Master of Arts in Public History

The Master of Arts in Public History (MAPH) degree program is designed to serve the needs of historical consultants, museum professionals, government historians, archivists, oral historians, cultural resource managers, curators, film and media producers, historical interpreters, historic preservationists, policy advisers, local historians, community activists, and teachers of both history and social studies. Students of this program will learn to use and organize archives to conceive and erect museum exhibitions, use historical artifacts and texts as teaching tools within historical organizations, conduct oral histories and thus co-create historical documents, and work with various community and historical groups.

Program Design

This 33-credit hour program is taught through online instruction. It was designed to include 7 required courses, 2 elective courses, an internship or practicum experience, and a Final Project.

Required Courses

  • PBHS 6040 Museums and Public History: Theory and Practice, 3cr.
  • PBHS 6025 Public History, Ethics, and Professionalism, 3cr.
  • PBHS 6325 Archival Theory and Practice, 3cr.
  • PBHS 6105 Exhibition Planning and Interpretation, 3cr.
  • PBHS 6215 Oral History: Theory and Methods, 3cr.
  • PBHS 6245 Preservation, Material, and History, 3cr.
  • PBHS 6240 Preservation Policy and Law, 3cr.
  • PBHS 7005 Public History Internship, 3cr.
  • PBHS 7030 Final Project, 3cr.

Elective Courses and Final Project

Students choose two elective courses (6 credits) to reflect their interests and to reinforce the individual focus of their degree. Students are encouraged to use the electives to build a concentration around their final project topic.