History and Archives (M.A.)
The M.A. in History and Archives provides professional training in the fields of archive administration and public history. Generally, students in the Master of Arts program will complete an internship with an archive (including, potentially, digital archives) and complete a professional project as part of their studies. Projects may include, but are not limited to, writing historically interpretative material for a public exhibit, digitally transcribing archival holdings, or developing a user guide to a manuscript collection. Students may also choose to complete an archive-based historical research project and thesis. The program offers a “4 plus 1” option for current undergraduate students who wish to complete their studies without interruption at the Masters level in the field of History and Archives.
Admissions Criteria
Students with a baccalaureate degree in any field may apply for admission to this graduate program on a part-time or full-time basis. Admission will be based upon the evaluation of undergraduate transcripts, a writing sample, and a statement of interest and intended study in the program. All students must submit an application for Graduate Study in History and Archives, including required materials, to the Graduate Studies Office. For additional information refer to the Graduate Application. All students will select a graduate history faculty adviser upon matriculation to the program.
4 Plus 1 Option Admission Criteria
Any student with 74 undergraduate credits may apply for admission to the M.A. program.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements (35 credits) | ||
| HIST-650 | Grad Topics in Hist and Archiv (3 semesters) | 12 |
| HIST-651 | Intro: Hist & Archive Studies | 4 |
| HIST-652 | Archival Methods & Administrat | 5 |
| HIST-660 | Hist Archival Research/Intern | 6 |
| HIST-670 | Graduate Thesis/Project (1-2 semesters) | 8 |
| Total Credits | 35 | |
4 Plus 1 Option: Baccalaureate Degree and M.A. in History and Archives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements (120 Baccalaureate credits, 35 graduate credit hours) | ||
| During their senior year, admitted students will take two HIST-650 graduate classes (eight total credits) that will count toward both their baccalaureate degree and M.A. degree in History and Archives. For current undergraduate history majors, the two HIST-650 courses will also fulfill the 400-level course requirements for the major. | ||
Degree Requirements
Educators or other interested professionals may take HIST-650 Grad Topics in Hist and Archiv (which may be repeated as topics vary), HIST-651 Intro: Hist & Archive Studies, and HIST-652 Archival Methods & Administrat for professional development purposes without enrolling in the M.A. in History and Archives Program. If they decide to enroll in the program, they may apply these courses toward the M.A.
Upon completion of the History and Archives M.A. degree, students will:
- Acquire the core knowledge of the profession, focusing on the nature of records and the basic archival functions of records appraisal, acquisition, arrangement, description, preservation, reference, access, outreach, and archives administration.
- Gain essential contextual knowledge of the sociocultural factors shaping archival records as they are created and managed over time in different communities of practice and localities.
- Understand and appreciate ethical considerations inherent in selection of material for acquisition and preservation and in the method of exhibition of material.
- Engage in the advanced study of historiography to better understand how historians applying different theoretical and methodological approaches might utilize archival holdings.
- Formulate historical arguments and communicate those arguments in clear and persuasive prose.
- Demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and skills involved in historical practice by conceptualizing and executing a significant piece of original research.