M.A. in Public History Details

M.A. in Public History Concentration

“Public history” is an umbrella term for a variety of methods of practicing history outside a traditional academic setting for a nonacademic audience. Public historians work in archives, museums, government agencies, and historical societies, with historical editing and historical preservation projects, and in a variety of other professional settings. The concentration is quite flexible, with both thesis and non-thesis options. All students complete 36 hours of coursework, combining conventional history courses with public history, research, and an internship designed to introduce them to the various public history fields and give them the opportunity to pursue more advanced study and practical experience in one or more of these fields.

M.A. in Public History Courses (36 credits)

Students pursuing the public history option are required to take HIST 614: Research Methods, HIST 605: Introduction to Public History, one section of HIST 601: History Seminar, six credits from public history courses (HIST 606, 770, 771, 772), and HIST 790: Seminar in Public History. Students are also required to take six credits of HIST 698: History internship. This internship may be taken as two three-credit or one six-credit course. Remaining courses are to be subject specific electives, with no more than three credits coming from an advisor approved related field, and no more than nine credits from 500-level courses.

Course Schedule

See the full course list

• History Department
• Keith Hall, Room 203
  390 Pratt Drive
  Indiana, PA 15705-1087
• Phone: 724-357-2284
• Fax: 724-357-6478

• Office Hours
• Monday through Friday
• 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
• 1:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m.