Applying to be a graduate student in History
Application materials for prospective graduate students in History are now submitted online to the Graduate School no later than twenty working days (one month) before the beginning of the semester in which they wish to start taking classes.  Online applications, directions, as well as graduate catalogues, are available on the Graduate School website. You can also contact the Graduate School with any questions that you may have at (678-839-6419).
  
All applications must include:
1. A $30 non refundable application fee
2. Graduate School application forms with current information
3. Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools you have attended
4. Applicants must take the GRE General Test and submit scores for all sections - verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing. Minimum scores for regular admission are 400 verbal, 400 quantitative, and 3.5 analytical writing. Applicants submitting test results without a score for all sections of the test will be required to submit another score.
5. Three letters of recommendation, preferably from history or major professors
6. A one or two page statement of purpose explaining why you would like to study for a Master’s Degree in History
7. A writing sample, minimum of four pages, preferably a research or scholarly essay or paper. It may also be a sample of professional or creative writing.
8. Required immunization forms. Applicants should contact Health Services regarding immunization requirements.
9. If you are interested in being a Graduate Research Assistant (see below for more information on this), contact the Graduate School or the History Department Graduate Coordinator for the application form.
 

Requirements for Regular Admission
The minimum requirements for acceptance as a regular student in the History MA program include:
1. An undergraduate major or minor in history or a closely related field, including survey (or equivalent) courses in American History and European or World History.
2. Acceptable scores on the General (Aptitude) Test of the Graduate Record Examination are at least 400 for the Verbal Section and at least 3.5 for the Writing Section.
3. A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for all work taken at all colleges.
4. An average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for a major in History or a closely related field.
5. A writing sample that indicates an ability to research and write at the graduate level.
6. Evidence from the personal statement and the letters of recommendation that the applicant’s abilities and needs match our resources and course offerings.

Application Procedures for the Public History and Museum Studies Certificate
For students enrolled as MA students at West Georgia: Students who are currently studying for an MA in history may take courses that count for the Public History and Museum Studies Certificates (See below for more on the Certificate programs.) as part of the public history concentration in the M.A. program, but they may need to take one or two additional classes to complete the Certificate requirements after graduating.  These students will need to write a letter to the Graduate School and indicate that they are pursuing the Public History or Museum Studies Certificate before enrolling to complete these classes.  They will not be required to submit any additional reference letters, GRE scores, transcripts, or other application materials.

For individuals who already possess an M.A. degree: Individuals holding an M.A. degree in history or a related field may apply for the Public History Certificate or Museum Studies Certificate.  Those with a field outside of history but an M.A. in an academic area they hope to curate (e.g. art history, anthropology, or archaeology) may apply for the Museum Studies Certificate.
All applications from potential graduate students for a certificate in Public History or Museum Studies must include:
1. A graduate online application 
2. A one to two page essay that describes the student’s background and interests in pursuing the Certificate program,
3. A transcript of his or her graduate and undergraduate degrees
4. GRE scores (from when they applied for their original MA degree).  Students do not need to retake the GRE for admission to the Certificate program.
5. Three letters of recommendation.  At least one of the letters should be written by someone who can evaluate the student’s expertise in the research field and one should be from someone who can evaluate his or her work skills and abilities, ideally in a field related to museum work.
6. $30 non-refundable application fee
7. Check with the Graduate College about what immunization forms you need to submit.