30
Credit-Hour Degree
12
Credit-Hour Certificates

Degree

  • Master of Arts https://www.stmarytx.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/public-history-project-900×600-1.jpg

Format

  • In-Person

Department

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Master’s in Public History at St. Mary’s

The Master of Arts in Public History at St. Mary’s University celebrates the rich heritage of San Antonio and the surrounding region. The program immerses students in the study of local history, heritage tourism and digital methodologies of public humanities work. 

The Public History graduate program builds on the Department of History’s robust track record of interpreting history in real-world settings. Public History graduate students contribute to projects at the local, state and national levels through class projects, internships and graduate assistantships. The program prepares students for professional employment by providing opportunities to produce a diverse portfolio of public history work. 

Program of Study

The 30-credit-hour Master of Public History is designed for aspiring public historians, K-12 educators and professionals wishing to pursue advanced professional training in public history.

We specialize in preparing graduates skilled at using digital tools and media to curate public history experiences in a variety of tourist and cultural environments. 

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  • Earn Two Degrees

    This program allows qualified students to complete the requirements for a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Arts in Public History degree in five years — saving you money and time.

    Learn more about combined degrees

What can I do with a master’s in Public History?

Develop Real-World Experience

The Public History graduate program builds on the Department of History’s robust track record of interpreting history in real-world settings. The program builds on projects and partnerships with local, state and national institutions including: 

  • Archdiocese of San Antonio 
  • Bullock Texas State History Museum 
  • City of San Antonio, Office of Historic Preservation 
  • Esperanza Peace and Justice Center 
  • Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. 
  • Fort Sam Houston 
  • Museums in the Rio Grande Valley, Chicago and Springfield, Illinois 
  • San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum 
  • Texas World War I Centennial Committee 
Public History Projects

Internship and Career Opportunities

  • The Alamo
  • Bexar County Information Technology
  • Esperanza Peace and Justice Center
  • San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum
  • San Antonio Museum of Art
  • San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
  • The Smithsonian’s Museum of American History
  • UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures 

Fellowships, Assistantships and Financial Aid

The Department of History offers assistantships to qualified and interested students studying Public History. Each assistantship or fellowship is accompanied by a stipend and a commitment to work at least 10 hours a week in addition to academic course work.  Students must be enrolled in at least six credit hours in the graduate Public History program in order to qualify. 

Most assistantships allow students to engage in Public History methodologies with a faculty member to further their understanding and appreciation of their course work. At least one assistantship may be reserved to provide administrative and project management assistance to the Public History program director. 

Successful candidates gain fluency in Public History methods, project management skills, volunteer management skills and data collection tactics.

Placements include any of the active Public History Projects currently ongoing within the Department of History or newly established projects to celebrate the San Antonio Tricentennial, San Antonio’s rich Hispanic heritage or a partnership within the special collections of the Louis J. Blume Library at St. Mary’s University.

Applying to pursue a Public History Assistantship is simple and easy. Students must simply:

  1. Complete and submit the Graduate Application for Admission as a Public History student and indicate their interested in pursuing a graduate assistantship on the application form.
  2. Be prepared to participate in a telephone, Skype, or in-person interview with the Public History program director and/or other faculty members.

If you have any questions about the assistantship options, please contact Lindsey Wieck at lwieck@stmarytx.edu.

Public History Assistantships

This program supports the ongoing efforts of the School of Law to collect, prepare and showcase the stories of the School of Law, law students and our alumni who have made an impact on our local communities.

Working alongside the faculty and staff of the School of Law students further develops students’ understanding of Public History, volunteer management, story collection and curation, and multi-media displays.

Interested students who wish to apply for a Public History Fellowship must:

  1. Complete and submit the Graduate Application for Admission as a Public History student and indicate their interested in pursuing a graduate assistantship on the application form.
  2. Be prepared to participate in a telephone, Skype, or in-person interview with the Public History program director and/or other faculty members.

If you have any questions about the assistantship options, please contact Lindsey Wieck at lwieck@stmarytx.edu.

School of Law Public History Fellows

St. Mary’s University offers various scholarships, grants and assistantships for graduate students. Military and their dependents as well as Department of Defense employees may be eligible for a tuition discount. 

Please contact the Office of Financial Assistance at 210-436-3141 or finaid@stmarytx.edu for additional information or visit the Financial Aid page.

Financial Aid

Admission Requirements and Process

Admission is granted to those with a high promise of success in graduate study. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university. Applicants must submit a résumé, undergraduate transcripts and the application.

To discuss specific admission procedures and requirements for the Public History program, contact the Office of Graduate Admission at 210-436-3101 or graduate@stmarytx.edu.

Faculty

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