Overview

Rather than being merely a collection of courses, the History MA program from University of Massachusetts Boston requires intense commitment to historical scholarship and practice. The MA serves as a terminal degree for students seeking exposure to historical study before entering a variety of careers, as well as a preparatory degree for those interested in pursuing a PhD at another institution.

Learning outcomes

The History MA program is designed to enhance the research, writing, and analytical skills of students, as well as provide a broad and advanced background in history content. Our graduates have gone on to a variety of jobs, including high-school teachers, college history professors, museum professionals, archivists, public historians, and writers.

In this program, you will:

Develop advanced knowledge of historical theories, research methods, and analytical frameworks, allowing you to critically analyze primary and secondary sources, interpret historical events, and construct well-supported arguments
Cultivate expertise in a specific historical period, region, or theme, deepening your understanding of the complexities of human experiences, cultural dynamics, and socio-political developments across different historical contexts
Hone your research, writing, and communication skills, enabling you to effectively convey historical knowledge, engage in scholarly discourse, and contribute to the broader understanding of history through your research

What you'll study

All courses in the History MA program are taught by full-time UMass Boston History faculty. Course times for graduate classes are generally in the late afternoon and early evening to accommodate working students and those with other obligations. All graduate classes are taught as small seminars with no more than 15 students per class. The course offerings cover a wide variety of U.S., European, and non-Western topics, allowing students to sample a range of historical topics. The History MA program also offers a completely online MA. Online courses are also available to students enrolled in the traditional History MA program.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Archival Methods and Practices
Transforming Archives and History in the Digital Era
Internship in Archives and Information Management
Master of Arts Thesis
Interpreting History in Public Approaches to Public History Practice
Internship in Public History

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months
Part-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-03 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-04-01 00:00:00

Language

English

IELTS

6.5

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PTE Academic

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Duolingo English Test

110

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Credits

30 SCH

Delivered

On Campus, Blended, Online

Campus Location

Boston, United States

Disciplines

History View 564 other Masters in History in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

IELTS

6.5

Free IELTS Mock Tests!

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

Duolingo English Test

110

Take A Free Practice Test!

Check IELTS test dates and locations. Book an IELTS test now!

Other requirements

General requirements

Applicants will normally be expected to have majored in history as undergraduates and maintained a 3.0 cumulative average in the major.
College Transcripts: You must provide transcripts from all colleges you attended and earned 6 credits or more.
Three letters of recommendation.
Statement of Purpose: One of the most important pieces of the application file is the personal statement or statement of purpose. The statement should be roughly 1500 words.
Writing Sample: The History Department also requires the submission of a writing sample. Ideally, an applicant’s writing sample should be a paper written for a college class, preferably in History.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE): Although the GRE is not required, we strongly recommend that applicants take the GRE and submit their scores with their application.

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

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Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at University of Massachusetts Boston and/or in United States, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fee

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International

29060 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 14530 USD per semester during 12 months.
National

29060 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 14530 USD per semester during 12 months.
In-State

14886 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 7443 USD per semester during 12 months.

Living costs for Boston

1560 - 3239 USD /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for History.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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