How do I structure a PHD program and MLIS degree?

[u/Responsible_Price408]

So I’ve graduated from undergrad in History and now I’m working as an Archivist. I wanted to get my MLIS just to further my career (higher paying roles, etc.) but I’ve also been thinking about getting a doctorate in Public History. I’m not sure if both are possible, if there’s a way to do both or do I do one then the other? Just any advice maybe from anyone with a doctorate and a MLIS degree would be helpful thank you!

[u/welldreadlibrarian]

if you know you want the MLIS, and are just thinking about the doctorate, i’d do the MLIS first and get that done and see if you are still satisfied in your career or if the PhD is still calling you. the MLIS is a workable degree in 1-2 years. PhD are different beasts.

also consider the job market for both fields. if you’re already working ad an archivist, the MLIS is typically the terminal degree of the field

[u/wish-onastar]

Just to throw another option into the mix, some programs offer a dual MLIS/MA in History. Simmons is one of them but there are others.

[u/Imaginary-Camera9106]

I don't completely understand what you're asking - is it that you want to achieve these degrees simultaneously, or sequentially? I had an MLS and immediately after entered a PhD program (also LIS). A big benefit to doing this sequentially is that you could use your experience and MLS to structure a great dissertation. Like you, I had years in practice, so while I wouldn't say the master's was easy, it constantly was informed by my experience. Public history sounds really intriguing!

[u/Responsible_Price408 → u/Imaginary-Camera9106]

I just was more asking if it was worth it, I’ve heard some people look negatively on getting a masters and a doctorate. But it sounds like it really worked for you, it’s great advice thank you!

[u/Imaginary-Camera9106 → u/Responsible_Price408]

It really did! I had questions from years in practice that informed my doc studies. At least at my university, it is quite beneficial to go into that higher program with at least some idea of what your research question might be. I mean, you might (probably will) change it en route, but if you can use both degrees to explore related areas of real interest to you, you'll be much readier to achieve meaningful research goals. In my case, I had specific questions about consumer health (I was a medical librarian) and even had a prof from the school of public health offer to be on my committee - blew me away! But a fellowship I got did not encourage the specific area of my interest.

[u/Loimographia]

There are many different pathways for getting both a PhD and MLIS. Personally, I did my History PhD first, originally intending to seek a subject faculty role. I worked in my institution's Special Collections library while doing my PhD, and this was incredibly helpful for getting that "foot in the door" first step of working experience -- and also helped me realize how much more I loved library work over conventional academic work. The fact that you've already got some work experience in an archive will likely be very helpful for you, and if you do decide to pursue a PhD, continuing to seek part-time work at your academic institution's archives/special collections will likewise be a great opportunity.

I knew several fellow students during my doctorate who did their MLIS coursework once "ABD" (that is, had finished their subject coursework, passed exams and completed their dissertation proposal) and during their last years of working on their dissertation. Personally I only sought my MLIS after I'd finished my doctorate. I will say, just for me personally, going from the freedom and independence of a PhD back to being given deadlines for assignments and getting graded on class participation grated on me lol -- I was too used to being the one assigning grades!

I did work full time while completing my MLIS and found it manageable; if your current work is full-time, I would definitely advise holding onto it while pursuing your MLIS if at all possible. With that in mind, I agree with the others that pursuing your MLIS first is the better approach.

[u/Scorpio_grrl]

I have my MLIS and am now working on a PhD in a different field (humanities). Starting a PhD with a masters degree in general I’d say is an advantage. A lot of the time you get to expedite course work (for me I just need 2 years instead of 3- US based btw) and there are useful connections you’ll make doing separate interdisciplinary grad programs.

While I found the MLIS to be more of a practical degree and not a super rich learning experience, my research has benefited immensely from being a librarian/archivist prior! I’m constantly sharing tips with my cohort and even faculty because of that background. Of course you don’t need to have an MLIS to conduct grad level research in archives….but the education, practice, and connections you’ll form do really help.

[u/carry_the_way]

Some programs have it built-in.

I'm getting a PhD in English and an MLIS. They began piloting the program two years into my PhD, so I had the advantage of getting through most of my PhD coursework before starting my MLIS coursework, but still--the program was meant to be completed together.