Archives and Records Management

Archival Science and Documentology is a master's degree program for anyone who wants to gain an in-depth understanding of the management, protection, organization, and use of archival and documentary materials. Today, the field no longer covers only traditional archives. Digitization, electronic business operations, and ever-growing volumes of information are raising new questions for organizations about how to properly store, appraise, protect, and ensure the long-term accessibility of documents.

The master's program at Alma Mater Europaea University connects archival theory, documentology, information content, legal aspects, and research work. Students develop the knowledge needed for the professional management of documentation in physical and digital environments and for addressing more complex issues in the archival and records profession.

Archival Science and Documentology for modern information management

Documents have legal, business, research, cultural, and historical value in organizations. Their effective management therefore requires more than orderly storage. Professional procedures are needed to ensure the authenticity, accessibility, security, and appropriate long-term preservation of materials.

Archival science deals with the creation, appraisal, arrangement, protection, and use of archival materials. Documentologyextends this knowledge to documents, their characteristics, functions, and management throughout their life cycle. Connecting both fields is especially important at a time when organizations simultaneously manage paper documentation, electronic documents, databases, and other digital materials.

Students therefore acquire knowledge that enables them to understand archival systems as a whole and make thoughtful decisions about the handling of documents in different organizational environments.

Knowledge for working with archival and documentary materials

The master's study program in archival science deepens the theoretical foundations of the profession while also guiding students in applying knowledge to specific professional issues. The study content includes, among other things, archival theory and ethics, documentology, information organization, the legal protection of documentary and archival materials, digital preservation, and research methods.

Students develop the ability to:

• professionally manage archival and documentary materials,
• plan and evaluate document preservation procedures,
• understand the organization of and access to information,
• work with materials in physical and digital environments,
• critically assess professional and legal issues,
• carry out independent research and project work.

This interdisciplinary design enables a broader understanding of the entire life cycle of documents and their role in modern information systems.

Digital archives and long-term document preservation

Digital transformation is also significantly changing the archival profession. An electronic document is not important only at the moment of its creation; its authenticity, integrity, and usability must also be ensured over a longer period of time.

This is why digital archives and the preservation of digital materials are an important part of the master's program. Students encounter issues related to information organization, e-archives, and procedures connected with the protection and accessibility of documentation.

Knowledge in this field is also useful outside traditional archival institutions. Public administration, educational and research institutions, healthcare organizations, cultural institutions, and many companies all deal with documentation and digital preservation.

How is the master's program in Archival Science and Documentology structured?

The second-cycle master's program lasts two years or four semesters and comprises 120 ECTS credits. The study is delivered part-time, and after successfully completing all requirements, the student earns the professional title of Master of Archival Science and Documentology.

The curriculum combines compulsory and elective content. Through elective courses, students can further deepen the areas closest to their professional work or research interests. The program also includes a project assignment and concludes with a master's thesis.

This structure enables the gradual upgrading of knowledge—from theoretical and methodological foundations to independent professional and research work.

Hybrid delivery of the study program

Lectures in the Archival Science and Documentology program are delivered in a hybrid format. Students can attend them live in Ljubljana, and in Maribor as well if there is sufficient interest, or via the Zoom application. Lectures are generally held in the afternoon and are recorded, with recordings available to students in the e-classroom.

Practical classes are different. Attendance at practical classes is mandatory; they take place on site and cannot be followed online. Study obligations are generally organized once or twice a week, which is an important piece of information especially for students balancing their studies with employment and other commitments.

Where can a graduate of archival science and documentology work?

Knowledge in the field of records management is needed wherever larger quantities of documentary and archival materials are created and their proper organization, preservation, and accessibility must be ensured.

Graduates can apply their professional competencies in:

• public and private archives,
• archival and records services,
• state administration and local communities,
• museums, libraries, galleries, and other cultural institutions,
• universities and research organizations,
• healthcare and other public institutions,
• companies managing extensive business or digital documentation.

