History, M.A.

The Master of Arts program in History guides students in developing familiarity with issues and literature in selected major and minor fields of history; an understanding of the fundamentals of historiography and its variations over time; and skills in historical research, analysis, and writing. The program emphasizes opportunities for both independent and collaborative learning. Areas of particular strength include American History, Southern History, all periods of European History, Comparative Global History, The Atlantic World, Military History, and Public History. We welcome students seeking admission to a doctoral program in history or similar professional studies, a career teaching history in secondary schools or community colleges, work as a professional public historian, or simply a greater understanding of the historical development of our society and the world. We expect our graduates to function effectively as professionals in their chosen fields of history.

Admissions: For regular admission to the program, a student must ordinarily have a degree in history or a related field with a 3.0 undergraduate GPA.

Three letters of recommendation, a one-two page statement of purpose, a writing sample (minimum of four pages), and official transcripts are also required.

The department of History offers five distinct tracks leading to the MA in History:

The Thesis Track - (please see the list of concentration available for this track listed above) requires twelve hours in a major field, six hours in a minor field, and six thesis hours. Included in the coursework must be at least two courses in World History.

The Public History Track with thesis project - requires twelve hours in public history courses (including HIST 6200: Public History Seminar), nine hours in a history field, and three hours in an internship. Included in the coursework must be at least one course in World History.

The Public History Track with portfolio - requires twelve hours in public history courses (including HIST 6200: Public History Seminar), nine hours in a history field, and three hours in an internship. Included in the coursework must be at least one course in World History.

The Generalist (non-thesis) Track with Exit Exams - requires nine hours in US History, nine hours in World History, two history electives, and written and oral examinations.

The Generalist (non-thesis) Track with Portfolio - requires nine hours in US History, nine hours in World History, two history electives, and an exit portfolio.

All graduate students, regardless of track or concentration, must complete a course in historiography, a course in historical writing, and at least four seminars at the 6000-level. In addition, all students must meet a global and cultural literacy requirement, which is built into each track in the form of world history coursework.

Learning Outcomes

Students who receive the Master of Arts Degree in History will be able to:

Conduct historical research

Formulate and defend a historical argument in Standard English

Demonstrate knowledge of historiography and its changes over time

Demonstrate knowledge of the theory and practice of public history [for public history track only]

Demonstrate practical knowledge of a subfield of public history [for public history track only]

Academic Standards:

Students admitted into the History Program graduate program are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 while enrolled. Students do not receive graduate credit for any course in which they earn a final grade of C or below. Student receiving a grade of C will be placed on academic probation and a letter of warning will be sent by the department outlining the conditions of their probation. Students receiving a grade of C or lower in two courses will be dismissed from the program. Students receiving a grade of F will automatically be dismissed from the program.

Course Repeat Policy:

The History Program allows a student to repeat up to two courses in which they have earned a C. If a student is permitted to repeat a course, all grades will be calculated into their cumulative GPA. In order for the course to be retaken, the student and advisor must: 1. Consult program policies and handbooks to determine whether or not course repeats are permitted; and 2. Ensure course number and name are the same as the previous course.

“Core”: required courses for all students on all three tracks

HIST 6684 - Historiography 3 Credit Hours
HIST 6694 - Historical Methods & Writing 3 Credit Hours

Major Field for student on Thesis track or Public History tracks (thesis project and portfolio tracks available)

(students on Public History track with thesis project OR Public History track with Portfolio must have Public History as their major field):

Select 4 courses from either the Public History list OR US History list OR World History list below:

*Public History students must include HIST 6200 as one of the 4 courses.

Minor Field for students on the Thesis track:

Select 2 courses from either US History list OR World History list below:

Additional requirements:

Students on Thesis track must take HIST 6699 twice for a total of 6 credits.

Students on Public History track with thesis project and Public History track with Portfolio must take HIST 6486 (Internship) for 3 credits. Students on other tracks in the program may take HIST 6486 as a History elective towards the degree.

