m.a. program in public humanities

Master’s in Public Humanities

The John Nicholas Brown Center administers the Department of American Civilization’s M.A. in public humanities. Students in this program (which can be completed either as a terminal master’s program or as part of the Ph.D. program) gain the knowledge and skills needed for jobs in museums, historical societies, state and federal humanities and cultural resource agencies, and historic preservation and community cultural development organizations.

Drawing on the resources at Brown and the Rhode Island School of Design, the program addresses a diverse range of organizations, media, and subject matter, combining courses in humanities disciplines with hands-on learning. Students in the program develop subject matter expertise in history, literature, archaeology, anthropology, media and performance, public policy, or art history; a thorough understanding of the history, theory, and methods of the public humanities; and the practical skills needed to work with museum artifacts, create exhibits or Web sites, conduct oral histories, undertake historic preservation projects, and develop and manage cultural programs. By combining the ideas and traditions of diverse communities with the methods and skills of humanities scholars, students in the M.A. program will help to broaden the ways that Americans understand their cultural heritage.

Students in the M.A. program complete two years of courses, including three required classes and nine elective courses. Students are encouraged to take courses in departments across the University, and at the Rhode Island School of Design.

Review a list of courses showing the range of interests of students in the program

In addition, students undertake two practicums, gaining professional experience and the opportunity to reflect on the theory and practice of the field. In recent years, students have worked at museums (including the Smithsonian, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Baseball Hall of Fame, and the International Folk Art Museum), local historical societies, the National Park Service, and Providence’s New Urban Arts program.

Review full list of student practicums

Public humanities M.A. students are eligible for partial financial aid. In recent years, most students have received fellowships that cover approximately fifty percent of tuition costs. Students in good standing can expect to receive similar support for their second year of the program. Stipends for summer internships and part-time jobs in public humanities-related work are available for many students. There are occasional masters teaching assistantships available for M.A. students.

One fully-supported two-year fellowship is available each year for a student pursuing an M.A. in public humanities who is interested in working in museums and other cultural institutions on issues related to the history and legacy of slavery. The fellowships are intended to help prepare future professionals who can help museums and cultural institutions address controversial issues, teaching the public and initiating broad conversations about slavery and retrospective justice. The fellowships cover tuition, fees, and a stipend. Students interested in this fellowship should indicate their interest in the personal statement and explain how their academic and professional preparation and career goals make them appropriate candidates for this fellowship. To learn more about the fellowship, please view our flyer.

The John Nicholas Brown Center supports the Department of American Civilization’s M.A. in public humanities with a variety of programs, lectures, and workshops. In the Carriage House Gallery, students experiment with a variety of exhibit styles and techniques. Center staff and students work with cultural organizations and museums across the U.S. to enhance and expand their programs. Internationally, the Center is developing a partnership with the cultural heritage and management programs at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Link to public humanities wiki