Outreach College

UA Home • Contact • Registration

Distance Learning:

Course Information & Schedules :: Digital Information Management Certificate

Certificate in Digital Information Management

About the Certificate Program

There is a great demand today for librarians, archivists and other information professionals who can work in a digital environment. This certificate program will serve students interested in acquiring the theoretical knowledge, conceptual frameworks and practical skills required to create and maintain collections of digital information.

SIRLS’ Certificate Program in Digital Information Management is designed both for new students interested in digital information as well as working archivists, librarians and other information professionals who want to acquire new skills.

Admission Requirements

In general, and unless otherwise noted, administrative requirements for the post-baccalaureate certificate in Digital Information Management are the same as for matriculated students in the School of Information Resources and Library Science Master’s program. The major exception is that the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is NOT required. All university and Graduate College policies apply. Key policies are summarized below.

Certificate students must apply through UA Outreach College, completing forms as necessary for SIRLS, the Outreach College and the Graduate College.

Admission to the SIRLS post-baccalaureate certificate program is granted by the director of SIRLS upon recommendation of the SIRLS Certificate Committee and the Graduate College. To be admitted, prospective students must meet the requirements of both the Graduate College and SIRLS. In addition, they must submit separate applications to the Graduate College and to SIRLS.

Applicants must have:

• A bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona or from an accredited college or university recognized by the University of Arizona (Graduate College and SIRLS requirement)
• A grade-point-average of 3.0 or higher (Graduate College and SIRLS requirement)
• Two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s academic abilities and/or professional potential and who can speak to the student's ability to complete a graduate program and the student's interest and commitment to the library and information profession.
• A written statement of introduction and interest in the certificate program
• A resume or curriculum vitae

Application Process

You must complete two separate applications, one to the UA Graduate College and one to the School of Information Resources and Library Science (SIRLS) through the Outreach College.

Step 1: Apply to the graduate college online.You must apply online; do not submit a paper application. There is a $50 processing fee for the application.. See http://grad.arizona.edu/Prospective_Students/Application_Procedures/How_to_Apply.php. During the application process, when prompted for Type of Application, choose Certificate. When prompted to choose the program of study, select Digital Information Management (Certificate NDP).

Other Graduate College Requirements:

• IMPORTANT! If you are an Arizona Resident, you must complete a domicile affidavit form (http://grad.arizona.edu/documents/admforms/domaff.pdf) if you wish to have in-state (Arizona) status. All students are considered out-of-state residents until domicile affidavits are processed. Mail or FAX the form directly to the Residency Classification Office.
• IMPORTANT! In-state students who also receive financial aid may fall under Proposition 300 guidelines. Refer to the FAQ at http://www.registrar.arizona.edu/residency/prop300/ to determine whether Proposition 300 applies to you and whether you will need to provide additional documentation of residency. This is the students' responsibility.
• International applicants must complete a financial guarantee form (http://grad.arizona.edu/documents/admforms/fingua.pdf) and TOEFL scores.
• The University of Arizona requires verification of measles and rubella immunity for all students born after 12/31/56. For more information and instructions for filing the appropriate form, visit http://www.health.arizona.edu/webfiles/health_services_immunization_requirements.htm. Waivers are granted under special circumstances for students who attend classes virtually and never visit the UA campus. Contact the UA Outreach College at 520-626-2079 or 800-478-9508 or email distance@email.arizona.edu for further information on the waiver process.

Step 2: Apply to SIRLS by mail. You must complete a separate application to SIRLS for admission to the Digital Information Management Certificate program. There is no fee for this application. There is currently no automated online application. To complete the SIRLS application, download, print and fill out the short paper application at http://outreachcollege.arizona.edu/pdf/dist/sirls_cert_app_form_072.pdf.

You also need to gather and include with your application to SIRLS:

1. Two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic abilities and/or professional potential and who can speak to your ability to complete a graduate program and your interest and commitment to digital information management profession. There is no form for these letters.
2. TWO official (sealed) transcripts from EACH college or university attended.
3. A resume or curriculum vitae.
4. A written statement of introduction discussing why you are interested in the program. The written statement should be no more than three to four double-spaced pages in length. It should describe your interest in the program, how you think the certificate will support your career objectives, your current level of proficiency with technology and your personal approach to learning new technologies and keeping up-to-date as technology changes.

