Master of Arts in Public History
Preserve the Past, Inspire the Future.
Launching Fall 2026.
History shapes how we understand our world through museums, archives, documentaries, community organizations, and policies. The Master of Arts in Public History program prepares you to bring the past to life in the public sphere. Through hands-on experience, you will learn to connect with audiences in museums, historical societies, government agencies, and beyond.
The curriculum, guided by the National Council on Public History's best practices, will equip you with the skills to handle the complexities of presenting history to diverse audiences. You will develop critical research, writing, and presentation skills while addressing ethical and professional issues in the public sector. By working alongside experienced practitioners, you will refine your ability to synthesize historical knowledge and create meaningful public experiences.
The program emphasizes:
- Historical methodology and interpretation
- Research, writing, and presentation skills
- Ethics and professionalism in public history
- Real-world experience
- Developing a professional identity as a historian
The program culminates with a Capstone project and 240-hour internship. Your Capstone project, completed during the internship, will result in work that could be displayed to the public, used by researchers, or showcased in digital formats. Graduates of the program are prepared for careers as historical consultants, museum professionals, archivists, curators, oral historians, and more.
Tailor Your Degree
Electives allow you to specialize in areas such as:
- Digital storytelling and exhibit design
- Cultural resource management
- Oral history and community engagement
- Historical preservation and archival practices
- Museum studies and public history consulting
This flexibility allows you to align coursework with your career interests, whether you are focused on museum work, historic preservation, or digital history projects.
