A master's degree can teach the craft needed for public history

Do aspiring history writers need a PhD?

No. A master's can provide source-evaluation, research, and public-writing practice without requiring a doctorate.

A doctorate is optional for someone who wants to write history for the public. A master's course can provide structured practice in finding sources, judging their reliability, and turning research into readable prose. The distinction between professional and public audiences matters because technical expertise does not automatically make specialist writing accessible. Experienced writers may already have some of these skills, while others can benefit from a lecturer who makes them explain familiar material to a non-specialist.