MA in Public History | Heritage Studies

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100% 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

Uncover the Stories of the Past with Liberty’s Public History – Heritage Studies Master’s Degree

Discover how your passion for history can make a difference in your community and beyond with Liberty University’s online Master of Arts (MA) in Public History – Heritage Studies. This advanced program can help prepare you to dive deep into the rich narratives of the past while seeking to equip you with practical skills to preserve and communicate history in meaningful ways. Whether you’re looking to work as a genealogist, researcher, cultural tourism professional, or in another public history role, this degree can help you combine your love of history with a commitment to serving others.

As a graduate of this program, you can have the tools to contribute to the field of public history, making historical traditions accessible and relevant to today’s society. Your work could enrich communities by fostering an appreciation for cultural heritage, encouraging responsible stewardship of historical resources, and shaping future generations’ understanding of their roots.

At Liberty, you’ll also explore history through a Christian lens, gaining a deeper appreciation for how historical narratives align with a biblical worldview. As you study ways to preserve and share the stories of the past, you can be equipped to impact the future, creating opportunities to influence culture and community with a lasting legacy.

Your officially conferred degree name will be Master of Arts (MA) in Public History – Heritage Studies.

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Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
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Why Choose Liberty’s MA in Public History – Heritage Studies Degree?

Choosing Liberty University’s online MA in Public History – Heritage Studies means you’ll be joining a program that blends academic rigor with the flexibility you need to continue your career journey. What sets Liberty apart is our unique blend of academic excellence and a strong foundation in Christian values.

As a leader in distance education since 1985, Liberty knows how to craft an online experience that fits into your life without compromising on quality. With no set login times and 100% online coursework, you can advance your education while balancing your personal and professional commitments. Whether you’re aiming for a career in libraries, museums, cultural tourism, or public history, the specialized training you receive at Liberty can help you work toward your career goals.

Additionally, our accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) ensures that you’re receiving a high-quality education that meets rigorous academic standards. With a degree from Liberty, you can be equipped to pursue your passion for history. Our accreditation not only validates the quality of your degree but could potentially open up opportunities in the public history career field, whether you’re seeking employment in research, education, cultural tourism, or another related area.

What Will You Study in Our Online Public History – Heritage Studies MA Degree?

In our online Master of Arts in Public History – Heritage Studies program, you’ll explore a wide range of topics that can help deepen your understanding of historical traditions, cultural preservation, and public history. Your studies will draw from diverse fields, helping you work to develop tools to analyze, preserve, and present history in ways that resonate with today’s audiences. You’ll dive into the rich traditions of Western history and American cultural heritage, studying how these narratives have shaped democratic and free-market institutions throughout history.

One of the core areas of study in this program is public history. You’ll engage with foundational concepts and methods in courses focused on public history theory, local history research, and digital history. These courses can help equip you with the skills to bring historical knowledge to broader audiences, whether through museum exhibitions, archives, community history projects, or digital platforms. You’ll also study America’s Christian heritage, exploring the profound impact of faith on the development of American culture and society.

In addition to these core subjects, the program offers courses in subjects like oral history, genealogical research, and heritage tourism. With topics like these, you can tailor your degree to your specific interests and career goals within heritage studies. So, whether you’re passionate about preserving family history, working in museum studies, or promoting cultural tourism, our heritage studies specialization can help.

Throughout your coursework, you can develop practical skills in historical research, digital content creation, and public engagement, which can help you prepare to pursue a career in museums, national parks, nonprofits, archives, and more. With Liberty’s focus on real-world application and hands-on learning, you can work to make a lasting impact in the growing field of public history.

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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 Online Master’s in Public History – Heritage Studies

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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Frequently Asked Questions About Our MA in Public History – Heritage Studies Degree

What is heritage studies?

Heritage studies is the exploration and preservation of history, culture, and traditions that shape societies. In this field, you’ll study how cultural heritage – such as artifacts, historical sites, customs, and traditions – impacts communities today and influences the future. By understanding and protecting these elements, you can help ensure that they remain accessible for future generations.

Heritage studies also involves examining the ways in which history is communicated to the public, whether through museums, archives, tourism, or digital platforms. Ultimately, you can learn to bridge the past and the present, making history relevant and meaningful in today’s world.

What degree do I need to work at a museum?

How does Liberty University’s Christian perspective influence the heritage studies program?

Liberty University’s Christian perspective plays a key role in shaping the heritage studies program by emphasizing the importance of understanding history through a biblical worldview. As you study the cultural and historical narratives that have shaped societies, you’ll explore how Christian values and beliefs have influenced the development of civilizations, institutions, and traditions. This perspective encourages you to see history not just as a record of events, but as a way to understand God’s work throughout time.

Can this degree help me work in genealogy or cultural tourism?

Liberty University’s master’s in public history – heritage studies offers courses that focus on genealogical research, where you’ll study how to trace family histories, preserve records, and assist individuals or organizations in uncovering their heritage. These skills are highly valuable in libraries, archives, and historical societies, as well as in private genealogical consulting.

With regards to cultural tourism, this degree can help equip you to engage the public with history in meaningful ways. Through courses in public history, heritage tourism, and museum studies, you can gain the tools to develop educational programs, design exhibits, and promote historical sites that attract and educate visitors.

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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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MA in Public History – Heritage Studies Master’s Degree Explore the Rich Tapestry of History and Culture – Shape the Future Through the Past

Uncover the Stories of the Past with Liberty’s Public History – Heritage Studies Master’s Degree

What Sets Us Apart?

Why Choose Liberty’s MA in Public History – Heritage Studies Degree?

What Will You Study in Our Online Public History – Heritage Studies MA Degree?

Potential Career Opportunities

Featured Courses

Degree Information

Not sure what to choose?

Tuition & Aid

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Admission Information for Our Online Master’s in Public History – Heritage Studies

Admission Requirements

Preliminary Acceptance

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy

Transcript Policies

Admissions Office Contact Information

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Frequently Asked Questions About Our MA in Public History – Heritage Studies Degree

What is heritage studies?

What degree do I need to work at a museum?

How does Liberty University’s Christian perspective influence the heritage studies program?

Can this degree help me work in genealogy or cultural tourism?

Are you ready to change your future?

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