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DAS Curriculum Structure

Do you want to learn how to manage born-digital records the “right” way – and have proof of your qualifications?  Now you can!

SAA is committed to providing education and training to ensure that archivists adopt appropriate practices for appraising, capturing, preserving, and providing access to electronic records.  That’s why we’ve developed the Digital Archives Specialist (DAS) Curriculum and Certificate Program.

The DAS Curriculum, developed by experts in the field of digital archives, is structured in tiers of study that guide you to choose courses based on your specific knowledge, training, and needs. You can choose individual courses—or you can take your learning to the next level by earning a Digital Archives Specialist Certificate from SAA after completing required coursework and passing both course and comprehensive examinations.

Core Competencies of a Digital Archives Specialist 

The DAS Program is structured to ensure that a DAS Certificate holder is able to:

  1. Understand the nature of records in electronic form, including the functions of various storage media, the nature of system dependence, and the effect on integrity of records over time.
  2. Communicate and define requirements, roles, and responsibilities related to digital archives to a variety of partners and audiences.
  3. Formulate strategies and tactics for appraising, describing, managing, organizing, and preserving digital archives.
  4. Integrate technologies, tools, software, and media within existing functions for appraising, capturing, preserving, and providing access to digital collections.
  5. Plan for the integration of new tools or successive generations of emerging technologies, software, and media.
  6. Curate, store, and retrieve original masters and access copies of digital archives.
  7. Provide dependable organization and service to designated communities across networks.

To Receive a DAS Certificate

A certificate participant has successfully completed (i.e., attended and passed examinations for) nine required courses from the four tiers listed below and has passed a comprehensive examination within a 24-month period. More knowledgeable participants may elect to test out of Foundational courses.

To Maintain Your DAS Certificate 

The DAS Certificate is valid for five years. DAS Certificate holders may renew the certificate by successfully completing courses from the tiers listed below or by testing out of the courses.  Specific courses to be determined.

The DAS Certificate courses and comprehensive examinations will be offered at various locations.  Watch this space for more information as we develop plans.