Public History

Last Updated: March 21, 2023

Department of History, University at Albany, SUNY
SS 145, 1400 Washington Ave.

Albany, NY 12222

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Director(s)

Prof. David Hochfelder
[email protected]
518-442-5348

 

Program Introduction

Founded in 1983, the 36-credit MA concentration in Public History at the University at Albany, SUNY, trains historians to work at a variety of public history venues. In addition to traditional public history courses in areas such as those in archival practices, historical site administration, material studies, and museum studies, the program offers training in digital history, oral history, and documentary production. A 30-credit MA in History (academic concentration), a dual program combining the MA in History with the MS in Information Science, and a dual program combining the MA in History with a JD from Albany Law School (separate applications required for dual programs) are also available.

Program Introduction

Founded in 1983, the M.A. program in Public History at the University at Albany, SUNY trains historians to work at a variety of public history venues. The program is a 36-credit program, usually completed in three semesters. In addition to traditional public history courses -- in archival practices, historical site administration, material studies, historic preservation, local/community history, and museum studies -- the program also offers students training in digital history, documentary filmmaking, oral/video history, and audio documentary production. Albany is home to major New York State agencies such as the State Archives, State Museum, and Office of Historic Preservation. The region also contains many public and private museums, historical societies, archives, and public media television and radio stations. This diversity permits a wide choice of internship and career possibilities – and a pool of specialized experts to supplement the regular staff of the Department of History.

Degrees Offered

  • M.A. in History with a Certificate or Concentration in Public History

Program Strengths

  • Public Policy
  • Archival Practices
  • Digital Media
  • Film/Video
  • Historical Administration
  • Historic Preservation
  • Library Science Program
  • Local/Community History
  • Material Culture
  • Museum Studies
  • Oral History

Credit Hour Requirements

The MA concentration in Public History is 36 credits, including 6 internship credits. Students accepted into the History MA and the 36-credit MS-Information Science programs can overlap up to 13 credits between the programs.

How Many Students are Admitted Annually

MA7-12

MAs produced last year

Three MA students graduated last year. We currently (Feb '23) have 33 MA students, including 10 pursuing the dual MA and MSIS.

Full-time Program Staff/Faculty

Nineteen full time faculty members, plus lecturers with expertise in public history. See https://www.albany.edu/history/people/faculty.

Financial Aid Available

In-state tuition discounts; some paid internships.

Deadline To Apply

August 1 (Fall admission); December 1 (Spring admission). No GRE requirement.

Internship Requirements

Six internship credits (roughly 50 hours per credit) are required. These may be completed full time over the summer or broken into smaller units. Internship opportunities are publicized to students throughout the year, and they are also encouraged to seek out opportunities on their own. Some students find internships that offer hourly pay and/or stipends, but many internships are not compensated.

Places Where Students Have Interned During the Past 3 Years

Among internship sites:

  • Albany Institute of History and Art
  • Historic Albany Foundation
  • Historic Hudson Valley
  • Irish American Heritage Museum
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • New Netherlands Institute
  • New York State Military Museum
  • New York State Museum
  • Old Sturbridge Village
  • USS Slater Destroyer Escort Historical Museum
  • Watervliet Historical Society
  • Westchester County Archive

Job Placement Assistance

The program hosts an annual fall mixer for students and area professionals and alumni. We also maintain a database of available jobs and regularly broadcast job opportunities via social media, including a program Facebook page and Twitter.

Job Placement Percentage Within One Year

unknown

Employers Who Have Hired Graduates from this Program within the Past Five Years

Among employers of recent graduates:

  • Albany Institute of History and Art
  • Division for Historic Preservation office of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
  • Hood Museum of Art
  • New York State Museum
  • Oklahoma City Museum of Art

 

Community & Institutional Connections

As noted, students pursing a History MA (whether concentrating in academic or public history) may, if also accepted to that program, pursue a MS in Information Science, with concentrations including Records & Archives or Library & Information Services; see https://www.albany.edu/history/programs/ma-history-ms-information-science.

We also offer a combined History MA and JD through Albany Law School; click here.

We work closely with the New York State Museum; the New York State Archives; the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation; and local museums and historic sites.