Master of Arts in History
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.
Spotlight on History Students and Alums
Sharing the Untold Stories at Queer History Boston
Mik Hamilton '24MS ‘24MA is the archivist at Queer History Boston, a community archive dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the rich LGBTQ+ histories of Boston and New England. Hamilton shares how the dual degree in LIS: archives management and history at Simmons prepared them for a dream job just before graduation.
Specializing in Visual Literacy and Women’s Military History
Aurora Daniel ’26MSMA had the honor of serving as the president of the Library and Information Science Student Association, the student government for Simmons’ School of Library and Information Science while pursuing her Masters in Library and Information Science and Master of Arts in History.
Archivist Cherishes Communal Essence of Libraries
National Library Lovers’ Month is, according to the Boston Public Library, “a time to recognize the value of libraries and all the special things we love about them.” To celebrate National Library Lovers’ Month, we spoke with University Archivist Kelsey Kolbet ’21MS/MA about her love of archives and women’s history, and why she chose Simmons.
Students Discuss Archival Internship in The Pilot
Students Emily Greco and James Kaeser recently concluded fall semester internships at the Archdiocese of Boston Archives. They shared their reflections about this unique experience in a published interview with The Pilot.
The Extroverted Archivist: Engaging the Underrepresented in Archives
Bridgett Johnson-Pride '18MAMS was named Director of Public Services for Archives and Special Collections at Harvard University in October, 2023. We caught up with Johnson-Pride about her current role, and how she engages with patrons as an extroverted archivist.
Sacha Lamb '20MS/MA Embraces Queerness and Jewish Folklore in Debut Novel
What led you to study Library and Information Science at Simmons? I had wanted to be a librarian for a long time. I love organizing things, so it seemed like a good fit. I grew up in the Boston area...
The Mary Eliza Project Recognizes Boston's First Women Voters
Faculty and students at Simmons have joined to create the Mary Eliza Project , transcribing voter registers to create a searchable database of the more than 50,000 women who registered to vote in Boston in the months following the Nineteenth...
A Tale of Two Librarians: SLIS alumnae/i at Cambridge Public Library
Librarian Sarah Yasuda '20MS and Archivist Alyssa Pacy '06MS, '07MA reflect on how their studies at Simmons SLIS impacted their careers, the unique rewards of public library work, and the coolest items you can find in the Cambridge Public Library...
Our Faculty
Sarah Leonard
Associate Professor and Department Chair of History, and Graduate History Program Director
Steve Berry
Associate Professor