Heritage Studies and Public History M.H.S.P.H.

Heritage studies and public history (HSPH) are the publicly engaged and community-accountable practices of historical scholarship, whether it is based in archival research, archaeology, material culture studies, architecture, preservation, or landscape studies. Although such a commitment to public interpretation, education, and preservation is part of all these disciplines, it is of tremendous benefit to heritage professionals to understand the connections and common issues in all of these perspectives because the heritage field is increasingly characterized by such interdisciplinary integration.

The goal of this graduate program is to provide heritage and public history professionals this broader view, increasing their resource base and network of expertise. The program takes advantage of the deep scholarly expertise in these fields at the University of Minnesota, as well as the Minnesota Historical Society's extensive resources and expertise, to offer unparalleled training in the theory and methods of heritage and public history studies at the graduate level. The program will combine rigorous scholarly training with hands-on professional development, preparing graduates for positions in major public history and heritage institutions in Minnesota and elsewhere. The program will also train future generations of scholars and practitioners in the field to develop new, innovative, and entrepreneurial forms of historical interpretation in service of the public good.

Students are expected to acquire both general and specialized sets of perspectives and skills. Some required courses are designed to instill breadth and cohort connections; others are designed to build expertise in specific arenas of the heritage field, represented by the program tracks. Students will engage in experiential learning through embedded (credited) internships and the design and execution of a community-engaged project.