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College of Social Sciences & Humanities

History

Master's: Boston, MA
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The Master of Arts in History is a leading master’s program focusing on world history, public history, and the digital humanities. Our 16 full-time faculty members introduce students to a range of historical questions and methodologies through coursework, fieldwork, and research projects. Students learn to put the past in context and to discern its relevance to current conditions and future possibilities at the local, national, and global levels. Graduates have continued on to employment in an array of fields, as well as to PhD programs in history and related disciplines.

Boston, MA
Location
Full-Time
Commitment
2 years
Duration of Program
Fall, Spring
Entry Terms
Yes *
Meets F1 Visa Requirements
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Overview

Emphasizing global and applied approaches to historical study, this program provides students with rigorous training in the theory and practice of history and digital humanities through coursework. By the time they graduate, all students will have the tools to analyze the past and its present legacies. Our Boston location allows us to develop a rich set of educational and professional opportunities for students. We also feature a dynamic faculty and a commitment to socially engaged scholarship and practice.

The program offers two concentrations: World History and Public History. MA students concentrating in world history learn to think comparatively and transnationally. Students focus on historical themes that span the globe, exploring histories of trade, migration, the environment, state formation, colonialism, and other themes that intersect and connect disparate parts of the globe. MA students concentrating in public history prepare to apply their intellectual training to apply history outside of the classroom, considering issues, methods, and questions faced in historical societies, museums, archives, documentary film production, and other cultural and historical organizations. 

All students have opportunities to participate in co-ops or fieldwork in New England's wealth of historical, cultural, and nonprofit organizations. 

Learn more about the Master of Arts in History from the College of Social Sciences and Humanities.  

More Details

Unique Features

  • Master’s students may choose to complete their studies with a master’s thesis or a comprehensive exam
  • Students may apply to the master's concentration in public history, one of the oldest programs of its kind in North America
  • Candidates for the MA in World History degree must demonstrate reading competence in one foreign language

Career Outlook

Graduates of Northeastern’s master's programs in both world history and public history have gone on to work in a range of academic programs and fields around the country. Graduates who have earned a master's degree in public history are employed as editors at Harvard University Press, Bedford/St Martin’s Publishing and Houghton-Mifflin; as museum curators at the JFK Library, the Indiana Historical Society, and the Texas State Library; and as researchers at the New England Historic and Genealogical Society and the Adams National Historic Site. The diversity of these positions, as well as their prestige, speaks to the quality of graduate education at Northeastern University.

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Admissions

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-ranked university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Program Costs

$41.6K *
Tuition

Finance Your Education We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships.

How to Apply Learn more about the application process and requirements.

Requirements

  • Application
  • Application fee
  • Personal statement
  • Resume
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended
  • English proficiency for international applicants
  • GRE optional
  • Writing sample

Are You an International Student? Find out what additional documents are required to apply.

Admissions Details Learn more about the College of Social Sciences and Humanities admissions process, policies, and required materials.

Admissions Dates

Fall Term
Spring Term
Final deadline for international applicants: June 15
Final deadline for domestic applicants (non-international): August 15
Deadline for special student applicants (non-international only): August 15
Final deadline for international applicants: October 1
Final deadline for domestic applicants (non-international): December 15
Final deadline for Special Student applicants (non-international only): December 15
Curriculum

Industry-aligned courses for in-demand careers.


For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.

 

Experiential Learning

Northeastern's signature experience-powered learning model has been at the heart of the university for more than a century. It combines world-class academics with professional practice, allowing you to acquire relevant, real-world skills you can immediately put into action in your current workplace. This makes a Northeastern education a dynamic, transformative experience, giving you countless opportunities to grow as a professional and person.

Faculty

Our Faculty

Northeastern University faculty represents a broad cross-section of professional practices and fields, including finance, education, biomedical science, management, and the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside you to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

Students

By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll gain access to students at 13 campus locations, 300,000+ alumni, and 3,000 employer partners worldwide. Our global university system provides students unique opportunities to think locally and act globally while serving as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

Below is a look at where our Humanities & Social Sciences alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.

 

  • Where They Work

    • Commonwealth of Massachusetts
    • City of Boston
    • Liberty Mutual Insurance
    • Fidelity Investments
    • State Street

  • What They Do

    • Education
    • Business Development
    • Community and Social Services
    • Operations
    • Media and Communication

  • What They're Skilled At

    • Public Speaking
    • Research
    • Social Media
    • Leadership
    • Management

 

Learn more about Northeastern Alumni on Linkedin.

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