The Master of Arts in History & Archival Studies combines training in the researching and writing of scholarly history with the study of archival practice and maintenance, preparing students for careers in special collections, libraries, museums, and other entities that recognize the critical value of keeping and maintaining historical documentation.
The Archival Studies program provides a theoretical and practical framework for creating and understanding archival collections, including why we make them and how we maintain them. Theoretical and scholarly historical work is complemented by experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, in order to ground your knowledge in the current practices of the professional world. Throughout the program, you may take advantage of the many benefits that CGU’s History Department confers: access to faculty-scholars who specialize in U.S. and European history and abundant opportunities to collaborate with students and faculty in other CGU departments as well as at other member institutions of the highly ranked Claremont Colleges. You’ll gain a broad-based, humanistic education that equips you with the research, analytical, and communication skills critical for successful careers.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
You will have access to the archives of the Libraries of the Claremont Colleges, one of the largest collections in California. The Huntington Library, one of the world’s finest research libraries for English and American history, is nearby.
Students may take archival studies courses as part of any degree program.
Curriculum
Courses
Required History courses (4 units)
History 300 (4 units)
Archival Studies courses (12 units)
Archival Studies 310: Introduction (4 units)
Archival Studies 311: Topics & Advanced Training (4 units)
Archival Studies 396: Internship/Practicum (4 units)
History elective courses (28 units)
Open elective courses (4 units)
Research Tools Requirement
One language–reading proficiency in historical materials (European studies requires French or German)
Research Paper
One substantive research paper
Thesis
An original scholarly work written in consultation with a Thesis Committee and based on an array of primary and secondary sources.