Master of Arts in Public History

The Master of Arts degree in History: Public History (964) is a 30-credit hour program that allows students to emphasize Public History. Students can elect either the thesis/project or non-thesis option to complete their degree.

Program Requirements

#1 in the Country

UNI Department of History houses one of the oldest undergraduate public history programs in the country.

Hands-on Approach

The certificate provides students with interdisciplinary training and a chance to work in a collaborative environment.

Career Focused

Public history courses and internships help train students in research methodologies and public practices, providing opportunities to engage in doing history and preparing for employment.

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Department of History
1227 W 27th Street
319 Seerley Hall
Cedar Falls, IA 50614
319-273-2097

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Thesis/Project Option

A minimum of 18 of the required 30 credit hours must consist of 6000 level coursework including 6 hours of thesis/project research (HIST 6299). Students choosing this option will complete a thesis/project based on primary source research. Depending on the research topic, competency in a second language may be required by the Faculty Thesis Committee.

Required Coursework: 27 hours

HIST 5010 Introduction to Public History (3 hours)
HIST 5030 Internship in Historical Studies (6 hours)
HIST 6030 Seminar in History (3 hours)
HIST 6050 Historical Methods (3 hours)
HIST 6288 Seminar: Topics in World Historiography (3 hours)
HIST 6289 Seminar: United States Historiography (3 hours)
HIST 6299 Research (6 hours) In their second year, students take 3 hours of research (HIST 6299) in the Fall semester and 3 hours of research (HIST 6299) in the Spring semester to complete their thesis/project.

Elective Coursework: 3 hours

Students can take one additional courses at the 5000 or 6000 level. Students may also consider taking one course (3 hours) outside of the field of History. Additional public history courses taught through the Department of History include HIST 5020 Introduction to Museum Studies (Spring semester) and LIB 5000 Collections Care and Management (Fall semester).

Non-Thesis Option

A minimum of 15 of the required 30 credit hours must consist of 6000 level coursework. Students also write a research paper and must pass a written comprehensive examination in the primary field and an oral comprehensive examination in both the primary and secondary field.

Required Coursework: 24 hours

Elective Coursework: 6 hours

Students can take two additional courses at the 5000 or 6000 level. These courses should be selected carefully with consideration for how their subject matter prepares students for examination in a primary and secondary field. Students may also consider taking one course (3 hours) outside of the field of History. Additional public history courses taught through the Department of History include HIST 5020 Introduction to Museum Studies (Spring semester) and HIST 5003 Collections Care and Management (Fall semester).