Master of Arts in History, Public History Specialization, Cultural Resource Management & Historic Preservation Option, Plan B

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in History, Public History Specialization, Cultural Resource Management & Historic Preservation Option, Plan B prepares students for careers in CRM and Historic Preservation through courses in historical research, architectural history, heritage studies, digital history, community engagement, and hands-on experience. The program culminates in a portfolio and oral examination and offers opportunities for internships and practica. Graduates are equipped with skills for positions in federal or state agencies, city planning, consulting firms, and non-profits.

Program Outline

Master of Arts in History, Public History Specialization, Cultural Resource Management & Historic Preservation Option, Plan B

Degree Overview:

The Master of Arts in History, Public History Specialization, Cultural Resource Management & Historic Preservation Option, Plan B is a specialized degree program designed to provide training in historical method and theory, architectural history, heritage studies, digital history, community engagement, and hands-on experience in Cultural Resource Management (CRM) and Historic Preservation. This program prepares students for careers in federal or state land management agencies, city planning offices, consulting firms, and non-profit organizations.

Objectives:

Students who successfully complete the program will be able to:

• Develop historical research questions and conduct historical synthesis, analysis, and interpretation using primary and secondary source research.
• Develop critical reading, speaking, and writing skills essential to professional historical practice.
• Define historical narratives and develop both breadth and depth of knowledge in U.S. historiography.
• Develop fluency in architectural vocabulary and architectural history analysis methods.
• Conduct hands-on fieldwork in CRM and Historic Preservation.
• Define the concepts of history, heritage, culture, memory, preservation, and resource management.
• Discuss laws and policies governing CRM and Historic Preservation.
• Develop project management and community engagement skills.

Outline:

The program requires a minimum of 37 credits and is structured around a combination of required courses, electives, and a portfolio and oral examination.

Required Courses:

• Historical Method and Practice:
• HIST 501: Historical Method: Historiography (3 credits)
• HIST 579: Professional Development Seminar (1 credit)
• Additional Required Courses:
• HIST 354: American Architectural History (3 credits)
• HIST 478/ANTH 478: Heritage Resource Management (3 credits)
• HIST 503: Historical Method: Preservation (3 credits)
• HIST 511: Reading Seminar: U.S. to 1877 (3 credits)
• HIST 512: Reading Seminar: U.S.
Since 1877 (3 credits)
• HIST 611: Research Seminar: United States (3 credits)
• HIST 640: Research Seminar--Public History (3 credits)
• Electives:
• Select one course from the following:
• HIST 502: Historical Method: Archives
• HIST 504: Historical Method: Museums
• HIST 505: Historical Method - Digital History
• HIST 540: Material Culture
• Select one course from the following:
• HIST 520: Reading Seminar-Europe to 1815
• HIST 521: Reading Seminar-Europe Since 1815
• HIST 530: Reading Seminar: Africa
• HIST 531: Reading Seminar: Latin America
• HIST 532: Reading Seminar: Middle East
• HIST 533: Reading Seminar: East Asia
• HIST 534: Reading Seminar: South Asia
• HIST 539: Reading Seminar--World Environmental History
• HIST 621: Research Seminar--International
• Select one course from the following:
• HIST 586: Practicum
• HIST 587: Internship
• Elective 1 (3 credits)

Assessment:

The program culminates in a portfolio and oral examination.

Careers:

The program prepares students for careers in:

• Federal or state land management agencies
• City planning offices
• Consulting firms
• Non-profit organizations

Other:

• Coursework is based in small seminars and stresses historiography, research methods, and hands-on experience.
• Students are required to complete at least three credits of internship.
• The program is offered as Plan B, which means students are not required to write a thesis.