Online Master’s in Public History Shaping Leaders In History
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Degree Options
Online,* 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
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. With 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, learn 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.
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 learn 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.
Featured Courses
- HIST 503 – Public History and Archival Methods
- HIST 610 – Museum Studies*
- HIST 611 – Conservation and Preservation
- HIUS 530 – American Christian Heritage
*Course guide coming soon
Degree Information
- The online Master of Arts in Public History falls under the College of Arts and Sciences.
- View the Graduate Arts and Sciences Course Guides (login required).
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 100% 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.
Digital Humanities
Liberty University’s Master of Arts (MA) in Public History – Digital Humanities combines historical preservation and analysis with digital skills. In this track, you can study and practice how to use digital tools to connect modern audiences with the past through presentation, preservation, and in-depth analysis of historical data.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
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.
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
Graduate Full Time | $565/Credit |
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Graduate Part Time | $615/Credit |
Military Graduate | $275/Credit |
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
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.
Dual Enrollment
Please see the Online Dual Enrollment page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.
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
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
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 – $275 per credit hour for graduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)*
- 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.
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
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- What Will You Study?
- What Sets Us Apart?
- Potential Careers
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- Tuition & Aid
- Admission Information
- Military
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