Introduction

The Master of Arts in History program provides advanced training in American, African, Middle Eastern, Asian, European, and Latin American history. It encourages students to explore various areas and topics while allowing them to focus on subjects that captivate their interest. The program aims to equip students with a substantial understanding of historical content and practical skills to identify and analyze themes and patterns across the historical landscape. 

The Master of Arts in History program prepares students for employment in historical organizations, archives, museums, local, state, and federal offices, as well as in advanced graduate programs such as Ph.D. programs, and for secondary school teachers seeking additional enrichment. 

Through tailored course selection, students in the Master of Arts in History focus on specialized history courses in particular areas of the world and topics, as well as public history, museum studies, and archival studies. They can acquire practical skills applicable to careers in teaching at the K-12 level and community colleges, historical associations, museums, and public history.

Encouraging close contact between students and faculty is achieved through a combination of lecture-discussion courses, internships, and research seminars. These initiatives aim to enrich and deepen students' historical knowledge while providing training in history as both a scholarly and applied discipline.

Admission Information

Besides the College of Graduate Studies requirements for admission, applicants to the History program must fulfill the following:

1. An undergraduate major in history with a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher, or sufficient undergraduate history courses with grades of B or higher, serves as an indicator of probable success in the graduate history program.
   1. Two letters of recommendation, ideally from professors with whom the applicant has completed advanced undergraduate history courses.
   2. A writing sample that showcases the candidate's research, analytical, and writing abilities. The department prefers that applicants submit a substantial research paper from a history course, no longer than 20 pages.
   3. All applicants are welcome to submit the results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). However, GRE test results are required for applicants who have not yet met the College of Graduate Studies’ requirement of at least a 2.75 undergraduate GPA for admission.

Under certain circumstances, an applicant may remediate undergraduate deficiencies by enrolling as a non-degree student. Non-degree students must achieve a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher for twelve credit hours in approved courses to qualify for admission.  Upon admission to the program, the twelve credits may be applied toward the degree.

Apply Now: https://grad.engagecsu.com/

Financial Assistance

The Department of History offers several graduate assistantships to complement full-time study. These assistantships require approximately ten to twenty hours of service per week to the department, depending on the award received. Responsibilities of graduate assistants include tutoring students, assisting professors in preparing lectures and discussions, and working on departmental programs. Additional financial assistance may be available through various internship programs. Applicants interested in assistantships for the Fall Semester must complete their application packet by April 1 of the prior Spring Semester.

Career Information

The History MA program is designed to prepare students for employment in various public and private sectors, enhance teaching credentials, and facilitate entry into doctoral programs. 

Additionally, the master's program in history fosters a variety of skills essential for success across many careers in business and other fields. Recent graduates have demonstrated proficiency in conceptualization, research, analysis, and both oral and written communication in careers ranging from banking to media, insurance, journalism, law, marketing, advertising, publishing, and government service.

Faculty Research and Publications

All graduate faculty members participate in the activities of local and national historical associations and are actively engaged in research and publication within their fields of specialization. In recent years, faculty members have made significant scholarly contributions in the form of books and articles on diverse topics, including modern Germany, gender in late medieval and early modern Europe, 20^th-century black popular culture, American labor and immigration history, sexuality and gender in China, tenantry and land ownership during the American Revolution, tourism in New Orleans, Moroccan political and social history, modern Caribbean history, urban and public history, Latin American history, colonialism, and racial discourse and labor activism in the 19^th-century South. The MA program is designed to encourage students to interact closely with faculty in their areas of interest. Through research and reading seminars, independent study, and/or writing a master's thesis, students are encouraged to develop independent research and writing skills.

Current faculty information can be located on the Cleveland State University Faculty Profile page.

Degree Requirements

Students admitted to the Master of Arts in History must complete the following 

Students must complete thirty (30) credit hours in approved courses, achieving a minimum grade-point average of 3.0. Only one grade of B- may count toward the degree, and grades below B- (C or F) will not be considered for the degree. 

In consultation with the Graduate Program Director, students may take a maximum of six credit hours in courses outside the History Department. For information regarding the transfer of credits from another institution, please refer to the Transfer Credit section in the Enrollment Regulations part of this Catalog.

Upon admission, each student must consult the Director of Graduate History Studies to establish a general course plan. HIS 697—Independent Study in History may only be taken with the approval of the Graduate Program Director.

Requirements for the Master’s in History (30 credit hours)

Core Requirements (3 courses/9 credit hours)

HIS 601 Introduction to Graduate Study in History (3)

HIS 695 Research Seminar in American, European, or Social History (3)

HIS 599 Internship (3)

Additional Requirements (21 credit hours)

Twenty-one credit hours at the 500 and 600 levels, including at least two graduate-level (600) seminars. 

Students who wish to write a thesis must discuss it with the Director of the Graduate Program for approval. Once the topic is approved, the student can enroll in HIS 699—Thesis (six credit hours).

HIS 697 Independent Study in History requires the approval of the Graduate Program Director. (Six credit hours maximum).