History Master of Arts Degree Program

The History MA curriculum has been updated as of Fall 2023. The new program requirements are reflected below. Students who were admitted to the program as of Spring 2023 and prior should view the degree requirements available at the History Master of Arts Degree Program page.

Program of Study (30 - 36 credits)

Academic Track (30 credits)

  1. Course work in History: 22 credits minimum in History, including at least -
    • One Readings Seminar (4 credits)
    • Supporting Course work: 0 - 9 credits - students are able to request courses in the social sciences and other fields as advised
  2. His 502 Prospectus Workshop (4 credit)
  3. His 510 MA Research Seminar (4 credit) - students must complete His 502 before enrolling in His 510.
  4. Foreign Language Requirement - A reading knowledge of one foreign language appropriate to the student's major field is required for M.A. candidates writing Master's theses on non-U.S. topics. The Master’s thesis is optional and not required for this program. This requirement can be fulfilled by an examination in the Department, by an examination administered by a language department with approval of the History Department, or by satisfactory completion of a graduate level language course that has been approved by the History Department. A student may not take the language examination more than twice for the MA degree.

Public History Track (36 credits, minimum)

Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits of coursework chosen from Group A, B, and C as apportioned.

  1. Group A: Academic Content Courses (14-18 credits)
    1. One Readings Seminar (4 credits)
    2. His 502 Prospectus Workshop (4 credits)
    3. His 510 MA Research Seminar (4 credits; student must enroll in His 502 before enrolling in His 510)
    4. 2 to 6 credits of History as advised (will vary based on Public History credits taken)
  2. Group B: Public History Courses (12-16 credits)
    1. His 501 Introduction to Public History (4) 
    2. And other courses selected from the following:
      • His 503 Introduction to Historical Agency Management and Practice (4)
      • His 504 Curatorial Practices for Historical Agencies (4)
      • His 505 Interpretation of Historic Sites and Artifacts (4)
      • His 506 History Museums (4)
      • His 508 Material Culture Studies (4)
      • His 509 Introduction to Historic Preservation (4)
      • His 594 Practicum in Oral/Aural History (4)
      • His 596 Practicum in Digital History (4)
      • His 597 Practicum in Historical Documentary Filmmaking (4)
      • His 598 Practicum in Historical Narrative (4)
  3. Group C: His 798 Internship in Public History (6 credits)

Please note: The Public History concentration for this program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If applicants have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of the intended academic program.

Collaborative M.A. in History and J.D. in Law

The University at Albany’s Department of History and the Albany Law School have established a collaborative arrangement for graduate students seeking to obtain a Master of Arts (M.A.) in History and the Juris Doctor (J.D.) in Law, via execution of a formal Articulation Agreement. The University will credit Albany Law School students with up to six elective credits toward M.A. History program requirements by completion of relevant Albany Law School courses. Similarly, Albany Law School will credit law students who enter the History M.A. program with up to twelve relative elective credits toward the completion of the J.D. degree of 99 credits.