Masters Degrees in World history, USA

The MA degree in history provides a broad base for teaching excellence, a platform for studies leading to the Ph.D., and skills for professions in both the public and private sectors. Students in the MA program concentrate in United States, European, or World/Comparative history and may take up to six semester hours in a discipline related to their major field of study (with permission of the graduate coordinator). The MA in history may be earned by completing either a thesis or non-thesis program. The non-thesis option is designed for students who desire more content courses as background for their own teaching, further academic work, or personal enrichment. The thesis option is designed for students who wish to conduct original research on the Master's level. MA graduates from the West Chester program have gone on to a variety of Ph.D. programs in the United States and abroad.

Please visit the website to see what modules are available on this course:

http://catalog.wcupa.edu/graduate/arts-humanities/history/history-ma/

Course Outcomes

Graduate history courses at WCU enhance the ability of students to:

• Construct generalizations and interpretations that demonstrate an advanced knowledge of historical eras, change over time, and key historical concepts in the history of the United States, Western Civilization, and global civilization.

• Communicate effectively at the graduate level (in both oral and written presentations) their advanced knowledge of history in reasoned arguments supported by historical evidence and an appreciation of multiple causes, effects, and perspectives.

• Locate, distinguish between, and assess primary and secondary sources, and to analyze and interpret a variety of written, oral, visual, and material evidence at an advanced level (Information Literacy).

• Connect their advanced knowledge of historical events and topics to a broader context (historical, historiographical, political, global, or with contemporary life and issues).

Careers

A history major need not mean commitment to a life in poverty. Recent studies suggest that history majors fair well in salaries. WCU history graduates have found employment in a broad range of professions and occupations, including:

• high school teachers
• university professors
• lawyers and judges
• ministers
• museum professionals
• archivists
• librarians
• journalists
• screenwriters
• law enforcement officers
• business
• public officials (in the United States Congress as well as the Pennsylvania General Assembly)
• fundraiser/ development officer
• non-profit administrator
• editor

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The Department of History offers both MA and PhD degrees in several major fields, including those that center on the United States, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Ottoman Empire. While concentrating on the history of one nation or geographic area, students are encouraged to develop a comparative or global perspective in their work and may work in thematic areas such as the history of science, medicine and technology; global history; imperialism; and women, gender and sexuality. The department cooperates closely with a host of interdisciplinary programs and departments to offer students additional instruction in comparative and world history perspectives.

Recent doctoral graduate placements include: Assistant Professor at Piedmont Community College, Assistant Professor at Manhattanville College, Assistant Professor at Wilmington College, Associate Research Historian at Princeton University, Assistant Professor at Lycoming College, Fellow at the Gilder-Lehrman Institute.

All applicants must submit the following:

- Online graduate degree application and application fee
- Transcripts from each college/university you have attended
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal statement (2-3 pages) describing your reasons for pursuing graduate study, your career aspirations, your special interests within your field, and any unusual features of your background that might need explanation or be of interest to your program's admissions committee.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages)
- Official GRE scores
- Writing sample (a paper submitted for an advanced undergraduate or graduate course)

And, for international applicants:
- International Student Financial Statement form
- Official bank statement/proof of support
- Official TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic scores

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