MA/MLIS in Digital Humanities

In this inter-faculty joint degree program, students may complete the Master of Library and Information Studies (MLIS) degree in conjunction with the Master of Arts (MA) in Digital Humanities degree. This is a thesis-based degree program, which typically extends over three years of full-time study. For additional information, please see the Digital Humanities website.

Prior to July 01, 2018 MA Digital Humanities (DH) was known as MA Humanities Computing (HUCO).

Frequently Asked Questions about the MA/MLIS combined program.

MA/MLIS Program Requirements

The School of Library and Information Studies and the Digital Humanities program offer a combined MA/MLIS that students can complete within three years. The combined program is offered on-site at the University of Alberta and requires ★45 and a thesis for completion (★18 from MA program and ★27 from MLIS program).

Please Note: Students in an on-campus MLIS program cannot take courses designated for students in the online MLIS. Course listings in Bear Tracks will indicate if a course is restricted to online or on-campus MLIS students.

Required MLIS Courses

  • LIS 501: Foundations of Library and Information Studies
  • LIS 502: Organization of Information
  • LIS 503: Reference and Information Services
  • LIS 504: Leadership and Management Principles for Library and Information Services
  • LIS 505: Research Methods for Library and Information Studies
  • LIS 597: Seminar in Advanced Research

NOTE: The MLIS requirement to complete two designated Information Technology courses is fulfilled by content covered in the Digital Humanities courses.

Required MA Courses

  • DH 500: Survey of Digital Humanities
  • DH 510: Theoretical Issues in Digital Humanities
  • DH 520: Technical Concepts & Approaches in Digital Humanities
  • DH 530: Project Design & Management in Digital Humanities

Tentative Course Schedule

Students will typically take three courses per term at ★3 each (or equivalent) with the sixth and final term designated for the thesis. 

All students must take LIS 501, DH 500, and DH 520 in the first term of their program, as these provide a context for all of the other courses in the program.

  • Year 1 – 3 DH + 3 SLIS courses (6 total)
  • Year 2 – 2 DH + 4 SLIS courses (6 total)
  • Year 3 – 1 DH + 2 SLIS courses (3 total) + THESIS
Tentative term breakdown
FIRST TERM
(Fall)

1. DH 500 – Survey of Digital Humanities
2. DH 520 – Tech. Concepts and Approaches
3. LIS 501 – Foundations of Library and Information Studies

SECOND TERM
(Winter)
4. DH 530 – Project Design and Management
5. LIS 505 – Research Methods for Library and Information Studies
6. SLIS Elective
THIRD TERM
(Fall)
7. LIS 502 – Organization of Knowledge and Information
8. LIS 503 – Reference and Information Services
9. LIS 504 – Management Principles for Library & Information Services
FOURTH TERM
(Winter)
10. DH 510 – Issues in Digital Humanities
11. DH Elective
12. SLIS Elective
FIFTH TERM
(Fall)
13. LIS 597 – Seminar in Advanced Research
14. SLIS Elective
15. DH Elective
SIXTH TERM
(Winter)
THESIS

*Electives are determined on a rotation therefore suitable electives may not be offered. Consult with your advisor.

OTHER INFORMATION

Advisors + Supervisors

At the time of admission, each student is assigned a Program Advisor who will provide advice and counselling in adapting the program to match career goals and objectives. Students should also consult the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Graduate Program Manual, the University Calendar, and the Digital Humanities website for additional information.

Ethics + Academic Citizenship Requirement

The Ethics and Academic Citizenship Requirement, which replaces the Academic Integrity and Ethics Training requirement, provides foundational ethics education for all graduate students. The requirement for masters students consists of one zero-credit, self-paced online course: INT D 710: Ethics and Academic Citizenship.

There is no additional tuition or fees for the course, and it does not impact full-time or part-time status. 

Timelines for Completion

The timeline for completion of the Ethics and Academic Citizenship Requirement will depend on several factors, including when the student began their program and when they expect to complete their program. See the requirement flowchart for more information. 

Time Limits for Completion
The time required to complete the combined program may vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of research undertaken; however, the program is designed to be completed within 36 months. Students must complete all program requirements within six years.