Completion of the MA program requires ten courses. Full-time Master's students typically complete the degree in two years (four semesters) of coursework. Students must take five required courses: Introduction to Public Humanities and Methods in Public Humanities and (typically taken in the 1st year); Curatorial Practice and Change; Decolonization of Museums: Nations, Museums, Anti-Colonialism and the Contemporary Moment; Aesthetics, Art and Social Change; and four additional electives (chosen from Brown’s larger course catalogue) that complement the student’s core interests. Additionally, students must also register for one Public Humanities Independent Study course working with the faculty member who will direct their MA Thesis or Capstone Project.

During the summer between the first and second years of the program, students are also required to complete an uncredited summer practicum (during the summer between the 1st and 2nd years). 

The selection of practicum sites is limited only by students’ imagination and logistics. Summer Practicum choices are not limited geographically and students have selected placements with organizations at numerous historic sites, museums, libraries, and cultural organizations throughout the U.S. and abroad.

The careers of our graduates are very much dependent on their interests and the ways in which they have shaped the program to reflect those interests. Our alumni work for various arts and cultural organizations of all types, including local and national historical societies, museums, galleries, libraries, government, foundations, and many other organizations.

On a case by case basis, the program can be completed part-time in 3 years. 

At this point in time, the 5th year MA option is not available, and we encourage interested Brown undergrads to apply through the regular admissions process. 

Not at this time.

January 15. 

All applications are submitted via Master’s Application Portal, including a personal statement, writing sample, letters of recommendation, and transcripts. Materials are accepted September – January 15. 

GRE scores are not required for the Master’s in Integrative Studies (Public Humanities) program and will not be considered during the application review process.

TOEFL/IELTS is required for all non-native English speakers who have earned a degree where the language of instruction is not English. This requirement is waived only for the applicants whose first language is English and for applicants who completed a degree at an institution where the sole language of instruction is English (from any country). All other non-native English speakers are required to submit TOEFL/IELTS scores, and this requirement cannot be waived. Applicants will be prompted in the application to answer questions if they are qualified for the waiver based on the above criteria.

The nature of the graduate program in public humanities demands strong written and verbal English proficiency. The minimum required score: 100 on TOEFL and 7 on IELTS.

Your 1,000–1,500 words personal statement should address the ways that the public humanities program connects to your background, interests, and plans for the future. Include information on how you arrived at your current area of interest, what scholarship, creative work, and experiences have influenced you, what questions/issues/problems you want to tackle in graduate school, and how graduate study fits your professional future. If you are a “mid-career” applicant, applying after several years working, you might consider framing your personal statement as a pivot from your current position, or as an extension of current work. 

Essays should also speak to how and why Brown’s MA program is a good fit for your interests and training. Your essay, like most good public humanities documents, should be personal, convincing, and well written. 

Please send a writing sample of up to ten pages in your area of interest. That might be a short academic essay or something written for a popular audience. For example, you might send an artist’s statement, exhibition script, brochure, strategic plan, or grant proposal. You may also choose to send a ten-page excerpt of a larger work, such as an undergraduate thesis. If you do so, kindly note what the broader thesis or chapter focused on and why you chose this ten-page excerpt. If submitting collaborative or co-authored work, please indicate what part of the work is yours. 

You should try to present a mix of recommendations from academic advisors, current or former professors who had you as a student in a class, and employers or supervisors who have observed you in a public humanities or other work setting. You should prioritize recommendations that can offer depth and specificity about your academic or professional work.

The Simmons Center awards all students who are admitted to the program a 40% tuition scholarship on ten courses for the duration of the program. 

Students may also apply to receive additional need-based financial aid from the Simmons Center. The awarded amount is based on a student's demonstrated level of financial need, as determined by the Office of Financial Aid (based on FAFSA/CSS Profile information). Please note that academic stipend funding may not meet full demonstrated need. As a component of receiving an academic year stipend, the recipients are expected to work between 10–15 hours a week during fall and spring semesters at the Simmons Center or with one of our partner departments/organizations. To apply for need-based financial aid, students must complete FAFSA or CSS Profile by January 15th, 2026.

In addition, all students in the program receive up to $3,000 summer stipend to offset the cost of travel/living expenses during summer practicum, and $2,000 each year for professional development to help cover the cost of attending conferences, joining professional organizations, etc.

Claire Rothstein Inouye (MA’26), the program’s student ambassador, can meet with you virtually or help you arrange a campus visit, sit in on classes, and give you an overall student perspective. Please contact Claire directly at claire_rothstein@brown.edu.