Master in Public History

Northern Kentucky University (NKU), founded in 1968 and located in Highland Heights, provides a broad range of undergraduate, graduate and professional programs with an emphasis on applied learning and workforce readiness. The university’s curriculum blends theoretical foundations with internships, cooperative education and hands-on projects designed to prepare students for immediate contribution to their fields.

NKU serves about 14,000 students and welcomes a meaningful international cohort of roughly 615 students, which contributes to a vibrant campus community. With more than 214 programs across disciplines, students benefit from dedicated faculty who prioritize mentorship, small-group learning and practical experience. Campus facilities and student organizations support experiential learning, research and civic engagement.

International applicants will find supportive services for transition, advising and career development, as well as links to local employers for internships and placements. NKU’s collaborative environment encourages innovation, critical thinking and transferable skills that employers seek. For students looking for a welcoming university with diverse programming and strong ties to regional industry, NKU offers robust academic options and clear pathways to professional success.

The Master in Public History at Northern Kentucky University is a master's degree for students who want to explore history beyond the classroom. This two-year program helps students understand the life of a soldier during the War of 1812, by holding a musket discarded by a soldier stationed at a fort during the war. The main advantage of this program is that it allows historians to expand beyond traditional tools to include oral traditions, material culture, technology, and many other aspects of life.

The curriculum includes hands-on components such as working with museums, historic sites, archives, historic preservation, podcasts, and cultural resource management. Students develop skills in oral traditions, material culture, and technology, which help them to understand the life of people in the past. The program also covers topics such as the War of 1812, which helps students to understand the historical context of the war.

Graduates of this program can work as historians, museum curators, archivists, historic preservationists, or cultural resource managers. They can work in museums, historic sites, archives, or cultural resource management companies. Some specific job titles include museum curator, archivist, historic preservationist, or cultural resource manager. These professionals help people to understand the past and its relevance to the present.