Employment opportunities range from the professional management of materials and digitization to records appraisal, the development of archival systems, research work, and the management of archival and records services.

Who is the study program in Archival Science and Documentology intended for?

The program is suitable for graduates of social sciences, humanities, information science, library science, administrative, organizational, and business fields who want to acquire more advanced knowledge in archival science and documentology.

Under certain conditions, candidates from other professional fields may also enroll in the program. In this case, the competent committee may, depending on prior education, determine additional study requirements that must be completed before enrollment.

The master's program in Archival Science and Documentology at Alma Mater thus enables students to deepen their professional knowledge in a field that connects the care of documentary heritage with current challenges in digital information management. The program is intended to develop professionals who know how to understand documents, manage them systematically, and preserve them long-term in physical and digital environments.

1. How long does the master's program in Archival Science and Documentology last?

The master's program in Archival Science and Documentology lasts two years or four semesters and comprises 120 ECTS credits. The program is designed as a second-cycle study program and is delivered part-time. After successfully completing all study requirements, the student earns the professional title of Master of Archival Science and Documentology.

2. Can I complete the Archival Science and Documentology program remotely?

Lectures in the Archival Science and Documentology program are delivered in a hybrid format, so they can be followed live or via the Zoom application. Lectures are generally recorded and are also available to students in the e-classroom. Practical classes, however, require physical attendance, take place on site, and cannot be completed or attended remotely.

3. Is attendance at lectures and practical classes mandatory?

The attendance mode differs depending on the type of study requirement. Due to the hybrid format, lectures can also be followed online, while attendance at practical classes is mandatory. Practical classes are not recorded and cannot be replaced by watching a recording, so when planning your studies, travel to the location must also be taken into account.

4. Where does the master's program in Archival Science and Documentology take place?

Lectures can be attended live in Ljubljana and, if there is sufficient interest, also in Maribor, or remotely via Zoom. Since not all study requirements take place online, it is important when choosing the program to also take into account the mandatory on-site practical classes.

5. Is the master's program suitable for employed students?

The program is delivered part-time, and lectures generally take place in the afternoon. Study requirements are usually scheduled once or twice a week, which can make it easier to balance studies with employment. Despite the hybrid format, it should be taken into account that certain requirements, especially practical classes, are tied to physical attendance.

6. What does a student learn in the master's program in archival science?

The master's program in archival science develops knowledge for the professional management, appraisal, protection, and long-term preservation of archival and documentary materials. Students encounter archival theory, documentology, information organization, the legal protection of materials, digital preservation, and research methods. An important part of the study is also understanding document management throughout the entire life cycle of documents.

7. Does the program also cover digital archives and electronic documents?

Yes. Digital archives, electronic materials, and long-term digital preservation are an important part of modern archival science and also of the content of the master's program. Students acquire knowledge about organizing, protecting, ensuring access to, and preserving digital documents long-term, which is important for work in organizations where most documentation is now created in electronic form.

8. Who can enroll in the master's program in Archival Science and Documentology?

The program is intended for candidates with appropriate prior education, including from the fields of social sciences, humanities, information science, library science, administrative, organizational, and business studies. Under certain conditions, enrollment is also possible for candidates from other professional fields, for whom additional study requirements may be determined depending on prior education.

9. Where can a graduate of archival science and documentology work?

Knowledge in the fields of archival science, documentology, and records management is useful in archives, public administration, cultural institutions, research and educational organizations, and companies with extensive documentation systems. Graduates can work in the management of archival and documentary materials, digitization, documentation organization, long-term information preservation, and professional and research work.

10. How does the master's program in Archival Science and Documentology conclude?

To complete the program, the student must fulfill all requirements set out in the curriculum and collect 120 ECTS credits. The program also includes project and research work and concludes with a master's thesis. In it, the student independently and thoroughly addresses a selected professional or research issue in the field of archival science and documentology.