Archives and Public History (MA)

Department Website

Program Description

For four decades, NYU has prepared students for successful careers as archivists, museum curators, documentary editors, cultural resource managers, historical interpreters, and media specialists. The program’s Director, Professor Ellen Noonan, brings nearly 20 years of experience working in the field of public history and insures that the program is responsive to the needs of the ever evolving fields of archives and public history. Our courses emphasize a solid grounding in historical scholarship, intense engagement with digital technologies, and project-based learning. And there’s no better place to study archives and public history than New York City. Course instructors are working professionals in the field, and students can choose to intern at one or more of the city’s wide range of archival and public history institutions.

Students can pursue an MA or (if they already hold an MA in a humanities or related field) Advanced Certificate, electing to pursue a concentration in either Archives or Public History. We also offer a dual degree program in Library Science with Long Island University.

As part of their core coursework, students undertake independent research (capstone projects) using the unique resources of New York City as their public history and archives laboratory. In addition, internships are integrated with coursework, contributing to a professionalized and constructive learning environment.

Admissions

All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:

See History for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.