Program Overview

---

Introduction to the Master of Arts in History Program

The Master of Arts in History program at UMass Boston offers a rigorous and flexible course of study in the field of history. The program is designed to enhance research, writing, and analytical skills, as well as provide a broad and advanced background in history content.

Program Overview

The History MA program serves as a terminal degree for those seeking exposure to historical study before entering a variety of careers or a PhD program at another institution. The program is designed to accommodate teachers with a demanding schedule but who wish to pursue their MA part-time. Those who desire to pursue advanced study for their own intellectual enjoyment and development can also benefit from the program's design.

Career Possibilities

Alumni of the History MA program have gone on to a variety of jobs in different industries, including:

• High School Teacher
• College History Professor
• Museum Professional
• Archivist
• Public Historian
• Writer
• Journalist
• Researcher
• Education Coordinator
• Cultural Program Manager
• Media/Communications Specialist
• Editor/Publishing

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements in addition to the following program-specific requirements:

• Applications should include: college transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a 1500-word statement of purpose, and a writing sample between 5-10 double-spaced pages.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are recommended, but not required.
• Applicants will normally be expected to have majored in history as undergraduates and maintained a 3.0 cumulative average in the major.
• Applicants who did not major in history as undergraduates may be asked to pursue a program of coursework designed to remedy deficiencies in their preparation for graduate study.

Program Tracks

The History MA program offers two tracks: History (Online or In-Person) and Public History (In-Person).

History Track

The History Track is designed for students who intend to pursue a PhD, secondary school teachers who wish to improve their knowledge of the field, and students who seek to test their capacity for graduate work. The program consists of:

• HIST 600: Research and Methods
• HIST 605: Introduction to Historiography
• HIST 690: Final Project Prep
• HIST 699: Thesis (for those writing a thesis) or HIST 693: History Review Essay (for those writing a History Review Essay)
• Five or six electives, two of which can be upper-level undergraduate courses (300 level or higher)

Public History Track

The Public History Track is designed for students who wish to study the way we remember and interpret the past. Public historians use historical methodologies to preserve, collect, present, and interpret history with and for public audiences. The program consists of:

• HIST 600: Research and 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
• HIST 690: Final Project Prep
• HIST 699: Thesis (for those writing a thesis) or HIST 689: Capstone (for those writing a Capstone)
• Two or four electives

Professional Training and Development Requirement

Public History students must complete four professional training and development activities by actively participating in hands-on opportunities to learn from seasoned practitioners and peers, explore potential career paths, and build professional skills and networks. Examples of professional training and development activities include:

• Volunteer work with local public history organizations
• Networking events, such as conferences and workshops
• Presenting research at conferences
• Organizing events, such as history conferences
• Grant writing
• Working in committees
• Informational interviews with professionals
• Meeting with career services
• Assisting in public programming
• Learning new skills, such as software relevant to public history

Curriculum

For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.

Learning Outcomes

History MA track students will be able to:

• Engage with international and intercultural perspectives on the study of the past
• Express their ideas according to the norms of professional historians and demonstrate their sensitivity to audience in their writing and speaking
• Make original arguments using primary sources, including both printed and archival materials
• Demonstrate proficiency at analyzing historiography relevant to their research interests, identifying themes and trends
• Know how to document their research according to prevailing professional standards, including use of the current edition of The Chicago Manual of Style for all citations

Public History MA track students will develop the skills essential to all historians, as indicated above. In addition, Public History graduates will:

• Demonstrate knowledge of public history theory, the literature of the field and ethical practice, the environments of public facing work, and the issues that confront public historians in the field
• Be able to put public history theory into practice in public facing projects and environments, applying methods and skills in analysis and interpretation that makes history accessible to public audiences
• Have built professional knowledge and networks through participation in professional communities of relevant organizations, in professional and/or academic conferences central to the field, in advocacy efforts, and/or in public history initiatives in the community

Graduation Criteria

Complete 30 credits, which include 6 or 8 required courses and 4 or 2 electives, depending on the choice of capstone or thesis. The minimum grade required is a C, and no more than one course with a grade below B- may be applied toward the program. With approval of the graduate program director, no more than six credits from another institution may be applied toward the elective requirements for the online History MA degree. The statute of limitations for the program is five years.