You are here: 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß College of Arts & Sciences History Master of Arts in History Public History Concentration

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A Hands-On Approach to History

The Master of Arts in History with a Concentration in Public History opens the door to careers in museums, cultural tourism, community history, historic preservation, cultural resource management, libraries, archives, new media, and many other professional fields. In this program, students explore how audiences understand the past while developing research and interpretive skills to enrich the public's understanding of history. Students learn the best practices in public history and develop expertise in their chosen historical field, learning how professional historians conduct scholarly analysis. Students graduate with a record of original research and a command of historiographical literature.

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Design Your MA to Develop Your Expertise

The Public History Concentration prepares students for an exciting career with historical knowledge, research skills, and hands-on practical experience. Students have the freedom to develop their own unique set of skills and expertise, pursuing internships and classwork in fields of their choice, developed with their academic advisor. Full-time students complete the 33-credit program in 2 academic years. Please see Frequently Asked Questions for prospective students.

The program prides itself on a commitment to mentorship, collegiality, and public service. As part of 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß's public history community, students explore the capital city and beyond, engaging in class trips to local cultural institutions. They build teamwork and leadership skills by engaging in service projects. Students further their academic and professional careers and gain networking experience by attending national public history conferences and working with high-profile historical institutions. With the close support and guidance of 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß's academic community you will acquire the tools to succeed in this dynamic field.

Coursework expands students' historical knowledge and provides a solid foundation in historiography. Core courses include a seminar on public history, a practicum, and an internship. Students develop skills with courses in oral history or history and new media, in addition to conducting original research combining academic and public history during research seminars.

Study History Where It Happens

In Washington, DC, history is being made every day. The unparalleled professional and intellectual opportunities offered by the nation's capital make 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß the ideal place to study public history. Students have access to renowned museums and archives — such as the Smithsonian, the National Archives, and the Library of Congress — where they can further their research, explore career options, and make a unique impact on the field.

±õ²ÔÌýpublic history practicum, students engage in hands-on learning and assist in the development of interpretive programming and exhibits for high-profile institutions such as the National Park Service, the Historical Society of Washington, National Public Radio, and the White House Historical Association. As part of the Washington, DC , 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß's students are able to take courses at colleges and universities throughout the DC metropolitan area, providing the opportunity to work with a variety of faculty in diverse programs and fields of study.

Students get a head start on their careers by interning at one of the city's many museums, archives, or historic sites. Local partnerships help students find internships with the area's most important institutions and employers. Whether students are interested in working at government institutions or a small nonprofits, DC has something for you. We also offer yearly fellowship opportunities with with a variety of partner institutions.

Learn from Our History-Making Faculty

At 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß, students work closely with experienced scholars whose work blurs the lines between the academic and the public. Students learn from respected professors of 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß's Public History program, faculty across the History department, and Public Historians in Residence who are practitioners in the field. Our faculty’s variety of research interests and areas of expertise offers students a wide field of research options.

Explore the Possibilities

17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß Public History graduates work for museums, archives, historical societies, and related institutions. With a strong curriculum, prime location, and connections with professional organizations across the United States, graduates are well prepared to begin highly rewarding careers. In the DC area, 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß alumni work at the Smithsonian Institution, the National Archives and Records Administration, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and President Lincoln’s College. Graduates find positions nationwide in reputable institutions such as the Southern Oral History Program, the Nantucket Preservation Trust, and the Rhode Island Historical Society.

In and around DC

  • American Historical Association
  • Anacostia Community Museum
  • Coalition to Protect America's National Parks
  • DC Oral History Collaborative
  • George Washington's Mount Vernon
  • HumanitiesDC
  • National Air and Space Museum
  • National Archives and Records Administration
  • National Endowment for the Arts
  • National Museum of African American History and Culture
  • NPR
  • National Trust for Historic Preservation
  • Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
  • United States Holocaust Museum
  • White House Historical Association

Around the Country

  • Atlanta History Center (Atlanta, GA)
  • Bainbridge Island Historical Museum (Bainbridge Island, WA)
  • Connecticut Humanities (Middletown, CT)
  • Indiana Historical Society (Indianapolis, IN)
  • Maryland Center for History & Culture (Baltimore, MD)
  • Maryland Historical Society (Baltimore, MD)
  • North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (Raleigh, NC)
  • Owls Head Transportation Museum (Owls Head, ME)
  • San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (San Diego, CA)
  • Thinc Design (New York, NY)
  • University at Albany Archives and Special Collections (Albany, NY)
The National Museum of African American History and Culture. Photo by Alan Karchmer.

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17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß Alumni Preserving Black History at the Smithsonian

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