Major Field (15 Hours)

Students take 9 hours of course work chosen from one of three concentrations, and 6 additional hours of courses with Public History content (and so designated by the Department’s Graduate Committee), some of which might be in the two concentrations, some of which might not.

Internship and Thesis Preparation (3 Hours)

Students must complete an internship approved by their advisor and the graduate committee and 3 hours of thesis preparation  (HIST 799 ).

Minor Field (15 Hours)

For the minor field, students will complete   HIST 720 , as well as 12 hours in the minor field of study, 6 of which must be an overview of the field (HIST 701 -HIST 712 ), and 3 of which must be an 800-level research seminar.

Additional Information

The M.A. thesis will be an expanded version of the student’s 800-level research seminar paper, revised to the standard of a potentially publishable article-length essay. Normally, students will submit the thesis in the semester after completion of the 800-level research seminar paper, but students who complete their 800-level seminar in their first year may petition the Graduate Committee to submit their thesis during their final semester in the M.A. program. The thesis must be submitted in accordance with the regulations of The Graduate School.

Following successful completion of an 800-level research seminar, an oral comprehensive examination on the student’s thesis will be taken. In this examination, the student will be asked to place his/her thesis in historiographic perspective. Normally, students will take the comprehensive examination in the semester after they complete an 800-level seminar. However, students who complete their 800-level seminar in their first year may petition the Graduate Committee to take their M.A. examination during their final semester in the program.

In addition to the thesis, students will compile a portfolio of their public history work in accordance with departmental policy.

Finally, the student will complete a thesis that is submitted according to the regulations of The Graduate School.

Candidates for the M.A. in Public History shall file a Program of Study during their first semester, and in no case later than 12 months after entering the program. A student in the M.A./M.L.I.S. joint program should prepare and file separate forms for each degree but should submit them together to The Graduate School.

All students enrolled in public history may also enter the Museum Certificate Program coordinated by the University’s McKissick Museum.

Additional information is available at Graduate Dual Degree Programs .