Clark University

What you'll study

This programme focuses on cultural, intellectual and social developments in Europe from the late antique and medieval periods through the early modern era. Core training emphasises close reading of manuscripts and printed sources, palaeography, codicology and archival research methods, alongside historiographical and theoretical approaches to religion, gender, material culture, urban life and book history.

• Research methods and historiography: seminars on approaches to cultural history, theory, and design of research projects.
• Primary-source skills: Latin and other relevant languages at the level required for reading sources; palaeography and manuscript studies; introduction to early modern print culture.
• Regional and thematic seminars: focused courses on topics such as medieval Christianity and Islam, late medieval urban society, the Reformation and confessional cultures, early modern art and material culture, and transnational exchanges.
• Electives and interdisciplinary options: opportunities to take courses across departments (for example in art history, religious studies, museum studies or archival science) to broaden methodological perspectives.
• Capstone research: a substantial supervised MA thesis grounded in original source work or, where available, a comprehensive research project that demonstrates proficiency in research methods and argumentation.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a bachelor's degree in history or a closely related discipline with evidence of strong academic performance. Successful candidates typically demonstrate:

• A clear statement of purpose outlining research interests in medieval or early modern European cultural history.
• One or more academic writing samples, preferably on historical topics.
• Letters of recommendation from academic referees who can speak to the applicant's research potential.
• Preparation in relevant languages (for example Latin, French, German, Italian or Spanish) or a demonstrated willingness to undertake language training as part of the programme.
• International applicants must meet the university's English proficiency requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates leave the programme with advanced research, critical analysis and source-handling skills valued in a range of professions. Typical career paths include:

• Progression to doctoral study in history or related humanities fields.
• Roles in museums, historic houses and cultural heritage organisations, including curatorial and collections management work.
• Work in archives and libraries, including digital archiving and cataloguing of pre-modern collections.
• Public history, interpretation and education roles in cultural institutions and non-profit organisations.
• Publishing, editorial work and roles in cultural policy or research administration.

Why study at Clark University

Clark offers a close-knit graduate environment with faculty who combine expertise in medieval and early modern Europe with strengths in cultural and comparative history. Small seminars and generous supervisory support enable substantial engagement with primary sources and sustained mentorship for thesis projects.

The university's special collections and library holdings, together with proximity to regional archives and museums in New England, provide good opportunities for hands-on research. Interdisciplinary connections across departments and access to workshops in languages, palaeography and digital humanities further enhance training for careers in scholarship, heritage and public-facing historical work.