Online Master’s in Public History – Historic Preservation Explore How to Keep Historic Landmarks and Items for Future Generations

36

Credit Hours

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100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Are you driven to preserve history for generations to come? Discover preservation techniques, cultural heritage, and public engagement methods so you can safeguard history for future generations. From historic landmarks in the U.S. to ancient sites in Europe, China, and Australia, history has left its mark on buildings, landscapes, and cities worldwide. With Liberty University’s online Master of Arts (MA) in Public History – Historic Preservation, you can study how to protect and preserve these important sites.

This program is designed to help equip you with the skills needed to conserve historical spaces and engage the public in preserving cultural heritage. Through Liberty’s online public history and historic preservation program, you can prepare to pursue careers in historic site preservation, museums, heritage management, national parks, and other fields dedicated to safeguarding history. Join us and explore how to preserve the past within the field of historic preservation.


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What Sets Us Apart?

  • Private Nonprofit University
  • 600+ Online Degrees
  • No Standardized Testing for Admission
  • Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
  • Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

As a leader in distance education since 1985, we know what it takes to create an online degree program that’s both rigorous and flexible. Our MA in Public History – Historic Preservation is offered 100% online with no set login times or required intensives, allowing you to balance your studies with your personal and professional commitments. If you would like to gain hands-on, in-person experience, you can choose to complete an archaeological field studies course.

Pursuing our MA in Public History could help prepare you for your personal or professional goals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a master’s degree is typically required to enter the public history field.* Our program can not only help you explore the past and share it with others but also help prepare you to pursue a career you’re passionate about.

Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), ensuring that our programs meet rigorous academic standards. Earning your public history degree with Liberty is more than a short-term investment — it’s a decision that can help equip you for the future.

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, at Historians (viewed online Sep. 16, 2024). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.


Our master’s degree in public history and historic preservation is structured into 3 key components: core courses, historic preservation courses, and elective courses.

In the core courses, you will dive into public history methods and public history theory. You’ll also explore topics such as conservation, local historical research, and digital history. Your digital history course will culminate in a professional digital project. Additional coursework will cover America’s Christian heritage and how it has influenced various aspects of the American character.

As part of your historic preservation specialization, you will study advanced courses such as Remote Sensing, Historic Conservation and Preservation, and Building and Landscape Conservation. You’ll also be able to choose 1 of 2 available archaeology courses. These courses can help equip you with specialized skills for conserving and managing historic buildings, landscapes, and cultural artifacts.

As part of your archaeological studies, you’ll have the option to focus on historical archaeology or participate in an archaeological fieldwork intensive, providing hands-on experience in the field. This component can allow you to deepen your understanding of how archaeological practices contribute to preserving historical sites.

Additionally, this degree allows you to choose 3 elective courses that can further focus or expand your degree. You can study any combination of history-related courses, or you can choose a thesis option and take courses focused on research and thesis defense. One available elective course is an optional internship, which will also give you the opportunity to gain real-world experience.

Degree Completion Plan (PDF)


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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
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.


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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 service 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.