University of Massachusetts Boston* | National Council on Public History

History MA/Public History Track, and Graduate Certificate in Public History

Last Updated: October 23, 2024

History Department
100 Morrissey Blvd.

Boston, MA 02125

[email protected]

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Director(s)

Dr. Jane Becker, Director of Public History

[email protected]

617-287-6860

Program Introduction

Established in 2009, the UMass Boston Public History Track typically admits 10-15 students each year. Approximately 40 public history track students have graduated since 2011; an average of 4-5 students graduate from the public history track each academic year. The department offers a History MA/Public History and a graduate level Public History Certificate. The Public History Track prepares students for careers in history working with and for the public. Public History students have multiple opportunities to gain field experience, including an individualized internship. At UMass Boston, our students use the Greater Boston area as an exciting laboratory for historical inquiry, collaborating with local historical organizations, and the diverse communities that have shaped this region, past and present.

Degrees Offered

M.A. in History
Other

Program Strengths

Archival Practices
Local/Community History
Oral History

Credit Hour Requirements

30 credits for MA; 18 credits for certificate

How Many Students are Admitted Annually

MA10-15

MAs produced last year

Full-time Program Staff/Faculty

There are 16 full-time faculty/staff in the History Department. Three, including the Director of Public History, have specialty areas in public history. We also enjoy close relationships with our colleagues in University Archives & Special Collections.

Financial Aid Available

Graduate assistantships
Scholarships
In-state tuition

Deadline To Apply

March 15

Internship Requirements

The Director of Public History works with individual students to arrange the internship, in consultation with the student and potential partners/sponsors, taking into consideration both the needs of the institution and the professional goals and interests of the student. The public history internship is required for Public History Track and Certificate students. It earns three credit hours; students must fulfill at least 120 hours of work in order to gain full credit.

Places Where Students Have Interned During the Past 3 Years

Adams National Historical Park

Interpreting Sports

Historic New England

Shirley Eustis House Association

Gibson House Museum

Lynn Museum

Commonwealth Museum

Boston National Historical Park

Leventhal Map Center

Buttonwoods Museum

Boston Women’s Heritage Trail

Job Placement Assistance

We offer and support professional networking, individualized internship placements and capstone projects in the field. We require professional development activities. Program faculty and staff provide career guidance, referrals, and references.

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

National Park Service

Waterworks Museum

Plimoth Patuxet Museums

Shirley Eustis House Association

The History Project

Revolutionary Spaces

Community & Institutional Connections

University Archives & Special Collections, Healey Library, UMass Boston

Labor Resource Center, UMass Boston

City of Boston Archaeology Program

Commonwealth Museum