MARA Student Experience

Overview

Student Experience — MARA

75% of survey respondents said they would recommend the MARA program.

We invite you to browse the statistics pulled from a recent exit survey of graduates who completed the Master of Archives and Records Administration program in Spring 2023. Note percentages are rounded and may not always equal 100. (n=4 responses)

  • 75% said they would recommend our MARA program.
  • According to the survey respondents, the top strengths of the MARA program are its online learning environment, cost, flexibility, and curriculum
  • The survey respondents completed the MARA program in under 4 years. Did you know that you can complete the MARA program at your own pace, choosing the number of courses you want to take each semester? You have up to seven years to earn your graduate degree.
  • As an online school, we know the importance of timely technology help. 100% of the survey respondents took advantage of the technology resource center and technology support we provide to students.
  • Our school also provides robust career development resources to students, as well as offers individual consultations with a career advisor. Three out of four survey respondents used the career services.
  • Advising and student support are top priority at our school. Three out of four survey respondents sought help from their academic advisor.

“I feel that I now have the skills to pursue a career in archives.” MARA Graduate

Our students also took advantage of a range of informal learning opportunities and activities that helped them expand their professional network and aid them with future job seeking. For example:

  • Three out of four survey respondents were members of professional associations. Did you know we give new Master of Archives and Records Administration students a free one-year membership to the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T), National Association of Government Archivists and Records Administrators (NAGARA), or the Society of American Archivists (SAA)? Learn more.
  • Extracurricular activities abound at our school. MARA students can expand their learning experiences by getting involved and participating in professional conferences, guest lectures, and the iSchool Student Research Journal. Did you know that we offer a MARA online lecture series that features guest presenters in the fields of archives, records and information governance? The MARA guest lectures and the SAA and ARMA conferences were a popular activity among the survey respondents.

In addition, you’ll be in good company in our fully online master’s degree program. Here are some stats about our graduating MARA students as reported in the Spring 2023 exit survey:

  • While earning their MARA degree, the survey respondents completed courses from Georgia, Oregon, New York and Virginia. Our MARA program is offered exclusively online, and there are no on-campus orientations or other required in-person events.
  • Our online program allows students the flexibility to continue working while pursuing their MARA degree. 75% of the survey respondents were both students at our school and working professionals.  
  • At the time of graduation, the survey respondents ranged in age from 26 to 61 years of age or older.
  • In this particular survey, three respondents were female and one preferred not to answer.
  • The four survey respondents chose White, not Hispanic, African American/Black, and Asian/Pacific Islander for their ethnicity. 
  • 25% of the survey respondents stated they were the first person in their family to obtain a master’s degree. Learn more about the First Generation Student Group

“The MARA program exposes the students to a variety of settings through interactions with colleagues or in academic materials and lectures.” MARA Graduate

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10 Reasons to Enroll in the MARA Program

1. The flexibility and convenience offered by the program’s fully online format will make it possible for you to live anywhere while you earn your MARA degree, and access course content at any time you choose.

2. You’ll receive instruction and mentoring from faculty members who are award-winning scholars and leaders in their academic and professional communities – and who live around the globe, bringing an international perspective on emerging trends in the field.

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MARA Open House Sessions

Virtual open house sessions for the fully online Master of Archives and Records Administration degree program will be held from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Pacific Time on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, October 18, 2023
  • Thursday, November 16, 2023

RSVP YES!

Details regarding how to join a live open house web conference will be emailed to you after you RSVP.

If these dates do not work for your schedule, we encourage you to watch a recording of a past session. You may also contact Dr. Darra Hofman with any questions.