University of Massachusetts Boston

What you'll study

This master's offers a balance of advanced coursework and independent research focused on medieval and early modern Europe. Students deepen their understanding of cultural practices, religious life, intellectual movements, material culture and the circulation of texts and images across Europe from roughly the fifth to the eighteenth centuries.

• Core methods and historiography: seminars on historical methods, research design and historiographical debates in medieval and early modern studies.
• Period and regional seminars: topics such as the Early Middle Ages, High and Late Middle Ages, Renaissance Italy and the Early Modern Atlantic that allow deep chronological or regional focus.
• Cultural subjects: religion and society, book and print culture, visual and material culture, ritual and performance, gender and family, and intellectual history.
• Skills and languages: training in palaeography and diplomatic, optional Latin (or other relevant modern languages), archival research techniques and methods in digital history.
• Research project: a substantial master's thesis or a faculty-supervised capstone project that demonstrates archival engagement and original interpretation; an alternative practicum or internship in a museum, archive or cultural organisation may be available.

Courses are typically offered as small seminars that emphasise primary-source work and faculty mentorship. Students may tailor the programme around language acquisition, digital methods or public-history practice in consultation with their adviser.

Entry requirements

• Academic background: a bachelor’s degree in history or a closely related field is expected. Applicants with strong preparation in humanities or social sciences and demonstrable interest in medieval/early modern history are also considered.
• Transcripts and writing sample: official transcripts and a short academic writing sample showing ability to analyse primary and/or secondary sources are required.
• References and statement of purpose: two or three academic or professional references and a statement outlining research interests, preparation for graduate-level work and career aims.
• Language preparation: competence in relevant research languages is advantageous; students lacking language skills should outline plans for remedial study. Training in Latin is often recommended for advanced medieval work.
• Standardised tests: GRE scores are not typically required; applicants should consult the department for current testing policy.
• Additional materials: international applicants must provide proof of English-language proficiency where applicable and may be asked for additional documentation for visa purposes.

Career prospects

Graduates of this programme move into a range of careers that draw on advanced research, language and archival skills. Typical paths include:

• Doctoral study in history and related disciplines for academic careers.
• Museum and archive work, including curatorial, collections management and archival processing roles.
• Public history and cultural heritage positions in historic sites, cultural organisations and NGOs.
• Libraries, special collections and information-management careers that value palaeographic and cataloguing skills.
• Publishing, editorial work and cultural journalism, particularly on historical subjects.
• Education and outreach roles, including secondary teaching (with appropriate certification) and adult education in humanities institutions.
• Government, policy and non-profit work where research, analysis and communication of complex historical material are needed.

Why study at University of Massachusetts Boston

UMass Boston’s location in one of the nation’s richest historical and archival regions provides students with ready access to major research libraries, special collections and cultural institutions. The Department of History emphasises small seminars and close faculty mentoring, enabling robust supervision of archival thesis work and personalised guidance for professional development.

Students benefit from interdisciplinary connections across departments and centres—such as those for public history, digital humanities and migration studies—and from opportunities to undertake internships in museums, libraries and historical organisations in the Boston area. The programme’s combination of practical archival training, language support and a strong emphasis on cultural approaches makes it well suited for those aiming to pursue further research or a career in the heritage and cultural sectors.