Bring history to life with SUNY Empire’s online M.A. in Public History.
This program combines research, preservation, exhibition planning, and community engagement
to prepare you for roles in museums, archives, and cultural institutions. You’ll take core courses in archival theory, oral history, and museum practices, then complete
a capstone project or internship tailored to your interests. With flexible electives
and faculty support, you’ll graduate ready to share history in meaningful and accessible ways.
Our team can help you prepare for the next step in your career.
Master of Arts in Public History
M.A.
Earn your M.A. in Public History online and prepare for a career in museums, archives,
education, or cultural organizations. This flexible program builds your skills in
research, interpretation, and public engagement so you can make history meaningful
and accessible.
This 33-credit program is comprised of 21 credits of required courses, 6 credits of electives reflecting a student's
area of focus, and 6 credits of capstone course work which includes an internship.
Below is a listing of the program's required courses as well as examples of some available
elective courses.
PBHS 6040
Museums and Public History: Theory & Practices
PBHS 6025
Public History, Ethics & Professionalism
PBHS 6325
Archival Theory & Practice
PBHS 6105
Exhibition: Planning & Interpretation
PBHS 6215
Oral History: Theory & Methods
PBHS 6245
Preservation Material & History
PBHS 6240
Preservation Policy & Law
Capstone Courses
PBHS 7005
Public History Internship
PBHS 7030
Public History Final Project
Electives (two)
To satisfy the 6-credit focus area requirement of the degree, students may choose
from a wide variety of elective courses found in the Graduate Course Catalog, or unique
courses developed in consultation with their advisor in the form of independent studies.
Just two examples of focus areas and the catalog electives that might be chosen, are
listed below. Students are not restricted to these examples and should work with their
advisor to determine the area they will focus on and the appropriate electives.
Possible Electives in American History
LACS 6122
19th Century US Culture & Society
LACS 6130
Gender Race & Nation
LACS 6160
Literature of New York
LACS 6190
American Modernism
LACS 6075
Cultural and Visual Studies
LACS 6185
American Material Culture
LACS 6145
Language & Culture
Ready to Apply?
The deadline for the Fall 2024 term is August 31. How to Apply
A Degree You Can Count On
What you'll
learn
Apply core principles of public history
Plan and assess exhibitions and programs
Conduct oral histories and archival work
Engage communities through historical storytelling
Turn Your Passion for History Into a Career
An online master’s in public history opens doors in museums, archives, education, and beyond. Graduates are prepared for
roles such as:
Margaret is a Museum Educator at the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum in the Bronx. On top
of being a working graduate student, she was also a single mother and caretaker for
her parents while attending SUNY Empire.
Margaret
Master of Arts in Public History (‘24)
Interested? Take the Next Steps
1
Bring History to Life for Today’s World
We're here to support you every step of the way, making your journey to an M.A. in Public
History flexible, engaging, and meaningful. Our dedicated advisors will help you stay
on track, build your research and preservation skills, and prepare you for impactful
work in museums, archives, education, or cultural organizations.