Entrance Requirements and Applications
The minimum requirement for admission to the M.A. in Public History Program is an Honours bachelor’s degree (or the equivalent) with at least high honours standing. In their statement of interest students should clearly outline the academic research project they wish to pursue and explain their interest in the field. Normally, part-time study is not encourage in the Public History program.
NEW: Program Requirements
The requirements listed below are in the process of being approved by the University for students entering the program in Fall 2016. Students who entered the program in 2015 or earlier should consult the Program Requirements for Current Students.
All Public History M.A. students are required to take the following:
- HIST 5003: Historical Practice (0.5 credit). This course will provide students with a solid grounding in historical theory and methodology in preparation for thesis and research essay projects.
- HIST 5700: Introduction to Public History (0.5 credit)
In addition to these core requirements, students in Public History will complete:
- 1.5 credits in Public History elective courses
- 0.5 credit in a HIST graduate seminar
- 0.5 credit in any graduate-level HIST seminar. With departmental permission students may take a graduate-level course in another unit at Carleton University, at the University of Ottawa, or at another accredited institution.
- Summer Internship (0.5 credit)
- HIST 5908: Research Essay (1.0 credit)
Up to 0.5 Public History electives may be replaced by relevant graduate courses offered elsewhere in the University, with departmental permission.
Public History M.A. with a Specialization in Digital Humanities
Public History students who apply to the Digital Humanities specialization are expected to be undertaking research related to this area. Spaces in this specialization are limited, so students are first assessed for admittance to the M.A. program, and then they are assessed separately outside of the department for admission to the Digital Humanities specialization.
In addition to the core requirements, students in the Digital Humanities Specialization will complete:
- 1.0 credit in Public History elective courses
- 0.5 credit in a HIST graduate seminar
- 0.5 credit in DIGH 5000 (Issues in Digital Humanities)
- 0.5 credit in a DIGH graduate elective course
- 0.0 credit in DIGH 5800 (Professional development workshops)
- Summer Internship (0.5 credit)
- HIST 5908: Research Essay (1.0 credit)
Guidelines for Completion of Master’s Degree in Public History
Normally, students will complete most of their course work (2.5-3.0 credits) during their first year. In the summer between years 1 and 2, students are placed in a paid internship in the public or private sector. The remaining 1.0 credits of course work and the Research Essay are completed in the second year of the program. The Research Essay is expected to be an original contribution to the field, 40-60 pages in length.
Language Requirements
All candidates are required to demonstrate a reading knowledge of a language other than English, the choice to depend upon the field of the candidate’s thesis or research. For research projects dealing with sources not in English, a reading knowledge of the appropriate language will be required before acceptance into the program. Details may be obtained from the supervisor of graduate studies.