Overview

As an HSPH student you will contribute to the project of democratizing heritage by collaborating with communities to bring multiple perspectives of the past into conversation. An interdisciplinary program, the Heritage Studies and Public History program of the University of Minnesota blends elements of archival research, archaeology, material culture studies, architecture, preservation and digital humanities. In HSPH, history and heritage fuel the activism and learning necessary for a more just and equitable future.

Partnership in practice

The Heritage Studies and Public History program is made possible by a partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS). This partnership enables all HSPH master’s students to complete two paid in-semester internships and a paid summer fellowship. Working together, HSPH and MNHS combine theory and practice to foreground diversity, interdisciplinary inquiry, experiential learning, and community engagement. Minnesota Historical Society staff and leadership contribute to the program by teaching courses, mentoring students, and sharing knowledge about professional practice. The program combines rigorous scholarly training with hands-on professional development, preparing graduates for careers as curators, public historians, historic preservationists, archeologists, preservation planners, and community organizers.

Specialized tracks

All students in the HSPH program take a common core curriculum and focus their studies in one of three tracks:

archaeological heritage,

public history,

or historic preservation.

Students engage in experiential learning through embedded internships and the design and execution of a community-engaged capstone project.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Core Practices in Heritage Studies and Public History

Race and Indigeneity in Heritage Representation

Leadership and Future or Historical Organizations

Who Owns the Past?

Applied Heritage Management

Leadership and Future or Historical Organizations

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-03 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-01-15 00:00:00

Language

English

IELTS

6.5

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Credits

37 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Disciplines

Modern History Museum Studies View 84 other Masters in Museum Studies in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

IELTS

6.5

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PTE Academic

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TOEFL^® IBT

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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 Minnesota and/or in United States, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Other requirements

General requirements

Prospective students with a background in anthropology, archaeology, history, historic preservation, landscape architecture, or related fields are encouraged to apply. Students with public interpretation, museum-based, or field and/or laboratory experience are invited to submit an application

All applicants to the program will be considered and students with little or no background in heritage studies or public history are encouraged to explain how their interest and training prepare them for graduate study

Complete University of Minnesota Graduate School Application

Unofficial transcripts of all college or university coursework

Personal statement of your academic and professional goals for the degree desired (1–2 pages)

Diversity statement

Two or three letters of recommendation

Writing sample in English, from a recent related course or project

Application fee of $75. International students pay $95

TOEFL or IELTS scores

Tuition Fee

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International

29580 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 14790 USD per semester during 24 months.
National

29580 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 14790 USD per semester during 24 months.
In-State

19116 USD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 9558 USD per semester during 24 months.

Living costs for Minneapolis

1130 - 2045 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 Heritage Studies and Public 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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