The Master of Arts with a major in History is a professional degree program that allows students to pursue their interest in history in any area of concentration within the department’s course offerings. The core of the degree is designed to help degree candidates become proficient at advanced historical research methods and writing. The general degree program, as opposed to a concentration, allows degree candidates to choose broadly from the department’s course offerings in U.S., global, and military history while benefitting from the department’s strengths in race, social, and cultural history. Up to six credits of elective coursework are available to students outside of the history department. The Master of Arts with a major in History program is delivered through content courses (5000 level HIST U/G courses) and graduate seminars (7000 level courses). In addition to general coursework, degree candidates will have the option to complete an advanced research project by producing a thesis in their final year. Language proficiency, whether through traditional languages or GIS, is required. Degree candidates will need to take a reading proficiency exam in the foreign language and show English competency in TOEFL exam if they are non-native English speakers.

The Master of Arts with a major in History provides students with broad training in research methods, analysis, and writing in addition to core knowledge in global and U.S. history that serves several fields of employment. These include business, information technology, archival and library science, publishing, military and government service, law enforcement, journalism, and teaching at the K-12 and community college levels. The degree also prepares students for advanced doctoral work in a Ph.D. program. The expertise and intellectual skills developed in the program will allow graduates to fit into a variety of employment opportunities given the importance of historical research, professional writing, and analytical skills in the modern world.