Graduate Certificate in Digital Curation

Digital curation in library

Gain the technical knowledge and skills you need to create, curate, preserve and manage digital collections in a fast-changing environment.
 

About the Certificate

The four-course, 12-unit Graduate Certificate in Digital Curation combines intensive, hands-on technology learning with a thorough grounding in the theoretical principles needed to curate and preserve large, complex digital collections.

This certificate may be completed on main campus or through Arizona Online.

The certificate may be taken online, making it available to those currently employed or seeking new career opportunities in the information professions. The curriculum takes a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to curating and preserving digital information and is designed to support a wide range of career paths, especially involving libraries, museums, archives, records management and data curation.

The rapid growth of digital collections and online services has led to a shortage of information professionals who possess the technical knowledge and learning skills needed to create, curate, preserve and manage digital collections in a fast-changing environment. Additionally, graduate certificates are recognized as a means for professionals with advanced degrees to update their knowledge and skills. This certificate also offers a path for those with undergraduate degrees who are interested in digital collections, but who may not yet be ready to commit to a full degree program.

Request Information

For more information about the Graduate Certificate in Digital Curation, complete the form below or contact us at infosci-grad@arizona.edu.

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Certificate Requirements

All coursework for the Graduate Certificate in Digital Curation is conducted online, with no residency requirement. The certificate consists of four semester-long graduate-level courses to be taken within four years. You may begin the program in the fall or spring semesters each year. A total of 12 units is required for completion of the program.

Courses do not have to be taken in numerical order, although the Capstone is normally taken last.


Curriculum

The following two courses are required for the Graduate Certificate in Digital Curation:

Up to 12 units can be shared between the Graduate Certificate in Digital Curation and a University of Arizona master's degree. Up to 6 units can be shared between this certificate and the Graduate Certificate in Archival Studies. Units cannot be shared among all three programs, however.


Technology Requirements

This certificate requires access to a computer and internet connectivity with specifications beyond the minimum requirements for most College of Information Science courses. Ensure you have the necessary hardware, software and network connectivity to meet the technical requirements.

There are no formal prerequisites for the certificate program, but you should already be reasonably proficient at finding resources on the Web and performing routine tasks using word processors and spreadsheets. You should feel comfortable with your current operating system (e.g., Windows or Mac OS) and know how to create and organize files and folders, install and configure peripherals such as printers and other hardware devices, and do basic troubleshooting when problems occur.

Some courses in this program will require:

  • A Windows (Win7/Win8/Win10) or Intel-based Mac (OS-X) computer that you have administrator rights on to install virtualization software.
  • Reliable broadband internet connectivity (typically cable or DSL connections; download speeds of one megabit or more are preferred).
  • At least 20 GB of free hard drive space or access to second internal or USB external hard drive)
  • A minimum of 2 GB RAM for Mac or 3 GB RAM for Windows 7/8/10 systems. Depending on individual configurations, you may need to install more than these minimums. 

At least two weeks prior to the start of the program, you should contact the instructor and provide a list of the equipment you propose to use. If you have questions about any particular item, especially ones you might need to purchase, your instructor will be happy to review your selections and suggest options.


Admissions

Application Deadlines

Domestic Applicants

  • Fall Semester: February 15
  • Spring Semester: October 15
  • Summer Semester: March 15

International Applicants

  • Fall Semester: February 15
  • Spring Semester: September 1

How to Apply

To apply, you must complete the University of Arizona Graduate College online application. Follow these steps:

  1. Create a GradApp account
  2. Complete your GradApp profile under "My Account".
  3. Select "Apply to a Program" from the sidebar.
  4. Choose "Graduate Certificate" under application type and then choose the certificate you are interested in.
  5. Choose the semester during which you wish to enter the program.
  6. Your application should now be initiated under "My Active Applications."

Admission Requirements

Applications to our certificate programs are reviewed by our Certificate Coordinator. To be admitted, you must meet the minimum requirements of the University of Arizona Graduate College, which include:

  • A bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona or from an accredited college or university recognized by the University of Arizona
  • A grade point average of 2.75 or higher

View All Graduate Certificate Admissions Information


Policies & Resources

Learn more about resources and policies applicable to graduate certificate students, as well as additional academic resources for new and current students, on our Graduate Certificate Policies and Procedures page:

View Graduate Certificate Policies & Resources

Ready to transform your future with a College of Information Science graduate certificate?

Learn more about our graduate certificates by contacting us at infosci-grad@arizona.edu, or review the admissions process and begin your application now:

Start Your Application