Generalist track (two track options – exit exams OR Portfolio)

Select 3 courses from World History list below:

Select 3 courses from US History list below:

Select 2 electives (any courses in HIST).

World History List

The following courses count as “World History” for a Major or Minor field in World History for the MA in History (please note that most of the 5000-level courses are not taught regularly):

HIST 5230 - War, State, and Society in Early Modern Europe 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5250 - The First World War 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5285 - Special Topics in European History 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5310 - Comparative Slavery and Emancipation 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5385 - Special Topics in World History 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5411 - European Renaissance in Global Perspective 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5412 - The Reformation 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5417 - 19th Century Europe, 1789-1914 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5418 - 20th Century Europe 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5419 - The Cold War 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5420 - The Holocaust 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5421 - Mexico Since Independence 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5422 - US-Latin American Relations 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5423 - Women and Gender in the Ancient World 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5424 - Conflict and Interdependence in South Africa 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5430 - The Vietnam War 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5432 - The Roman Republic 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5433 - Introduction to Modern China 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5436 - French Revolution - Napoleon 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5437 - France Since 1815 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5440 - Modern Germany 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5441 - Modern Ireland: 1780 to Present 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5443 - Introduction to Modern Japan 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5446 - Soviet Russia 3 Credit Hours
HIST 6413 - The Atlantic World 3 Credit Hours
HIST 6685 - Special Problems 1.0 - 6.0 Credit Hours
HIST 6686 - Topics in European History 3 Credit Hours
HIST 6688 - Topics in Latin American History 3 Credit Hours

U.S. History List

The following courses count towards the Major and Minor fields in US History for students pursuing the MA in History:

HIST 5451 - Colonial America, 1492-1763 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5452 - American Revolution, 1763-1783 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5453 - The New American Republic, 1783-1815 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5454 - Jacksonian America, 1815-1848 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5455 - Civil War and Reconstruction 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5461 - Environmental History 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5463 - American Military History 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5464 - American Sports History 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5465 - U.S. Society and Culture to 1865 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5466 - U.S. Society and Culture Since 1865 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5467 - Women in American History to 1890 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5468 - Women in American History Since 1890 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5469 - The Civil Rights Movement 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5471 - The Gilded Age and Progressive Era, 1877-1920 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5472 - The Rise of Modern America, 1920-1945 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5473 - Recent America: The U.S. Since World War II 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5474 - History of Georgia 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5475 - Southern Families and Communities 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5476 - The Old South 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5477 - The New South 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5478 - American Religion to 1800 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5479 - American Religion Since 1800 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5485 - Special Topics 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5505 - American Foreign Policy since 1898 3 Credit Hours
HIST 6580 - American Foodways 3 Credit Hours
HIST 6687 - Topics in United States History 3 Credit Hours
HIST 6689 - Topics in Georgia History 3 Credit Hours

Public History List

The following courses count towards the Public History field in the MA in History:

HIST 5400 - Introduction to Public History 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5401 - Theory and Practice of Oral History 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5402 - Introduction to Archival Theory and Practice 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5403 - Introduction to Museum Studies 3 Credit Hours
HIST 5404 - History of American Architecture 3 Credit Hours
HIST 6201 - Archives Arrangement Practicum 3 Credit Hours
HIST 6202 - Theory and Method of Material Culture Studies 3 Credit Hours
HIST 6203 - Studies and Research Methods in American Folklife 3 Credit Hours
HIST 6301 - Administration of Museums and Historic Sites 3 Credit Hours
HIST 6302 - Collections Management in Museums 3 Credit Hours
HIST 6303 - Education and Interpretation at Museums 3 Credit Hours
HIST 6304 - Exhibits at Museums and Historic Sites 3 Credit Hours
HIST 6486 - Public History Internship 3 Credit Hours (required class for all students taking this field!)

Minor Field for students on the Public History track:

Select 3 courses from either US History list OR World History list above: if student did not take any world history courses as part of major field, one world history course is required as part of the minor field.