Program Requirements
History MA/Public History Track Degree Requirements
Students in the Public History Track complete 30 credit hours for the History MA. Students in the Public History Track have the option of writing a Thesis or completing a Capstone project. Required courses:
- HIST 600: Research Methods
- HIST 605: Introduction to Historiography
- HIST 620: Introduction to Public History and Popular Memory
- HIST 625: Interpreting History in Public: Approaches to Public History Practice
- HIST 698: Internship in Public History
- Either HIST 699: Master of Arts Thesis and HIST 690: Final Project Preparation OR HIST 689: Capstone
- 4 Professional Development Activities
The number of electives students take depends on their choice of Capstone (which leaves 12 credits for electives) or Thesis (which leave 6 credits for electives).
Some electives:
- HIST 626: Introduction to Archives and Information Management
- HIST 627: Archival Methods and Practices
- HIST 630: Transforming Archives and History in the Digital Era
- HIST 664: Boston History
- HIST 667: The Progressive Era
- HIST 682: Topics in American History (selected)
- HIST 688: Oral History
Professional Training and Development
Training as a public historian requires engagement outside the classroom. To this end, our Public History students complete four training and/or professional development activities alongside their required coursework. These hands-on opportunities enable them to learn from seasoned practitioners and peers, explore potential career paths, and build professional networks. They reflect our commitment to ensuring that students gain the necessary field experience, skills, and exposure for success in the job market.
Professional training and development activities include (but are not limited to):
- participating in academic conferences as organizer, presenter, moderator
- participating in workshops or webinars sponsored by public history organizations such as NEMA, NCPH, and Massachusetts History Alliance
- volunteering at local historical organizations (short or longer term)
- working with UMB’s Office of Career Services or an experienced professional in the field to write stronger resumes and/or cover letters
- conducting informational interviews with public history professionals
Ideally, students complete one activity per semester during the two-year program.
Public History Certificate Requirements
The Certificate in Public History is for students enrolled in other MA programs or those who already hold an MA in a related field. In all cases, the certificate provides training that supports career development for public history professionals. With its focus on collaborative practice and community partnership, public history training can be useful in other contexts and fields as well. The certificate does not confer an MA degree.
The Public History Certificate requires 18 course credits, which include 2 core public history courses, a 120-hour internship, and 3 skills-based elective courses. Required courses::
- HIST 620: Introduction to Public History and Popular Memory
- HIST 625: Interpreting History in Public: Approaches to Public History Practice
- HIST 698: Internship in Public History
Certificate students choose 3 of the following skills-based electives: