History—M.A.
Department of History
TLC 3200 • 678-839-6508
Professors:
J. Goldstein, H. Goodson (Chair), E. MacKinnon, A. McCleary
Associate Professors:
K. Bohannon, M. de Nie, K. Pacholl, T. Schroer, G. Van Valen, D. Williams
Assistant Professors:
K. Hebert, C. Lipp, C. Pitzulo, N. Popov (Graduate Coordinator), C. Vasconcellos
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 Context, 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 world. We expect our graduates to function effectively as professionals in their chosen fields of history.
For regular admission to the program, a student must ordinarily have a degree in history with a 3.0 undergraduate GPA. IIf his or her 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.
Students interested in public history may pursue a public history concentration under Plan I. The program requires fifteen hours in public history, twelve hours in a history concentration, an internship, the historiography class, and a choice between a traditional thesis or a thesis/applied history project.
This 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, plan I or they may add this certificate to an existing M.A. degree in history or in a museum field they would like to curate.
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.
Under Plan I, a student must complete at least 36 hours in history, including a course in historiography and at least four seminars, in addition to a thesis or applied research/thesis project in public history which carries 6 hours credit (36 hours total). Under Plan II, a student must complete a total of 36 hours of course work in history, including a course in historiography and at least five seminars. Under both plans, the student must fulfill a global/cultural literacy requirement and demonstrate a competence in research and writing consistent with graduate-level work in history. The comprehensive examination may be oral, written, or both at the discretion of the department.
Learning Outcomes
Students completing the Master of Arts Degree in History will:
- Demonstrate the ability to undertake advanced historical research
- Show basic familiarity with historical literature in major and minor fields of study
- Demonstrate an understanding of historiography and its permutations over time
- Identify and describe career options in the field of history
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the theory and ethics of public history [for public history concentration]
- Demonstrate knowledge of the standards and practices for at least two fields in public history [for public history concentration]
- Apply practical skills in at least two fields of public history [for Public History concentration]
