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Public History and Library and Information Science, M.A. & M.L.I.S.

College of Arts and Sciences
College of Information and Communications

Combine your interests in history, curation and information in this degree that prepares students for careers in education, communities, industries, businesses and more.

This program combines respected curriculum, alumni networks and faculty expertise from two colleges at USC. Both the Public History program and the School of Information rank nationally, with this combined program a perfect fit for students seeking specialized skills and career advancement in library and history fields.

Program Highlights

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    ALA Accreditation

    Receive a quality education in library science certified by the American Library Association.

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    Storied History Program

    Our Public History program is one of the oldest and best in the country. You’ll benefit from excellent scholarship and faculty support.

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    Top-Ranked

    USC’s Library and Information School has been ranked in the top 20 of all ALA accredited schools by U.S. News.

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    Dual Preparation

    Gain research skills and a core foundation of best practices in the profession to stand out to employers.

What You’ll Study

Students complete requirements for both degree programs, but with fewer credit hours than completing each program individually. Courses include Foundational Principles of Library and Information Science, Historical Research Methods and Archival Administration. Complete an internship and a portfolio of research and a thesis.

Program WebsiteDegree Details

Building Skills

Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.

  • Analytical Reasoning

    Breaking down complex problems or situations to identify patterns, connections and solutions

    Writing

    Creating professional written content for inclusion in scholarly journal articles, books and reports

    Advocacy

    Promoting or defending a cause or issue often using awareness, education and policy change

  • Database Management

    Organizing and maintaining data in a computer system, including storage, retrieval and security

    Interpersonal Skills

    Communicating and interacting effectively in a variety of social and professional situations

    Research

    Gathering and analyzing information to increase knowledge or solve problems

Using your degree

Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.

Potential Careers

  • Reference Librarian
  • Educator
  • Policymaker
  • Historian
  • Archivist
  • Database Manager

Workplace Settings

  • Historic Sites
  • Education
  • Special Collections
  • Public Organizations
  • Nonprofits
  • Museums

Advanced Degrees

Advance your career or options with post-graduate education.

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Is USC Right For You?

There are many reasons we could be your ideal university. There's the award-winning academics, the globally modeled student life, and abundance of study abroad and experiential learning options. Take a closer look at what USC could mean for you.

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