Archiving is the practice of both digitally and physically storing, preserving, and managing historical records and documents of an organization or an institution in order to keep them ready for the future. Archivists can find careers in various fields and spheres including libraries, government institutions, businesses, museums, and even hospitals. For these pieces of training, you can check out the list of archival online courses.
Proper archiving not only includes the collection and organization of documents and data but also includes taking essential measures for risk mitigation and the formation of a backup for all of the documents archived. Organized archiving can help in the seamless flow of information and documents and will help in the smooth day-to-day functioning of your organization.
List of 12 Best Archival Online Courses and Certificate Programs
Here are some of the best archival online courses and certificate programs that you can try to enrich your knowledge.
1. Indigenous Record Keeping and Archives – Australian Society of Archivists
This online course will help you to understand the distinct requirements of indigenous recordkeeping and archiving and will help you to learn about reports and recommendations that are related to indigenous Record keeping in Australia. Moreover, the curriculum of this course will help you develop the necessary skills and knowledge for working efficiently in an archival institution.
Course Highlights:
- Get introduced to the social and historical matters related to indigenous archives.
- Learn about previous archived sources related to general and Torres strait islander people.
- Learn about the importance of specific protocols and processes for indigenous recordkeeping.
- Learn how community concentration is important for indigenous recordkeeping.
- Learn about the importance of cultural competency for establishing engagement in indigenous recordkeeping programs.
Course Duration: Self Paced
2. A Trauma-Informed Approach to Managing Archives – Australian Society of Archivists
This online course is second on the list of archival online courses and will help you develop a trauma-informed approach to archival services by helping you learn about key concepts and principles behind such an approach and will help you apply the same in your practice. The curriculum of this course will help you develop a clear understanding of a trauma-informed approach and help you discover the efficiency of this approach.
Course Highlights:
- Gain a certificate upon completing this course.
- Learn about the basic principles and concepts related to a trauma-informed approach.
- Learn how such an approach can be applied in archival practice.
- Learn about vicarious trauma.
- Learn about the five principles of trauma-informed practice.
- Learn about the specific issues that may be encountered in your practice while using this approach.
Course Duration: Self Paced
3. Archives Management Graduate Certificate – Indiana University
This online course will help you develop the key concepts and skills necessary to become a professional archivist and will help you get informed of the various modern changes in the field. This course will help you to gain essential organizational skills and will be babysitting you in terms of skipping records of institutions, groups, and individuals.
Course Highlights:
- Gain a graduate certificate from an accredited University.
- The course can be joined by individuals with a bachelor’s degree.
- Learn to identify and preserve society’s cultural heritage.
- Learn about the way in which you can help to remember the past through authentic and reliable primary sources.
- Learn about the various fields in which record management can be useful.
- The course contains core courses (12 credit hours) and electives(6 credit hours).
Course Duration: 6 months
4. Archival Studies PGCart – University of Dundee
This course will help you to learn about the basic principles and concepts relating to Archives management and will provide you with a practical and theoretical approach to the field by allowing you to volunteer in an appropriate professional environment in order to apply whatever you are learning in this course. Moreover, this course will help you to gain extensive knowledge in the management of archives.
Course Highlights:
- Learn about the basic principles associated with Archives and record management.
- Learn about the requirements in Archives management and how you can increase its use.
- Plan to promote your collections through digitisation outreach and publicity.
- Learn about the various issues that can be encountered in the preservation of archives.
- A course accredited by UK Archives and Records Association and The Records and Information Management.
Course Duration: 30 months
5. Records Management and Digital Preservation MSc – University of Dundee
This six-module postgraduate MSc course in records management in digital preservation will help you to learn about the fundamental principles and the practice of records management and we’ll help you learn about the management of current and semi-current records. Moreover, this course will help you to gain in-depth knowledge of how digital records can be properly managed and preserved.
Course Highlights:
- Gain a postgraduate certificate from an accredited University.
- Learn about the basic principles of Record management and Archives management.
- Gain in-depth knowledge about the management of records.
- Gain practical knowledge of Archives management by working in an Archives management field and applying your knowledge.
Course Duration: 60 months
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6. Introduction to Records Management – ICA
This beginner-level online course ranks sixth on the list of archival online courses and will help you to gain a practical introduction to the main elements of records management and will use the PARBICA model as a basis and will allow you to learn the ways in which you can incorporate this model into record Management services of any organization. This course provides emphasis with both on digital and paper-based records and will provide special attention to the appraisal of non-current records. Whether in this course you will have developed knowledge with respect to records management in general and will become aware of the various roles and responsibilities in record keeping.
