - Internet and Computer Law (3 credits)
    HIST 5950 - Introduction to Historical Research (3 credits)
    HIST 5540 - Public History: Theory and Practice (3 credits)
    HIST 5957 - Topics in History (1-6 credits) (when topic is relevant)
    MEDA 5000 - History and Philosophy of Librarianship (3 credits)
    MEDA 5400 - Technology in Teaching and Learning (3 credits)
    MEDA 5720 - Cataloging and Classification (3 credits)
    PMGT 5140 - Public Organization Theory (3 credits)
    PMGT 5160 - Public Budgeting and Finance (3 credits)
    PMGT 5300 - Not-for-Profit Resource Development (3 credits)

Whether you are preparing for a career in archives, enhancing your current profession, or pursuing a deeper understanding of records preservation and cultural stewardship, ETSU’s Graduate Certificate in Archival Studies can help you achieve your goals.

For more information about admissions, curriculum, and career opportunities, contact the Department of Appalachian Studies today.