COURSE CURRICULUM

The Museum Studies option within the Master of Arts in History at University of New Hampshire requires a minimum of 30 graduate credits and is designed to integrate advanced historical training with practical professional experience in museums and public history institutions. Students complete ten history courses, including required coursework such as HIST 871 Museum Studies and HIST 872 Studies in Regional Material Culture, along with two additional 900-level history courses that ensure advanced academic depth. A defining feature of the program is the requirement of two internships at museums or historic sites, where students apply academic knowledge in real-world settings. These internships provide hands-on experience in key professional activities such as exhibit research and design, cataloging and interpreting collections, developing educational programming for K–12 audiences, conducting oral history interviews, and managing public programming initiatives. In addition to coursework and internships, students must complete a final capstone requirement, which may take the form of a one-hour oral examination or a major project in museum studies. The oral exam assesses competence in both museum studies and a second history field selected by the student, such as Early American History, Atlantic World history, or Women’s History, while the project option allows students to produce substantial applied work under faculty supervision. Both pathways require guidance from a three-member faculty committee. The program is supported by nationally recognized faculty with expertise across diverse historical fields and emphasizes professional preparation through strong regional connections with museums and cultural organizations. Graduates have gone on to careers in institutions such as the American Independence Museum, Canterbury Shaker Village, Currier Museum of Art, Strawbery Banke Museum, and other public history venues, demonstrating the program’s strong track record in preparing students for museum and cultural heritage careers.