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History, MA

Master of Arts in History

Delve into the ways our past has shaped our present while building the career you want with a Master of Arts in History from the ŷƵ. Engage deeply with the content area and develop sophisticated research methods, honing both your academic and professional skills. UCM’s History master’s degree is designed to support a wide range of career goals.

History graduate degree students at UCM can choose from three academic tracks. 

  • The pre-doctoral track prepares you for competitive doctoral degree programs.
  • The applied public history track is designed for students interested in careers at museums, archives or national historic sites. 
  • The enrichment track enables educators to bring powerful historical context and insightful research methods into their secondary school classrooms. 

A History graduate degree program that suits your lifestyle

The best history master’s programs recognize that times are always changing. While the ŷƵ has offered a History graduate degree for more than 60 years, we have updated our respected program to meet the needs of modern students. UCM enables you to earn your MA in History while balancing your studies with work and family needs by offering classes both online and at our Warrensburg campus. Evening classes and a summer start date are also available.

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Flexible in-person or online classes

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100% alumni employment rate w/in 6 mos.

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Three academic tracks to choose from

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Small class sizes for close interactions

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Widely published, expert faculty

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Personal career advisor

What you will study

UCM’s History master’s degree program delves into the historiography of topics in U.S. and global history, looking not only at events but also at how historians through the ages have interpreted them. 

Whether you take classes remotely or on our Warrensburg campus, you’ll engage with your peers in small, lively graduate seminars and embark on your own independent research. Your ultimate course of study will be determined by which of the three tracks you choose to earn your Master of Arts in History from UCM: 

  • Pre-doctoral track: Prepare for a doctorate degree in history by working closely with a faculty advisor to complete a thesis based upon original research. 
  • Applied public history track: The project-based courses in this track are ideal for students building a career in one of the many fields that need history specialists, such as museums and historical sites. You’ll complete your MA in History degree with an internship and a public history project.
  • Enrichment track: Intensive historical study over five seminars and a choice of electives prepare you for a comprehensive exam. With no thesis or capstone project, this track is ideal for educators and professionals seeking to advance their careers and gain historical perspective on their fields.

 

National Standards

  • UCM’s 100% employment rate for graduates with a Master of Arts in History reflects the respect our program has earned over the course of more than 60 years — and the career preparation we provide to today’s students competing in the marketplace.

 

Unique learning opportunities for the Master of Arts in History

Like all the best history master’s programs, the ŷƵ centers around student learning and personalized attention. Both our online and in-person courses focus on experiential learning, giving you the opportunity to engage deeply with the material. 

UCM’s hands-on learning approach prepares you for your history career in any specialization. Choose from a range of opportunities suited to your chosen track within the History graduate degree program:

  • Research (pre-doctoral track): Conduct in-depth research while working with your faculty advisor to develop your History master’s degree thesis. Use original sources to spark complex re-imaginings of historical narratives and present your work to fellow scholars at conferences.
  • Internships (applied public history track): Internships give you the chance to gain real experience building and delivering historical presentations to the public. Past History master’s degree students have interned at high-profile locations such as the Truman Presidential Library, Knob Noster State Park and the Missouri State Archives.
  • Go digital (all tracks): Contribute to future-focused projects like , a free mobile app developed by UCM History students and faculty that  provides interpretive and curated narrative tours about Missouri’s history.
  • Student organizations (all tracks): Join the UCM History Club and build lasting connections with your peers in our graduate degree program through history-themed events and trips to historic sites. Get to know fellow historians around the country as you attend conventions, build leadership experience as invited members to UCM's chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the history national history honor society. Community-building and professional development activities are offered both in person and online. 

 

What you can do with a History graduate degree from UCM?

UCM’s Master of Arts in History degree program prepares graduates in each track for a wide range of professions. You’ll be able step onto the path of your choosing with confidence earned from our student-centered teaching, small class sizes and personal career advising.

Many graduates come into the UCM History graduate degree program as secondary school teachers. Earning a History master’s degree prepares our graduate students to teach dual credit and other advanced high school classes, expanding their job opportunities. 

100% of the ŷƵ’s MA in History degree students are employed in a related field within six months of graduation. 

Learn more about MA in History jobs

Earning your master’s degree in History demonstrates well-developed critical-thinking, analytical and communication skills — all traits that are in high demand in the job market. Use our interactive tool below to explore employment and salary trends for job candidates with a History master’s degree.

 

 
 


 

Financial assistance options for your History master’s degree

The ŷƵ is committed to providing an affordable, high-quality education. The best history master’s programs should increase your earning potential, not weigh you down with debt. As a History master’s degree student at UCM, you can expect low tuition rates and ample university-wide resources to help finance your college education

You may also be eligible for program-specific funds, such as:

  • Twomey Graduate Scholarship

Use the UCM Scholarship Finder to learn more about program-specific scholarships.

 

Pre-Doctoral Track

The Pre-Doctoral track will prepare you for a Ph.D. program in history. You will have the opportunity to work closely with a faculty advisor on your thesis and complete a comprehensive exam and a thesis in this track. Careers include

  • Teaching and research at the university or college level
  • Private and public sector research and grant writing

Applied Public History Track

The Applied Public History track will prepare you for a variety of diverse career paths in public history. This track features many hands-on learning opportunities and project-driven courses. The program culminates in an internship with places such as Knob Noster State Park and the Missouri State Archives. To graduate, you will be required to complete an internship and a public history project, as well as a comprehensive exam. Careers include

  • Archival and records administration
  • Museum studies and historic preservation
  • Park service and cultural resource management

Enrichment Track

The Enrichment track is designed for secondary school educators who wish to enrich their knowledge of history so as to improve their classroom experience. This track focuses on more intensive study of historical fields with additional seminars. This track is ideal if you want to study history for intellectual self-fulfillment, to improve your teaching techniques, or for other vocational reasons. It requires at least four seminars and a comprehensive exam to graduate, but no thesis or capstone project. Careers include

  • Secondary and post-secondary education
  • Law and state and federal government
  • Business: Tourism, Insurance, Publishing, Marketing or Research

Admissions Information

Start making history with the ŷƵ

Admission Requirements

In general, we look for History, MA applicants with the following:

  • Minimum overall grade point average of 2.75
  • Minimum grade point average of 3.0 in at least 20 hours of undergraduate history courses

History Graduate Handbook

Learn about scheduling an interniew, online orientation and more with the History Graduate Handbook.

 

 

 

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