Digital Public Humanities (Graduate Certificate)
Program Summary
100% Online
Credits: 15 total
Degree: Graduate Certificate
College/School: College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Start Date: 8/25/2025
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Program Description
Digital tools and resources are transforming the ways in which we research, interpret, and communicate. This graduate certificate trains students in a wide range of digital tools that are in increasingly high demand in humanities careers. Students will use these tools to develop digital projects and enhance their professional portfolios, and an internship with the Smithsonian Institution will help students gain professional experience. Internships will be coordinated remotely, allowing students to work from any location.
Career Opportunities
This certificate is ideal for those interested in the public and digital humanities fields. Coursework is devoted to developing and implementing digital humanities projects, culminating in a 6-credit internship to demonstrate real-world application of these skills. Students will acquire and augment digital literacy, essential knowledge, and leadership tools, gaining critical expertise and credibility in the field and developing the skills necessary to implement digital projects.
Key employers in digital and public humanities fields include a wide variety of government and non-profit organizations. Specific positions in these fields include:
- Professors, academic administrators, and other higher education positions in public humanities fields
- Museum professionals, including archivists, curators, and librarians
- Market research analysts
- Marketing managers and specialists
- Public relations and fundraising managers
As a Mason student, you may contact the George Mason Career Services center for more career information and counseling.
Courses
Program requirements are subject to change; please refer to the Mason Course Catalog for the most up-to-date requirements.
Details
Study the Digital Humanities Online
Both recent graduates and experienced professionals will benefit from this online graduate certificate program. Coursework is designed to help students achieve mastery of the digital tools and skills that are increasingly necessary for career advancement as a humanities professional, and a virtual internship with a unit of the Smithsonian Institution enables students to apply those tools and skills in hands-on digital projects with the nation’s premier public humanities institution.
Tuition and Financial Aid
All students pay the same price regardless of in-state or out-of-state residence.
For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department.
Why choose George Mason?
- This two year, fully online program was created by Mason’s Department of History and Art History and the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media in collaboration with Smithsonian Associates.
- Gain professional experience through an internship with the Smithsonian Institution, focused on applying skills learned from coursework. Internships will be coordinated remotely, allowing you to work from your location.
- Learn from leading digital humanities scholars at the forefront of presenting and preserving history through digital media and technology at Mason’s Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media.
- Acquire the skills and credentials to advance in a variety of careers, including education, museum and archival work, librarianship, journalism, and publishing.
- Combine theory and practice to develop skills in digital curation, writing, and content strategy, enhancing your professional portfolio through digital coursework.
- Learn digital research and presentation skills, including text mining, topic modeling, data visualization, and mapping.
- Network with fellow students, historians, and public history professionals from around the world, exploring innovative and effective ways to advance teaching and learning in the humanities through digital tools.
- As all required courses for this graduate certificate are available entirely online, you will have the ability to create a flexible academic schedule that fits your needs.
Ready to Apply?
This online program is currently accepting applications for Fall only.
All applicants should review College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) steps for Applying to a Graduate Certificate Program. For those with international credentials, see CHSS requirements for International Applicants.
Prerequisites
- Meet admission standards specified in the University Catalog
Application Materials*
- Graduate Application
- Application fee
- One official transcript from all previous institutions attended (see CHSS guidelines)
- Goals statement that explains the applicant’s academic credentials, professional background, intellectual interest in the program, and ultimate career goals
- Two letters of recommendation from professional colleagues or academic mentors who are directly familiar with your professional competence and interests
- Resume
*Students already accepted or enrolled in another degree program in CHSS only need to submit a Graduate Secondary Certificate Program Application.
If you have any questions during the application process, please contact Brian Platt at [email protected] or (703) 993-1253.
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Contact
Online Program Contact
Brian Platt
Phone: (703) 993-1253
Email: [email protected]
Academic Program Office Department of History and Art History
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Phone: (703) 993-1250
Fax: (703) 993-1251
Program Website
Digital Public Humanities (Graduate Certificate)
