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Graduate Certificate in Public History

Taking history out of the classroom and into public discourse, the graduate certificate in public history teaches students how to be collaborative practicing researchers, interpreters of historical sites, and presenters of a living history. Students will have the opportunity to develop skill sets in the following areas: collecting and curating materials; creating and interpreting cultural heritage sites, events, and memorials; and contributing historical evidence to the design and production of cultural exhibits.

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Graduate Certificate in Public History

Program Features

  • Online, hybrid, and one-week institute options available
  • 15 credits, including internship
  • Fall, spring, and summer start dates
  • One year to completion
  • Courses and credits may be applied to the Master of Arts in History for students who wish to pursue advanced study in this field

Careers

New England is a region rich in cultural heritage. In the Boston metropolitan area there are over five hundred organizations whose missions include the collection, preservation, and interpretation of our historic and cultural resources. According to the 2013 Massachusetts Cultural Heritage Project, the cultural heritage sector employees more than 100,000 people. In Essex County alone, 86 historic sites and related museums are active and open to the public. As small and medium sized historical organizations look to broaden their audiences and engage with more diverse communities, the need for trained public historians will continue to grow.  

Examples of the kinds of positions that professionals with training in public history include: museum curator or educator, municipal or corporate archivist, historic preservationist, cultural resource manager, digital historian, municipal event coordinator, tour guide, and grants writer or administrator. Jobs can be found in historical heritage sites, university archives, urban planning offices, state and municipal cultural departments, economic development agencies, national and regional registries, genealogical societies, and documentary film companies. 

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