Mail the SIRLS application and these materials (including transcripts) to:

University of Arizona Outreach College - Distance Learning
P.O. Box 210158
888 N. Euclid Avenue
University Services Bldg Rm. 301
Tucson, AZ 85721-0158

Note: Current and former SIRLS student must still complete a separate application and attach copies of all requested materials including sealed transcripts.

Step 3 (optional): If you also want to apply for one of the available scholarships from IMLS, then include the application for Digital Certificate financial aid in the SIRLS admissions package, which you can download, print and fill out at http://outreachcollege.arizona.edu/pdf/dist/sirls_scholarship_app.pdf. Attach a Statement of Need, not to exceed 500 words, detailing reasons for seeking financial assistance and areas of special interest within information resources and library science.

Academic Advising

Students will receive advising from the program coordinator for the certificate program and from others affiliated with the program.

Course Requirements and Schedule

The DigIn Certificate consists of six required three-credit graduate courses:

• IRLS 671 Introduction to Digital Collections
• IRLS 672 Introduction to Applied Technology (includes two week mandatory orientation module prior to the official start of class)
• IRLS 673 Managing the Digital Information Environment
• IRLS 674 Preservation of Digital Collections
• IRLS 675 Advanced Digital Collections
• IRLS 676 Capstone

Courses are scheduled in the following sequence:

Year	Summer	Fall	Spring	Summer
2007-2008	Pre-session orientation module IRLS 672 Introduction to Applied Technology	IRLS 671 Introduction to Digital Collections IRLS 673 Managing the Digital Information Environment	IRLS 674 Preservation of Digital Collections IRLS 675 Advanced Digital Collections	IRLS 676 Capstone
2008-2009	Pre-session orientation module IRLS 672 Introduction to Applied Technology	IRLS 671 Introduction to Digital Collections IRLS 673 Managing the Digital Information Environment	IRLS 674 Preservation of Digital Collections IRLS 675 Advanced Digital Collections	IRLS 676 Capstone
2009-2010	IRLS 672 – Intro to Applied Tech	IRLS 671 Introduction to Digital Collections IRLS 673 Managing the Digital Information Environment	IRLS 674 Preservation of Digital Collections IRLS 675 Advanced Digital Collections	IRLS 676 Capstone

Two courses are offered each summer: the first course, IRLS 672, Introduction to Applied Technology is offered the first summer along with the orientation module, and the capstone course, ILRS 676 is offered the following summer. Other required courses are offered in the fall and spring. Students typically complete the certificate program in four or seven consecutive semesters by electing to take one course each in the fall and spring semesters over two years, or two courses concurrently in the fall and spring over one year.

Students on a four semester track take IRLS 672 in the first summer, 671 and 673 in the fall, 674 and 675 in the spring, and 676 the following summer.

Students on a seven semester track take ILRS 672 in the first summer, 671 in the first fall, 674 in the first spring, no courses in the second summer, 673 in the second fall, 675 in the second spring, and 676 in the third summer.

Instructional sessions are based on 14 weekly modules. In the fall and spring, there is usually a week off for Thanksgiving and Spring break. DigIn courses do not run exactly concurrently with regular UA semesters. The following tentative dates are subject to change:

Term	Start	End
Fall 2008	9/2/2008	12/14/2008
Spring 2009	1/26/2009	5/10/2009

 

All coursework for the Certificate in Digital Information Management must be completed within three years. Students must take at least one class each fall and spring until the certificate is completed or request a UA leave of absence in order to preserve matriculated status.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for DigIn courses parallel those charged for the School of Information Resources and Library Science Master's program. For detailed up-to-date information, consult the University of Arizona tuition and fees web page or contact UA Outreach College directly.

Approximate rates for Academic Year 2007-2008 are shown below. Please note that Tuition and fees are subject to change.

In-State Tuition Rates (Academic Year 2008-2009)
One course	$1,451
Two courses	$2,902

 

Out-of-State Tuition Rates (Academic Year 2008-2009)
One course	$3,537
Two courses	$7,074

Out-of-state tuition is not charged during the summer but is assessed in courses delivered during the fall and spring semesters.

Additional Information