The Certificate in Public History is a graduate-level certificate for students enrolled in other MA programs at UMass Boston, or those who already hold an MA in a related field, such as History, Anthropology, Historical Archaeology, American Studies, English, or other fields. In all cases, the certificate provides training that supports career development for public history professionals. It does not confer an MA degree.
The Certificate in Public History offers knowledge and practical experience in the theories, issues and methods of public history practice, preparing students for work in a variety of public history venues, such as museums, archives, historical organizations and historic sites. With its focus on collaborative practice and community partnership, public history training can be useful in other contexts and fields as well.
Certificate Requirements
Students who graduate with a public history certificate will take an introductory course in the field's historiography and theories; a course on interpretive methods and practice in public history; an internship consisting of 120 hours of supervised work under the direction a professional public historian; and three skills-based elective courses.
Three required courses (9 credits total):
- HIST 620: Introduction to Public History and Popular Memory
- HIST 625: Interpreting History in Public: Approaches to Public History Practice
- HIST 698: Internship in Public History
Three elective courses (9 credits total):
- HIST 627: Archival Methods and Practices
- HIST 630: Transforming Archives and History in the Digital Era
- HIST 688: Oral History
- HIST 687 Genealogy and Family History
- ANTH 635: Material Life in New England
Program Credit Requirements
- 18 total semester hours required
- Minimum GPA: 3.0, as required by the Graduate School
Application
Prospective students: Those who are not already enrolled in a graduate program at UMass Boston must apply through the regular process for admission for History Department graduate programs. Candidates must meet standards similar to those of the MA program. The Certificate is awarded upon completion of all required and elective courses. Students who wish to continue their education beyond the certificate may apply for the Public History Track in the History MA program and transfer their credits and coursework.
Students enrolled in other MA programs at UMass Boston: Those already enrolled in an MA program at UMass Boston should consult with the History Graduate Program Director, and the Director of Public History. They do not need to go through the regular admissions process. To add the Certificate, students must write a letter of intent discussing their interest in the Certificate and their academic and professional goals, and complete the Graduate Student Additional Program Form. These should be submitted to the History Graduate Program Director for approval.
Students already enrolled in the History MA program at UMass Boston: Current History MA students may add the Certificate in Public History to their course of study. They do not need to go through the regular admissions process. To add the Certificate, students must fill out the Graduate Student Additional Program Form and submit it to the Graduate Program Director for approval. This option is available to graduate students in the History and Archives Track. Students in the Public History Track should not enroll in the Certificate program.
Current UMass Boston History MA students who are also seeking a Certificate in Public History may use up to two courses (6 credits) to satisfy both the MA and Certificate requirements. Thus, such students must complete a total of 42 credits to receive both the History MA and the Certificate in Public History. However, Archives MA students who are also seeking a Certificate in Public History must complete both HIST 698 Internship in Public History and HIST 635 Internship in Archives and Information Management. These students must complete two different internships to receive both the History MA in the Archives track and a Public History Certificate.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Jane Becker
Director of Public History, History Department
617-287-6885