History (MA) - Public History

Program Overview

The Public History Track at the University of Central Florida equips students with the skills and knowledge to preserve and interpret history for various audiences. Through required and elective courses, students focus on the practical application of historical knowledge, preparing them for careers in community history, digital history, historic site preservation, museum studies, oral history, and heritage tourism. The program emphasizes the development of theoretical, methodological, and technical skills in the field of public history.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Public History Track within the History MA program at the University of Central Florida (UCF) is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to preserve and interpret history for a diverse range of audiences. This program is ideal for individuals seeking careers in:

• Community and local history
• Digital history
• Historic site preservation and administration
• Museum studies
• Oral history
• Heritage tourism
• Other careers that utilize applied historical research
The Public History Track emphasizes the practical application of historical knowledge, teaching students the theories, methods, and technical skills historians use in their work. It builds upon the foundation of reading colloquia and research seminars, focusing explicitly on the practice of history.

Outline:

The Public History Track requires a minimum of 36 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree, broken down as follows:

Required Courses:

• Core (9 credits):
• HIS5067 - Introduction to Public History (3 credits)
• HIS6159 - Historiography (3 credits)
• HIS6905 - History Capstone Class (3 credits)
• Specialization (15 credits):
• Public History (9 credits):
• Complete at least 3 of the following:
• AMH6346 - Seminar in the History of American Automobility (3 credits)
• HIS6592 - Seminar in Oral History (3 credits)
• HIS5083 - Cultural Heritage Management (3 credits)
• HIS5925 - History in the Digital Age (3 credits)
• HIS6165 - Digital Tools for Historians (3 credits)
• HIS5088 - Readings in Curation and Public History (3 credits)
• HIS6094 - Seminar in Curation and New Media (3 credits)
• HIS6167 - Spatial History (3 credits)
• HIS6942 - Internship (3 credits)
• AMH6429 - Seminar in Community and Local History (3 credits)
• HIS6096 - Seminar in Historic Preservation (3 credits)
• Western Hemisphere Courses (6 credits):
• Complete at least 2 of the following:
• AMH5116 - Colloquium in Early American History (3 credits)
• AMH5169 - Colloquium in the American Early Republic (3 credits)
• AMH5176 - Colloquium in Civil War and Reconstruction (3 credits)
• AMH5296 - Colloquium in 20th Century U.S. (3 credits)
• HIS5503 - History of Technology (3 credits)
• AMH5391 - Colloquium in U.S.
Cultural History (3 credits)
• AMH5406 - Colloquium in American South (3 credits)
• AMH5077 - Colloquium in Twentieth Century Tourism (3 credits)
• AMH6346 - Seminar in the History of American Automobility (3 credits)
• HIS5926 - Colloquium: History of Women and Gender (3 credits)
• AMH5636 - Colloquium in US Environmental History (3 credits)
• AMH5925 - Colloquium in US Military History (3 credits)
• AMH6939 - Seminar in U.S. History (3 credits)
• LAH5920 - Colloquium in Latin American History (3 credits)
• Elective Courses (6 credits):
• Eastern Hemisphere Courses (6 credits):
• Complete at least 2 of the following:
• AFH5259 - Colloquium in African History (3 credits)
• AFH5806 - The Historiography of Slavery in Africa (3 credits)
• ASH5229 - History of the Middle East (3 credits)
• ASH5408 - Colloquium in Modern China (3 credits)
• ASH5485 - U.S. China Relations (3 credits)
• ASH5925 - Colloquium in South Asian History (3 credits)
• ASH6936 - Seminar in US-China Relations (3 credits)
• EUH5419 - Colloquium in Roman History (3 credits)
• EUH5459 - Colloquium in French History (3 credits)
• EUH5546 - Colloquium: British History (3 credits)
• EUH5905 - European Imperialism (3 credits)
• EUH5925 - Colloquium in Medieval Europe (3 credits)
• EUH5208 - Colloquium in Early Modern History (3 credits)
• EUH6939 - Seminar in European History (3 credits)
• EUH5579 - Colloquium in Soviet Russia (3 credits)
• Thesis (6 credits):
• HIS 6971 Thesis (6 credits)
• Thesis or Project Defense (1 hour)
• Comprehensive Examination (0 credits):
• Written examinations in two fields
• Thesis prospectus and preliminary bibliography
• Oral defense of written exams, prospectus, and bibliography
• Foreign Language Competency (0 credits):
• Reading competency in a foreign language translation examination

Assessment:

• Comprehensive Examination: Students must pass written examinations in two fields upon completion of coursework and before beginning their thesis.
• Thesis: The culminating event of the program is a thesis, requiring a minimum of six credit hours at the 6000-level.
Students must develop and sustain a historical argument in writing according to professional and ethical standards.
• Thesis Defense: A one-hour oral defense of the thesis is required before the thesis committee.

Careers:

The Public History Track prepares students for a variety of careers, including:

• Community and Local History: Working with historical societies, museums, and archives to preserve and interpret local history.
• Digital History: Creating and managing digital historical resources, websites, and online exhibits.
• Historic Site Preservation and Administration: Managing and preserving historic sites, including museums, parks, and buildings.
• Museum Studies: Working in museums as curators, educators, or administrators.
• Oral History: Conducting interviews and collecting oral histories to document personal experiences and perspectives.
• Heritage Tourism: Developing and promoting historical tourism destinations.

Other:

• Track Prerequisites: A bachelor's degree in History (or an equivalent) is required.
• Financial Assistance: Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans.
• Course Flexibility: Students can take up to two (2) graduate courses (6 hours) in another UCF department/program with the approval of the History MA Graduate Director.
• Certificate Courses: Only two (2) courses from any graduate certificate program can be counted toward the History MA degree.