University of New Brunswick

What you'll study

The MA in History combines advanced coursework with supervised research, offering both thesis and course-based pathways to suit different academic and professional goals. Core study emphasises historiography and research methods, including archival practice, quantitative and qualitative techniques, and digital history tools. Students pursue specialised seminars and directed readings in fields such as Atlantic and Maritime history, Indigenous and settler colonial histories, Canadian political and social history, labour and economic history, environmental history, military history, cultural and intellectual history, and public or museum history.

• Core modules: Historiography and theory; research methods in history; archival methods and palaeography; digital methods for historians.
• Specialist seminars: Thematic and regional seminars reflecting faculty expertise (for example, Atlantic/Maritime studies, Indigenous histories, environmental history).
• Research components: A supervised thesis for the research MA option, or a combination of advanced seminars and a major research paper/practicum for the course-based option.
• Optional elements: Public history practicum, internships with local museums and archives, collaborative projects with interdisciplinary centres.

Students develop original research proposals under faculty supervision, gain hands-on experience with primary sources through UNB’s archival collections and local repositories, and are encouraged to present research at conferences and publish in professional journals.

Entry requirements

Applicants normally require a four-year honours bachelor’s degree (or recognised equivalent) in history or a closely related discipline with a strong academic record. Typical applicants present an upper-second class honours level or better; exact expectations are determined by the department. Required application materials usually include academic transcripts, a statement of research interests or intent, a writing sample (such as a research essay), two academic references, and a current curriculum vitae.

International applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English to the university’s required standard through recognised tests or prior study in English. Candidates whose research interests align with departmental strengths are advised to contact potential supervisors before applying.

Career prospects

Graduates of the MA in History move into a wide range of careers that value research, analysis and communication skills. Common pathways include:

• Further academic study and doctoral research.
• Teaching at secondary level (with appropriate certification) and post-secondary institutions.
• Work in museums, archives, galleries and heritage organisations, including curatorial and collections management roles.
• Positions in provincial and federal cultural agencies, policy research, and public administration.
• Editorial, publishing and communications roles, as well as public history, community history projects and digital heritage initiatives.
• Research and consultancy in environmental and community planning, and roles within NGOs and cultural resource management.

Why study at University of New Brunswick

UNB’s History Department is known for its strengths in Atlantic and Maritime studies and for active research in Indigenous histories and environmental, military and social history. Students benefit from close supervision by faculty who maintain active publication and research profiles, and from access to substantial primary sources through the UNB Archives and the Harriet Irving Library collections.

The university’s location provides strong links to provincial archives, local museums and heritage organisations, facilitating internships and practical training. Small seminar sizes and a collegial department culture support intensive mentorship and collaboration. Graduate students also have access to professional development opportunities, research funding and teaching assistantships administered by the department and graduate school.

Overall, the MA programme at UNB balances rigorous academic training with practical experience, preparing graduates for both scholarly and public-facing careers in history and related fields.