The Master of Arts in History program is designed to prepare students for pursuits requiring a historical background. All students take the same nine courses, designed to provide students with a broad understanding of human history and advanced skills in historical research and writing.

NOTE: These accelerated, six-week courses are rigorous. The program can be completed in 8 months by completing two courses at EVERY six-week session, but it is not recommended.

Requirements for Admission 

• Bachelor’s degree
• Cumulative 3.0 GPA
• Official transcript from degree-granting university
• Applicants with degrees in history, political science, English, anthropology, sociology, philosophy, social studies, or secondary education with a GPA of at least 3.0 are admitted automatically.
• Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in other disciplines or with a GPA less than 3.0 must submit a short statement of purpose describing how they are prepared for the rigors of a graduate degree in history.
• Professional CV or resume

Grade Requirements:  Graduate students must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA in all courses completed since admission to a graduate program. Students who fall below a cumulative 3.0 GPA will be placed on probation. One quarter is allowed to restore the cumulative GPA to the minimum 3.0. Students who earn less than a C+ in a course may repeat that course one time. Graduate students may consult Academic Policy 303-22 for additional details.

Required
HIST 501	INTRODUCTION TO HISTORICAL STUDIES	5
HIST 512	BRITISH HISTORY	5
HIST 515	INTRODUCTION TO WORLD HISTORY	5
HIST 530	LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY	5
HIST 532	EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY TO 1783	5
HIST 534	19TH CENTURY U.S. HISTORY	5
HIST 536	CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN HISTORY	5
HIST 542	PUBLIC HISTORY	5
HIST 603	PORTFOLIO AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR HISTORIANS	5
Total Credits		45

Program Requirements

After admission to the graduate program, candidates will complete nine required courses and at least 45 credits of coursework. HIST 501 should be taken as early in the program as possible, preferably as the first course. HIST 603 should be taken as late in the program as possible, preferably as the last course. Students must successfully complete at least six courses (30 credits) including HIST 501, HIST 512, and HIST 532 before they can register for HIST 603. Remaining courses may be taken in any order. All courses are accelerated, six-week courses.

Grade Requirements

Students who earn a MA in History should be able to:

• demonstrate a deep and broad knowledge of human history;
• demonstrate advanced historical research skills;
• demonstrate advanced abilities in historical writing;
• demonstrate knowledge mastery of the key events/conversations within defined historical fields;
• frame discussions and analyze a variety of views and perspectives of historical events;
• refine historical research skills by effectively using databases, libraries, and historical collections.

Potential careers for history graduates include:

• Curator
• K-12 History Teacher/AP History teacher
• Librarian
• Archivist