History (MA)

Students sitting in class

Prepare for the future by examining the past

Our understanding of history evolves with every uncovered shred of knowledge and novel insight. As we puzzle together our past, we continually seek different perspectives to better understand our place in the world today. 

Simmons’ Master of Arts in History offers a rigorous education that will teach you how to analyze historical sources that shed light on our history. We offer courses in research methods through a range of topical seminars, which will culminate in a thesis or capstone project.

With one-on-one support from expert faculty, you’ll produce original scholarship based on your unique interests. You’ll gain expertise in public history, archival research, and historical storytelling. If interested in hands-on experience, you can pursue an internship in one of Boston’s many cultural institutions and organizations.

Our program will prepare you to work as an educator, information professional, or researcher — or to apply for a PhD program. You’ll graduate ready to make meaningful contributions in your field.

Why Choose Simmons for your MA in History?

At Simmons, you’ll follow an individualized course of study. You'll explore many eras and regions, while having the flexibility to focus on your own interests.

Coursework covers the history of the Americas, modern Europe, East Asia and the Middle East. You'll examine global and comparative history, women and gender comparative histories, pasts associated with women and gender, developments for queer people and communities, maritime history, the Atlantic world, memory studies, public history, digital history, and more. 

You'll also benefit from access to a vibrant array of historic sites and manuscript collections surrounding our Boston campus. Our students have interned at places including the Massachusetts Historical Society, Cambridge Historical Society, Paul Revere House.

What Career Skills Will You Gain from a Master's Degree in History?

Our innovative curriculum will support you as you develop your skills as a historical researcher, public humanist, and storyteller. 

In our program, you will:

  • Pursue original research projects on topics of your choice, mentored by experienced faculty.
  • Bring historical projects through proposal, research, writing, and presentation.
  • Prepare for a career in public history.
  • Create research that applicants can use in their PhD applications.
  • Learn archival research and historical analysis.

Our program will equip you with many marketable skills. You’ll learn research methods, archival research, scholarly writing, and digital humanities.

Our graduates thrive in the fields of education, research, archives management, librarianship, curation, and various forms of public history. Many of our students also continue their academic journey at a doctoral level.

This program requires 36 semester hours. All students should take one course in historical methodology, (HIST 597); a series of electives for a total of 24 or 28 credits; and a culminating 4-credit or 8-credit research project or internship (fieldwork, thesis, teaching practicum, or public history internship).

Graduate Seminar Electives

Students select 16 semester hours from the following:

HIST450 Independent Study 4
HIST527 Archives, History, and Collective Memory 4
HIST 552 Transnational Labor History 4
HIST 553 Commodities in World History 0
HIST529 Film & Historical Representation 4
HIST560 Seminar in the History of Women and Gender 4
HIST561 Seminar in World History 4
HIST562 Reform and Revolutions in Asia 4
HIST565 Seminar: 9/11 Narratives 4
HIST566 Digital History 4
HIST567 Memory and the Holocaust 4
HIST568 Seminar in Public History: Sites of History 4
HIST571 Seminar in Early American History 4
HIST573 Seminar in Nineteenth-Century American History 4
HIST574 Modern US History: Digital Humanities 4
HIST575 Cold War Culture 4
HIST576 American Revolution 4
HIST577 Topics in Modern Europe 4
HIST578 Pilgrims, Prophets, & Profaners Biography & Autobiography 4
HIST 582 Insurgency and Revolution in Latin America and the Caribbean 4
HIST597 Historical Methods 4
 
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Funding Options

We offer a variety of options for funding your education.

Funding Options

Spotlight on History Students and Alums

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On December 15, 2021, Ifill College students from the Graduate programs in History and Gender & Cultural Studies presented their research at the virtual fall 2021 Colloquia. Thirteen students shared their work in front of peers, faculty, family, and friends...


Headshot of Susann Vaeth

Susann Vaeth '18MA Studies Conflicting Narratives Within History

A former high school teacher, Susann now studies the construction of texts used in schools. You recently graduated from the MA in history program at Simmons. What's next for you? I'll be pursuing a Ph.D. at Brandeis University, focusing on...