Athabasca University

What you'll study

The programme blends theoretical and applied questions in heritage and social history, encouraging holistic, critical and reflective thinking. Coursework covers theories, methods and practices from the arts, humanities and social sciences to explore how social traditions and institutions drive historical change and influence identity, memory and community. The program finishes with an integrated final project: either a paced study capstone course or an individual study project that lets you investigate a question tied to your interests, professional situation or a community issue. Students in the MA-IS may also take Heritage Resources Management courses.

Entry requirements

Admission requires a baccalaureate degree and completion of an academic writing assessment. Applicants are admitted to the MA–Interdisciplinary Studies program and must submit a study plan to declare their Heritage and Social History focus area. There are three intakes yearly; paced and individualized course formats are available.

Career prospects

The focus area prepares graduates for roles in heritage resource management, public history, cultural organisations, community-focused positions and research. Training emphasizes cross-disciplinary problem solving, cultural policy planning strategies and the ability to communicate insights about heritage and social historical change.

Scholarships & funding angle

Course tuition fees are charged per course; Athabasca University lists domestic and international fee schedules and additional administrative charges. From Sep. 1, 2026, Canadian Indigenous graduate students are eligible for a 10% discount on the tuition portion of AU graduate course costs. Students should consult the university for program application/admission fees, transfer-credit costs and other administrative fees, and explore AU and external funding, scholarships or employer support where available.