Master of Arts in History - Cultural Resource Management

The Department of History at Colorado State University admits a select group of students each year for its Master of Arts program in History. Our program strengths include United States history, environmental history, cultural resource management & historic preservation, and general public history.
The Department of History at CSU offers a Master of Arts (MA) degree in History and is committed to providing a high-quality graduate education and inclusive learning atmosphere, and to building a diverse student population. In our program, students most commonly work with faculty who specialize in areas of United States history, environmental history, cultural resource management & historic preservation, and general public history. Graduate students in the program also work closely with each other on class projects, in internships, and on professional and service-learning projects.

We have a considerable concentration of established historians who study Environmental History and who work with colleagues in CSU's Warner College of Natural Resources, the Office of Engagement and Extension, and other colleges, departments, and centers at CSU to create interdisciplinary research and scholarship.

Our specialization in cultural resource management & historic preservation is one of the oldest in Intermountain West, has a job placement rate of over 90%, and is nationally renowned. Graduate students in our program also have an unparalleled opportunity to apply for competitive paid internships and research positions in which they gain professional experience and network while completing their degrees. Such opportunities include a standing internship program with Pinyon Environmental, Inc., projects through the Public and Environmental History Center, and grant-funded public and applied history projects with faculty members.
We have three pathways, or programs of study, to the MA in History: Liberal Arts specialization Plan A Thesis track (HIST-LBAZ), Liberal Arts specialization Plan B Non-Thesis track (HIST-LBAZ), and the Cultural Resource Management (CRM) & Historic Preservation specialization Plan B Non-Thesis specialization (HIST-CMHZ).
CRM & HISTORIC PRESERVATION SPECIALIZATION
Cultural Resource Management and Historic Preservation is a broad interdisciplinary field that focuses on the identification, documentation, and interpretation of historic built environments, historic landscapes, and heritage resources (both tangible and intangible.) Cultural resource managers typically work for consulting firms, city and state governments, federal agencies, and non-profit heritage organizations. Historical training is essential for cultural resource managers to evaluate significance and create meaningful interpretations.

The CRM/Historic Preservation specialization is our most structured and specific track within the History MA program. It is designed to place students in historic preservation jobs within the federal government, state governments, and with nonprofits. Students interested in pursuing a career in the United States in CRM & Historic Preservation should apply to the concentration.

An official transcript of all collegiate work completed along with a certified translation into English.
An undergraduate grade point average of 3.000 (A = 4.000) is required by CSU regulation for admission.
Minimum TOEFL score for admission without condition is 550 (paper based), or 80 (internet based).
Minimum IELTS score for admission without condition is 6.5.
Statement of Purpose

The statement of purpose should:

describe your career goals and why you think CSU's History Graduate Program is the best fit to help you achieve those goals
summarize the work you've done to prepare for graduate study
indicate the faculty members that you would like to work with to achieve your goals
indicate the specific opportunities at CSU you'd like to pursue.
Three Letters of Recommendation

Letters should come from people familiar with your work. At least two references should come from academic faculty.

Academic Writing Sample

This writing sample should be a history research paper, preferably using primary and/or archival research. It should feature your best academic writing.

A Curriculum Vitae

Your C.V. should include your education, relevant work experience, internships, awards, honors, publications, presentations, and other relevant information.

Official Transcripts

Contact your previous institution to request that they submit your official transcript to Colorado State University (use institution code 4075)
Make sure that you have 21 undergraduate credits in History and had at least a 3.0 grade point average.
GRE scores are NOT required. The CSU Dept. of History does not believe the GRE is an accurate predictor of student success.