Online Master’s in Public History

Degree Options

Online,* 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026

Dedicate Your Career to the Preservation of History with Liberty’s Online Master’s in Public History

In light of the technological advances of the 21st century and the ever-changing cultural landscape, it’s sometimes easy to forget about historical figures, events, and artifacts. Too often, we give our past little thought or regard – though there is a tremendous amount of wisdom to be gleaned from it. From the U.S. to Europe, China, and Australia, the pen of history has spilled its ink across the globe – gracing buildings, battlefields, remote areas, and cities. By conferring Liberty University’s online Master of Arts (MA) in Public History, you can learn to make sense of this history and share it with others.

This public history graduate program seeks to equip you with the skills you need to convey historical information to the general public. Our online public history master’s program can help you pursue careers in museums, archival departments, national parks, and other areas that deal with the preservation of history. Partner with us, explore how to share historical knowledge with others, and take your career to new heights.

*Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.

What is Public History?

Public history is an area of historical study that goes beyond academia and classrooms. Though public historians do teach others, they don’t necessarily do so in classroom settings – instead opting for a storytelling approach that helps them connect with their listeners. Public history centers on an attempt to create public awareness of history without academic lectures or tests.

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What Will You Study in Our Public History Graduate Program?

Our master’s degree in public history is made up of 3 sections: core courses, an archeology course, and elective courses.

In the core courses of this public history degree, you will explore archival methods, theories of public history, and museum studies. You will also study conservation and preservation, local historical research, digital history, and America’s Christian heritage. In addition, the core section of this degree covers grant writing and includes a history internship.

This public history degree online also offers you the opportunity to study historical archeology or complete archeological field studies. Whether you’d like to gain hands-on experience during your degree or simply discover more about historical archeology, our MA in Public History online has an option for you.

In addition to providing core courses and an archeology class, this degree allows you to choose 6 credit hours of elective courses. You can study nonprofit management, geographical information systems, remote sensing, historical filmmaking, or strategic communication campaigns for the digital age – thereby gaining a diverse skill set.

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Degree Information

Why Choose Liberty’s Online Public History Master’s Degree?

As a pioneer in distance education since 1985, we understand what it takes to design a respected online degree program that challenges you to grasp new concepts while honoring your personal commitments. Our MA in Public History is offered online with no set login times and no required intensives – allowing you to remain committed to your family, career, and community throughout your degree.

Additionally, Liberty University holds institutional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This accreditation ensures that our degree programs have met high academic standards and are capable of helping you pursue your career goals.

Our MA in Public History won’t just help you learn about the past and develop the ability to share history with others – it may help you break into a career field that you are passionate about.

Potential Career Opportunities for Our MA in Public History

Archaeological assistant
Archivist
Conservator
Curator
Digital exhibit designer
Digital humanities specialist
Genealogical researcher

Historian
Information architect
Landscape architect
Museum curator
Museum conservator
Restoration specialist

Master’s in Public History Degree Options

Our public history online master’s degree provides a few versatile pathways to help you bring history to life for diverse audiences. Whether your interests lie in preserving archival records, engaging communities with cultural heritage, or using digital tools to share historical narratives, you can help pick a program that helps to equip you with specialized skills to make an impact in your area of interest.

Generalized Track (No Specialization)

Liberty University’s Master of Arts (MA) in Public History can help prepare you to share and preserve history beyond traditional academic settings. This program can help equip you for careers in museums, cultural institutions, and archival organizations.

View the Degree Completion Plan.

*Please note that this is not a specialization. Any reference using the term “General” is the main degree and is only used to differentiate from other specializations.

Archives Management

Liberty University’s Master of Arts (MA) in Public History – Archives Management can help you develop the specialized skills needed to preserve and organize historical documents, photographs, and other records. Through courses focused on archival theory, digital tools, and collection management, you can prepare to work in libraries, museums, government agencies, or corporate archives. If you’re passionate about protecting history and making it accessible to future generations, this program can be a strong next step.

View the Degree Completion Plan.

Digital Humanities

Heritage Studies

Liberty University’s Master of Arts (MA) in Public History – Heritage Studies explores the cultural, historical, and social significance of heritage within communities. This program focuses on understanding and interpreting heritage through research, analysis, and engagement, providing a deep exploration of how heritage shapes identity and culture.

View the Degree Completion Plan.

Historic Preservation

Liberty University’s Master of Arts (MA) in Public History – Historic Preservation can help you acquire the skills to conserve and protect historic buildings, landscapes, artifacts, and archaeological sites. With coursework in conservation techniques, remote sensing, and field archaeology, you can prepare to pursue roles in museums, historic site conservation, national parks, and heritage management. If you’re passionate about safeguarding history and making heritage accessible to communities, this degree can be the ideal next step.

View the Degree Completion Plan.

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

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Tuition & Aid

At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.

Graduate Full Time	$580/Credit
Graduate Part Time	$645/Credit
Military Graduate	$290/Credit

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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Admission Information for Our Master’s in Public History Degree

Admission Requirements

Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits from an accredited institution will be assessed on the basis of the master’s-level degree work.
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application.
Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy

Transcript Policies

Unofficial College Transcript Policy

Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:

Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
Cumulative GPA
A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
Degree and date conferred (if applicable)

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.

If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Admissions Office Contact Information

Submit your application online or over the phone.

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Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

Active Duty
Reserve/National Guard
Veterans/Retirees
Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
Current Department of Defense Employees

Available Benefits:

Tuition discounts – $290 per credit hour for graduate courses
Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder*
8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)

*Not applicable to certificates.

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

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Online Master’s in Public History Shaping Leaders In History

Dedicate Your Career to the Preservation of History with Liberty’s Online Master’s in Public History

What is Public History?

What Sets Us Apart?

What Will You Study in Our Public History Graduate Program?

Featured Courses

Degree Information

Why Choose Liberty’s Online Public History Master’s Degree?

Potential Career Opportunities for Our MA in Public History

Master’s in Public History Degree Options

Generalized Track (No Specialization)

Archives Management

Digital Humanities

Heritage Studies

Historic Preservation

Not sure what to choose?

Tuition & Aid

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Admission Information for Our Master’s in Public History Degree

Admission Requirements

Preliminary Acceptance

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy

Transcript Policies

Admissions Office Contact Information

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