Course Highlights:
- Gain a certificate upon passing the final assessment.
- Course available both in English and French.
- The course contains 7 sections in total.
- Learn about important technical terms such as good governance, records, and archives.
- Learn about the various requirements of proper record keeping.
- Learn to develop and implement a disposal schedule.
- Learn to develop a record plan and the ways in which you can obtain authorisation to carry out disposal actions.
Course Duration: 3 months
7. Understanding and Using The UDA – ICA
This six-section online course offered by the International Council on Archives will help you to develop an in-depth understanding of the universal declaration on Archives by tracing its history and the inspiration behind its formation. This course will reveal the benefits and challenges associated with the declaration and how the UDA can be used as an evaluation tool.
Course Highlights:
- Gain a certificate for completing this course.
- Course available in both English and French.
- Learn about the history behind the formation of the Universal Declaration on Archives.
- Learn how the declaration can be used as an evaluation and advocacy tool.
- Learn how the UDA can be used for marketing and communication.
- Recommended for beginners.
Course Duration: 3 months
8. Archival Studies Graduate Certificate – University of Arizona
This online graduate certificate course will help you to become equipped with the necessary technical skills and knowledge to work with archive-related professionals and will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of archival standards that are necessary to be maintained while working in a professional environment. The curriculum of this course is set by the Society of American Archivists and will help you to gain specialization skills in the field.
Course Highlights:
- Course comprises of 9-12 required units and 3 elective course units.
- Gain a graduate certificate from an accredited University upon completing this course.
- Gain fundamental knowledge in library and information service.
- Get introduced to archives in general.
- Learn about archival appraisal and description.
- Learn about digital curation and preservation.
Course Duration: Self Paced
9. Records Management Training Program – National Archives
This course will help you to gain a proper understanding of records management in general and will help you to learn about various technical terms and their meanings such as that of records lifecycle, temporary and permanent records, records inventory, and records schedule. The curriculum of this course will also help you to learn about important concepts in SCORM and LMS.
Course Highlights:
- Given an overview of the management of records.
- Learn about the various types of records.
- Learn about various filing and file naming conventions.
- Learn about meta data and how you can assign it.
- Learn to participate in a records inventory and to conduct a records cleanup.
- Identify risk and privacy concerns related to records use.
- Learn about records lifecycle.
Course Duration: Self Paced
10. Archiving And Records Management – Online Course – Reed Courses
This CPDUK accredited online course will help you learn about the basic concepts of maintaining records and records management systems and will help you to tailor-fit a specific records management system based on the various needs and requirements of the organization you are working for. The curriculum of this course will equip you with the ability to organize create and maintain archives and records and will increase your efficiency in managing records.
Course Highlights:
- Gain a CPDUK certified certificate upon completing this course.
- Learn about the basic concepts and principles of records management and record management systems.
- Learn why every purchasing receipt and record needs to be managed and organised.
- Learn about the benefits of correct records.
- Learn how the proper maintenance and organisation of records can help improve the bottom line of an organisation.
- Develop a clear understanding of the significance of records management.
Course Duration: 2 years
11. Archival Management Gradual Academic Certificate Online – University of North Texas
This online course is eleventh on the list of archival online courses and will help you explore the complex and multifaceted work of record managers and archives in modern times. The curriculum of this course will help you learn about archival history and will provide you with a theoretical and practical approach to archive management by stating relevant real-life examples. Further, this course will help you learn about the various fields in which archivists are in demand and their responsibilities.
Course Highlights:
- Coursework set by the Academy of Certified Archivists.
- Learn about the basics of archiving and learn about the history of archive management.
- Learn about archival practice by exploring real world examples.
- Learn about the underlying processes of archival thought.
- Learn how perfect management can find careers in various fields.
Course Duration: 15 hours
12. Archives and Records Management MLitt – University of Dundee
This online post-graduate MLitt Certificate course will help you to learn about the basic principles behind Archives management and will help you to develop a better understanding of record-keeping practice and tradition. The curriculum of this course will help you to develop the skills and technical knowledge required for the management of archives in the public sector and specialist environments.
Course Highlights:
- Learn about the basics of Archives management and the various principles behind the practice.
- Gain both theoretical and practical knowledge in the field.
- Volunteer in an appropriate professional environment that requires archival management.
- Learn to research and write a dissertation on a topic of your own choice and interest.
Course Duration: 60 months
