Do You Need A Master's? Career Guide

Do You Really Need a Master's Degree to Work in Archives?

If you've ever seen "MLIS preferred" on a job listing and wondered if you were already disqualified — this guide is for you.

The honest answer is: it depends. And understanding when it matters, when it doesn't, and what actually gets people hired can change everything about how you approach breaking into this field.

Written by Mary Snyder, consulting archivist and public historian with over a decade of experience across community archives, historical societies, and institutions.

What's inside:

What "MLIS required" actually means — and what hiring committees are really screening for

When the degree genuinely matters vs. when experience counts more

Five real entry points into archival work that don't require a master's

What actually gets people hired (beyond credentials)

Three concrete next steps you can take this week

Pay what you want — including $0.

Ready to map your full path into the field? The complete workbook goes deeper — modules, writing prompts, trackers, and a curated reading list.