The Master of Arts in Public History program provides students both the theoretical and practical skill sets needed to perform public history work in a variety of vocations, whether as museum professionals, archivists, government contractors, community consultants, teachers both inside and outside the classroom, among others. Public historians are fundamental to shaping our understanding of the past—and our approach to the present.
Loyola University Chicago's distinguished MA in Public History prepares students to contribute to our shared knowledge of the history that informs our world today. Public history uses the past to serve a variety of contemporary needs. It entails the application of the skills and methods of history to the study, management, preservation, and interpretation of historical records and artifacts. A public historian is a professional who can put knowledge and skills to use in our society in such diverse activities as museum, historical society or archival work; neighborhood or community history projects; historic preservation and cultural resource management programs; and local, state, or federal research projects. Working with architects, librarians, business people, government policy analysts, exhibit designers or history enthusiasts, public historians contribute to our knowledge and understanding of the past.
The MA in Public History can be pursued full time or part time.
Related Programs
Curriculum
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| HIST 400 | Contemporary Approaches to History | 3 |
| Public History Media | |
| Public History: Method & Theory | |
| Management of Historic Resources | |
| Archives & Record Management | |
| Public History: Museums | |
| HIST 582 | Public History Internship | 1 |
| |
| |
| |
| Total Hours | 31 |
Comprehensive Field Examination
Toward the end of their graduate program, public history students must pass a two-hour oral examination in the field of public history before a two-person faculty committee, one of whom must be the Public History Program Director. The examination covers the field of public history and reflects the readings and assignments included in each of the public history courses as well as a review of the student’s portfolio.
There is no examination in the minor field, but students must maintain at least a B average (3.0) in the three minor field courses.
Public History Portfolio
The portfolio, which represents the capstone of the program, documents the achievements of master’s students and thereby identifies their strengths, weaknesses, and abilities as professional historians. Students begin compiling their portfolio during the first semester in the program. The portfolio will be evaluated by the two-person faculty examination committee. The portfolio will be submitted to the examination committee a minimum of two days prior to the oral exam.
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
Plan of Study Grid
| Year 1 |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| HIST 400 |
Contemporary Approaches to History |
3 |
| HIST 479 |
Public History Media |
3 |
| HIST 480 |
Public History: Method & Theory |
3 |
| | Hours | 9 |
| Spring |
|---|
| HIST 482 |
Archives & Record Management |
3 |
|
3 |
|
3 |
| | Hours | 9 |
| Summer |
|---|
| HIST 582 |
Public History Internship |
1 |
| | Hours | 1 |
| Year 2 |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
|
3 |
|
3 |
| | Hours | 6 |
| Spring |
|---|
| HIST 481 |
Management of Historic Resources |
3 |
| HIST 487 |
Public History: Museums |
3 |
| | Hours | 6 |
| | Total Hours | 31 |
Comprehensive Field Examination
Toward the end of their graduate program, public history students must pass a two-hour oral examination in the field of public history before a two-person faculty committee, one of whom must be the Public History Program Director. The examination covers the field of public history and reflects the readings and assignments included in each of the public history courses as well as a review of the student’s portfolio.
There is no examination in the minor field, but students must maintain at least a B average (3.0) in the three minor field courses.
Public History Portfolio
The portfolio, which represents the capstone of the program, documents the achievements of master’s students and thereby identifies their strengths, weaknesses, and abilities as professional historians. Students begin compiling their portfolio during the first semester in the program. The portfolio will be evaluated by the two-person faculty examination committee. The portfolio will be submitted to the examination committee a minimum of two days prior to the oral exam.
Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations
Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supersede school policies.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the MA in Public History, graduates will be able to:
- Apply the necessary skills to produce original scholarship on a chosen historical topic using primary sources while evaluating the validity of context and biases of primary and secondary sources.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the field of public history and its approach to understanding and presenting the past as well as illustrate facility with a variety of public history subfields.
