History, M.A.

Program Director: Yongguang Hu
Email: hu2yx@jmu.edu

Program Description

In the graduate program in history at James Madison University, students deepen their understanding of the past and its relationship to the present, and they develop advanced skills in scholarly research, critical and creative thinking, and oral and written communication. The program serves the needs of the Commonwealth of Virginia by contributing to the creation of an educated, enlightened and productive citizenry. The academic training students receive prepares them for additional graduate education in history, for teaching at the secondary level and for employment in a range of other settings such as museums, archives, government agencies, libraries, historic preservation organizations, historical sites and private businesses.

This program is designed to be completed in 2 years. Summer courses are not required.

Admission Criteria

All applicants must first satisfy the general application requirements of The Graduate School. For information, see the information for prospective graduate students on The Graduate School website.

In addition to satisfying all admission requirements set by The Graduate School, the Department of History requires applicants to its program to have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0. The department welcomes applicants from any undergraduate major, although the graduate committee may require students who have majored in other fields to take prerequisite undergraduate courses in history.

To Apply

For information about the application process, for the online application form and for application instructions, see the Graduate School's website. There, applicants will upload the materials required for the application.

Required Materials

The Department of History requires all prospective applicants to submit the following:

• Official transcripts of all colleges and universities attended
• A brief statement of purpose, 250-500 words in length, that identifies the applicant's academic or professional background, intended field of concentration and long-range career aspirations
• Three letters of recommendation, at least two of which are from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic work and potential for graduate study
• A demonstration of the applicant's research and analytical abilities. This can be presented in one of several ways: A) A formal paper of approximately 10-20 pages that demonstrates the applicant's analytical abilities and writing skills; B) A public facing history project: exhibit, collection, visualization, podcast, etc. that demonstrates analytical and technological sophistication.
• Any additional materials that demonstrate the applicant's preparation and potential for graduate study

Application Deadlines

Complete applications must be received by February 1. Incomplete applications will not be considered; applicants are responsible for assuring that all materials have been received. The graduate committee begins its review of all complete applications after February 1. Applications received after February 1 will be reviewed in accordance with openings available in the program. Students normally matriculate in the fall semester.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts degree in history requires thirty graduate credit hours in history. All students take fifteen credit hours of core courses. Students fulfill the remaining fifteen credit hours either through elective courses or through a concentration in public history, the requirements for which are listed below. 

All students must complete a research and writing seminar (HIST 673) which culminates in a publishable scholarly essay. Students in the public history concentration must also complete a workshop in public history (HIST 641) which results in a public history project.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Core Courses
HIST 600	Seminar in U.S. History: Early Period	3
HIST 650	Seminar in World History	3
HIST 671	Seminar in Historical Research Methods	3
HIST 673	Graduate Research and Writing Seminar	3
HIST 696	Introduction to Public History	3
Subtotal		15
Public History Concentration (see below) or Electives		15
Students who do not elect the public history concentration must take 15 additional credit hours of graduate HIST courses beyond the core.
Total		30

Public History Concentration

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
HIST 640	Graduate Internship in History	3
HIST 641	Workshop in Public History	3
Electives		9
Students must take three additional elective courses, at least one of which must be in public history and one outside public history.
Total Credits		15

Program Guide

All Master of Arts in History students are required to complete the following courses.

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall Semester		Credits
HIST 650	Seminar in World History	3
HIST 671	Seminar in Historical Research Methods	3
HIST 696	Introduction to Public History	3
	Credits	9
Spring Semester
HIST 600	Seminar in U.S. History: Early Period	3
Electives		6
	Credits	9
Second Year
Fall Semester
HIST 673	Graduate Research and Writing Seminar	3
HIST 640	Graduate Internship in History (or Elective)	3
Electives		3
	Credits	9
Spring Semester
HIST 641	Workshop in Public History ((or Electives))	3
	Credits	3
	Total Credits	30