History, Public History Emphasis, MA

The department offers a 30-hour program with thesis in history with an emphasis in public history. In lieu of a traditional thesis, a public history student may produce a thesis-level project, such as a museum exhibit, an archival collection description, or a preservation report. This project will be subject to the same review and defense processes of a traditional thesis.

An emphasis in public history is designed for individuals who desire to work or are working in museums, archives, historical foundations, government and corporate historical offices, and other public history settings. In addition to a minimum 15 hours in public history coursework, public history emphasis students also must complete HIST 5330 - Historiography  and six hours of foundational coursework in U.S. history before 1865 and U.S. history since 1865, as well as six hours credit for thesis writing. The History Graduate Program Committee and graduate advisor may approve individual variations as needed.