So You Want to Be an Archivist"The educational path to a career in archives is equally varied. Most entry-level positions require an undergraduate and a graduate degree, together with archival coursework and a practicum. Although archivists have a variety of undergraduate majors, most receive graduate degrees in history or library science—some have degrees in both fields. Public administration and political science are also useful specializations. A PhD is often preferred for higher ranking positions in academic institutions. Particular knowledge of certain subjects may be important for work in archives that have specialized topical emphases. Experience in conducting research in primary and secondary sources is also helpful."