Historical Studies, M.A.

Degree Requirements

The specific degree requirements are as follows: A minimum of 30 graduate credits is required. All students must take:

HIST 701 - The Study of History [3]
HIST 702 - The Practice of History [3]
at least three courses in the 700-level seminar series and
up to three courses from the 600-level series.
HIST 799 - Master’s Thesis Research [2-9] (6 Credits)
HIST 798 - Special Topics in Historical Studies [1-3] With the permission of the graduate program director, may be substituted for some courses in the 601-698 series and 710-729 series.
HIST 790 - Internship in Historical Studies [3] With the permission of the graduate program director, also may be substituted for some part of the normal series of courses

Public History Track

Public history is a form of public service. Public historians help create historical understanding by sharing authority and inquiry with a variety of partners, including audiences, museum professionals, preservationists, business leaders and others. They work as historians in museums, archives, historical societies, preservation organizations, government agencies, private corporations and media outlets (such as PBS and the History Channel). The Baltimore-Washington metropolitan region has rich opportunities for internships and employment. The UMBC Department of History has long prepared students for work in the public sector, and its graduates have a successful track record in finding employment in the field.

The public history track prepares students for careers in this sphere in three ways.

First, the track broadens students’ by understanding of historical scholarship, professionalism, and ethics.
Second, the track provides opportunities for students to build a professional portfolio of research and interpretive products.
Third, the track trains students to recognize historical methods as valuable tools for problem solving and community building.

In addition to the core requirements for the M.A. degree (see above), the required courses for the track are:

HIST 705 - Introduction to Public History [3]
HIST 790 - Internship in Historical Studies [3] (usually with one of the many historical institutions in the area)
Students are also encouraged to take
HIST 711 - Public History Practices [3]
OR
HIST 736 - Intorduction to Oral History [3]
as one of their elective courses