Simmons University

What you'll study

The programme combines close study of primary sources with broader cultural and intellectual contextualisation. Core seminars typically cover topics such as medieval political and religious institutions, the social and cultural history of the Renaissance and Reformation, manuscript culture and book history, and the transition from medieval to early modern mentalities.

• Palaeography and Codicology: practical training in reading and analysing manuscript sources, script variation and material history of books.
• Primary-source Methods: archival research techniques, diplomatic and textual criticism, and working with translations and editions.
• Specialist Thematic Modules: options often include gender and family in medieval Europe, religion and reform in the early modern period, urban and economic culture, visual and material culture, and intellectual history.
• Languages and Skills: support for relevant research languages (typically Latin and one modern European language) and training in digital tools for historians, such as databases, textual encoding and GIS for historical mapping.
• Research Seminar and Dissertation: advanced seminars prepare students for independent research, culminating in a substantial dissertation or research project supervised by faculty with expertise in medieval and early modern studies.

The programme encourages interdisciplinary approaches, drawing on literature, art history, religious studies and archaeology to illuminate cultural life across centuries.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised undergraduate degree in history or a related humanities discipline with strong academic performance. Departments typically look for evidence of prior engagement with historical methods or relevant coursework, and for research potential demonstrated through a writing sample.

• Academic transcripts demonstrating a good honours degree or the international equivalent.
• A statement of purpose outlining your research interests and reasons for choosing the programme.
• A writing sample (such as an undergraduate dissertation or a long essay) showing research and analytical ability.
• References—usually two academic referees—who can attest to your readiness for graduate study.
• Curriculum vitae detailing academic background and any relevant work or research experience.
• International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through recognised tests unless exempted by prior study in English.

Some applicants may be asked to attend an interview or to provide additional evidence of language competence in Latin or another research language if required for their proposed project.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a wide range of careers that value advanced research, critical thinking and archival skills. Typical pathways include further academic study (MPhil/PhD), teaching and education, and roles in museums, archives and libraries.

• Heritage and museums: curatorial and collections work, interpretation and exhibitions.
• Archives and libraries: archival management, cataloguing and digitisation projects.
• Education and outreach: secondary teaching, adult education and public history programming.
• Publishing, research and cultural organisations: editorial roles, research officer posts and cultural policy work.
• Digital humanities and information management: project management for digitisation, database curation and scholarly editing.

The programme’s focus on primary-source work and languages is particularly valued in roles that require rigorous source-based analysis.

Why study at Simmons University

Simmons offers a small, student-centred environment with close faculty supervision and a strong emphasis on mentoring and professional development. Located in the Boston area, the university provides ready access to major research libraries and special collections that are among the richest resources for medieval and early modern studies in the United States.

• Faculty expertise across cultural, religious and intellectual history of medieval and early modern Europe.
• Opportunities to work with local archives and libraries, and to collaborate with interdisciplinary centres and museum partners in the region.
• A supportive cohort model with individualised supervision for the dissertation or capstone research project.
• Career services and practicum or internship possibilities that connect academic training to heritage, archival and educational employers.

Together these features make Simmons a suitable place for students who want rigorous, source-based training in medieval and early modern cultural history within a collaborative academic community.