History MA, Museums, Heritage and Public History Emphasis

The MA in Museums, Heritage, and Public History joins theoretical and practical study at an advanced level to prepare students for careers in museums, heritage institutions, historic sites and societies, and related organizations.  The program works closely with cultural resources in St Louis, particularly the city’s many museums and historic sites.  We focus on community engagement, the interdisciplinary and cross-cultural study of material culture, interpreting and debating the past, new media and public education, and research in archival and material collections. Our graduates work in art museums, history museums, science centers, historic house museums, and other cultural institutions across the United States and internationally.

Career Outlook for M. A. in Museums, Heritage, and Public History

According to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, there are more than 35,000 museums in the United States, employing more than 400,000 individuals. History museums constitute forty-eight percent of the total museums in the country; there are more than 16,800 historical societies and historic preservation organizations alone. While job requirements vary among individual institutions and specific professional roles, the MA degree offered by this program qualifies graduates for a wide range of careers in the museum and heritage field. Faculty and mentors in the Museum Studies Program provide students with placement assistance, counseling, and access to information on career opportunities. Our alumni are employed at institutions around the country, from Santa Fe to Philadelphia, Minneapolis to Dallas.

The MA in History with an emphasis in Museum, Heritage, and Public History may be taken as a terminal degree by students intending to become museum professionals or public historians. Students may focus their studies on subdisciplines such as museum curation, digital public history, collection or archival management, or other areas.

Admission Requirements 

Prospective students for the Master of Arts in History with an emphasis in Museums, Heritage, and Public History must apply specifically for this program on the graduate application. Applications for the Master of Arts in History with an emphasis in Museums, Heritage, and Public History will be accepted only for the fall semester.

Prospective students must demonstrate high academic potential. Typically, the History department admits only students with at least a 3.2 grade point average in their undergraduate major; most successful applicants have higher grades. An undergraduate major in History is not required for admission to this program.  Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, preferably from former teachers and/or employers, and a sample of their written work. Applicants must also complete the Museums, Heritage, and Public History Supplemental Application, which includes a statement of career intent.

Admissions decisions are based on the undergraduate transcript, the letters of recommendation, and the sample of written work.

Applications must be received by the university no later than February 1.

Program Requirements

All candidates for the MA in History with an emphasis in Museums, Heritage, and Public History must complete the following core courses (25 hours).

HIST 6000	The Historian's Craft	3
HIST 6001	Introduction to Public History and Cultural Heritage	3
HIST 6131	Museum Origins and Evolution	3
HIST 6133	Digital Public History	3
HIST 6127	Museums and Communities	3
HIST 6142	Readings in U.S. History	5
or HIST 6143	Readings in World History
HIST 6126	Museum Studies Internship	5
or HIST 6138	Museum Studies Capstone Project
Total Hours		25

Candidates must also complete 9 credit hours of elective courses.  These may include courses listed above, if not already taken for the core, or additional courses which may include the following.

HIST 6002	Material Culture in Historical Context	3
HIST 6129	Emerging Museum Practices	3
HIST 6134	History Curatorship	3
HIST 6139	Practicum in Exhibit and Program Development	3
ART HS 5593	Museum Management and Curatorial Practice	3
POL SCI 6300	Leadership and Management in NonProfit Organizations	3
P P ADM 6311	Staff Management Issues in Nonprofit Organizations	1
P P ADM 6312	Legal Issues in Managing Nonprofit Organizations	1
P P ADM 6313	Financial Issues in Managing Nonprofit Organizations	1

Students may substitute other courses with approval of the Director of the Museums, Heritage, and Public History program. For courses outside the History Department, a maximum of six credits may be at the 3000 level.  No 3000 level courses may be taken for graduate credit within the History Department.

Candidates conclude the degree with an internship or exit project represented by the course numbered HIST 6138 (5 credits). This capstone project will be customized to the interests and career aspirations of each student, as approved in advance by the Director.

Total hours for Program: 34

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Conduct original historical research based on disciplinary protocols
• Demonstrate competence in digital technologies utilized in the creation, presentation, and distribution of interpretive content
• Assess contemporary activities in the field of museums, heritage, and public history with reference to best practices
• Develop skills for communicating interpretive content effectively with public and professional audiences
• Demonstrate skills to become a competent professional and ethical contributor to museum, heritage, and public history collaborative settings
• Integrate community perspectives into professional museum, heritage, and public history products and activities