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, Early Modern and Modern European History, Comparative Global History, Atlantic World History, War and Society in a Global Perspective, 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 with a 3.0 undergraduate GPA, a GRE score of 151 on the verbal section and 4.0 on the writing section. Applicants with a 3.5 undergraduate GPA or higher are exempt from taking the GRE. Three letters of recommendation, a one-two page statement of purpose, a writing sample (minimum of four pages), and official transcripts are also required. If an applicant’s undergraduate degree is in social studies, or in a social science other than history, a student may be admitted provisionally with the permission of the Department of History.
MA in History
The department of History offers three distinct tracks leading to the MA in History:
The Thesis Track - (please see the list of concentration available for this track listed above) requires fifteen hours in a major field, nine hours in a minor field, and six thesis hours.
The Public History Track - requires fifteen hours in public history courses (including HIST 5400: Introduction to Public History), nine hours in a minor field, three hours in an internship, and three thesis hours.
The Generalist (non-thesis) Track - requires nine hours in US History, nine hours in World History, nine hours in a thematic field, three hours in an elective, and written and oral examinations.
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 Foreign Language requirement by: 1. Completing a language course numbered 2002 with a B or higher; 2. Successfully passing a graduate-level translation course or its equivalent; 3. Earning at least an 80% on a translation test administered by Academic Testing Services; 4. Passing two 6000 World History courses (these courses are in addition to the thirty-six hours required and do not count toward a major or minor field); 5. Completing two graduate level Department of History Study Abroad courses (these courses are in addition to the thirty-six hours required and do not count toward a major or minor field).
Certificates:
The History Department also offers two graduate certificate programs. The Museum Studies Certificate, offered in association with the Atlanta History Center, requires three museum studies seminars, the Material Culture Seminar, and museum internship. Students may elect to take the majority of these classes as part of the M.A. program, or they may add this certificate to an existing M.A. degree in history.
The Public History Certificate is designed for individuals who already hold an M.A. in History or a related field and would like to gain additional training in public history to prepare for a career. Students must take Introduction to Public History, nine hours of public history seminars, and the Public History Internship.
Academic Standards:
Students admitted into the Department of History 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 by the Graduate School. Students receiving a grade of F will automatically be dismissed from the program.
Course Repeat Policy:
The Department of History 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.
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]
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