The University of the West Indies, Mona

Programme Overview

The primary objective of this programme is to offer, for the first time, postgraduate-level education in archives administration and records management within the Caribbean. At present, there is no formal training available in the region for aspiring archivists. Individuals seeking such education must pursue studies abroad, primarily in North America and the United Kingdom, where the costs are often prohibitively high. This lack of accessible local training has significantly hindered the development of the profession across the Caribbean. Importantly, this programme will also create a vital academic space for the critical examination of Caribbean memory and recordkeeping practices, shaped by the region’s unique historical and cultural experiences.

Entry Requirements

Admission to the programme will normally require:

• At least a Lower second class honours degree BA /B.Ed. preferably in Humanities or the Social Sciences 
• Previous work experience in an archives or an information unit will be an asset but is not compulsory. 

Duration

Full-time students will take TWO (2) academic years to complete the programme: ONE (1) year to complete all required courses and ONE (1) year part-time to complete the Research Paper.

Part-time students will take THREE (3) academic years to complete the programme: TWO (2) years to complete all required courses, and ONE (1) year part-time to complete the Research Paper.

Programme Layout

• Registration Form

Summary Core Courses    -21 credits
Practicum                              -3 credits
Research Project                  -6 credits
Electives                               -6 credits
Total                                     -36credits

Year 1- Semester I
Core Courses: (3 credits each)

ARCM6001 - Foundations of Library and Information Studies
ARCM6003- Preservation of Archival Materials in Tropical Environments
ARCM6010 - Methods of Inquiry for Archives and Record Keeping

Year 1- Semester II
Core Courses: (3 credits each)

ARCM6002 - Acquisition,Organizationand AccessofArchivalMaterials
ARCM6004- Records Management in the Digital Age
ARCM6008 - Digital Preservation and Curation

Year 1- Semester III
Core Course: (3 credits each)

ARCM6005 – Practicum in Archive and Records Management 


Year 2- Semester I

Students are required to take ONE (1) core course and TWO (2) electives as follows:

Core Courses: (3 credits each)

ARCM6006 - Memory and Recordkeeping in the Caribbean

Electives 

ARCM6007 - Preserving and Managing Sound and Visual Media
ARCM6011- ArchivalAdvocacyandCommunityArchivesintheCaribbean
ARCM6012- Information Governance: Philosophy, Strategies & Applications
ARCM6013- Information Rights and Workflow Management


Year 2- Semester II
Core Courses: (6 credits)

ARCM6009 – Research Paper

Year 2- Semester III

ARCM6009 – Research Paper (Continuing) 

Students are expected to begin working on their Research Paper which should be submitted at the end of the 3^rd semester – (Summer Term)