The faculty in the Master of Arts in History program are at the forefront of traditional historical study, digital approaches to the past, and applied history. Students select from a variety of course topics while also selecting an area of historical specialization that accommodates their interests and furthers their career objectives. Students come to the program with diverse career objectives, and the program is designed with that diversity in mind. Students take classes in which they discuss history alongside future academics, public historians, teachers, military officers, non-profit professionals, government officials, entrepreneurs, and future academics.

Admissions

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For specific information, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental website.

Policies

For policies governing all graduate degrees, see Graduate Policies.

Reduction of Credit

The program does not permit a reduction of credit based on a previously conferred graduate degree. Students may apply no more than 6 credits earned through study abroad courses toward their degree.

Satisfactory Progress

According to university policy, students may be terminated if they fail to achieve satisfactory progress toward their degree. Students in the program are judged as having failed to achieve satisfactory progress toward their degree for any one of the following reasons:

  • Fail to complete HIST 610 The Study and Writing of History with a satisfactory grade within 2 semesters of first enrolling as degree-seeking students in the MA in history program.
  • Accumulate grades of F in two graduate courses or 9 credits of unsatisfactory grades in graduate courses.
  • Accumulate 12 credits of grades of B- or below in graduate courses.

Banner Code: LA-MA-HIST

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 30 or 36

Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.

Students pursuing this degree must complete the requirements for one of the concentrations below. The concentrations in higher education and teaching require 36 credits, all others require 30 credits.

Concentrations

Concentration in Predoctoral History (AH1, EH1, WH1)

This concentration is for students planning to pursue doctoral studies. Students choose one of three geographic specializations and a chronological or thematic minor field within that specialization. Students complete coursework and a research seminar in their geographic specialization and an additional independent project or thesis in their minor field.

Required Course

HIST 610The Study and Writing of History 13
Total Credits3
1

Must be taken within the first 9 credits

Specialization

Students complete one of the following geographic specializations. 

Specialization in U.S. History 
Select four courses from the following: 112
Origins to 1861
Colonial North America
The Age of Jackson, 1815-1854
Development of the Early Republic, 1783-1815
Disasters in History
Era of the American Revolution
Religion in North America to 1870
Indigenous North America
Problems in American History (when topic applies and with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1861-1914
Topics in the American Civil War Era
U.S. South Since 1865
Civil Rights and Citizenship
Disasters in History
The Gilded Age and Progressive Era
Reconstruction Era
Technology and Power
History of Disease and Medicine
U.S. Religion since 1870
Indigenous North America
Problems in American History (when topic applies and with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1914 World War I to the Present
U.S. South Since 1865
US Political History 1940-1990
Civil Rights and Citizenship
Disasters in History
Interwar America: 1918-1939
Technology and Power
History of Disease and Medicine
U.S. Religion since 1870
Indigenous North America
The Vietnam War
Problems in American History (when topic applies and with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1

Select at least 3 credits from each group 

Specialization in European History
Select four courses from the following: 112
Ancient, Medieval, Early Modern to 1789
The Crusades
Problems in European History (when topic applies and with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1789-1914
Nineteenth-Century Europe
Modern Metropolis
Technology and Power
History of Disease and Medicine
Problems in European History (when topic applies and with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1914 to the Present
Modern Metropolis
Stalinism
Technology and Power
History of Disease and Medicine
Problems in European History (when topic applies with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1

Select at least 3 credits from each group. 

Specialization in Global History
Select four courses from the following:12
Approaches to Modern World History
Problems in Latin American History
Problems in Global History
Problems in Asian History
Problems in African History
Approaches to Middle East and Islamic History
The Crusades
Problems in Middle Eastern History
Disasters in History
World War II Era
Other appropriate courses with department approval

Research Seminar

HIST 797Research Seminar in History3
Total Credits3

Minor Field Concentration

In consultation with the graduate director and other faculty, students identify a chronological or topical subspecialty and select two courses that relate directly to that subspecialty.6
Total Credits6

Language Proficiency

Language proficiency sufficient to conduct primary source research in the student's intended area of concentration, as demonstrated by thesis or independent research project.

Project or Thesis

Select 6 credits of Project or Thesis6
Project and additional Elective
Directed Research and Writing in History 1
Additional 3 credits from Specialization
Thesis
Thesis
Total Credits6
1

Requires the completion of a major paper that is a substantial and original contribution to historical knowledge on the model of an article in a scholarly journal. If students choose to take , they complete an additional 3 credits in their specialization. 

Concentration in Applied History (AH2, EH2, WH2)

This concentration is for students seeking expertise in applied history fields, such as archival management, museum studies, historic preservation, and historical editing. It is also suitable for professionally employed historians who desire to further their careers.

Required Course

HIST 610The Study and Writing of History 13
Total Credits3
1

Must be taken within the first 9 credits

Specialization

Students complete one of the following geographic specializations. 

Specialization in U.S. History 
Select four courses from the following: 112
Origins to 1861
Colonial North America
The Age of Jackson, 1815-1854
Development of the Early Republic, 1783-1815
Disasters in History
Era of the American Revolution
Religion in North America to 1870
Indigenous North America
Problems in American History (when topic applies and with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1861-1914
Topics in the American Civil War Era
U.S. South Since 1865
Civil Rights and Citizenship
Disasters in History
The Gilded Age and Progressive Era
Reconstruction Era
Technology and Power
History of Disease and Medicine
U.S. Religion since 1870
Indigenous North America
Problems in American History (when topic applies and with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1914 World War I to the Present
U.S. South Since 1865
US Political History 1940-1990
Civil Rights and Citizenship
Disasters in History
Interwar America: 1918-1939
Technology and Power
History of Disease and Medicine
U.S. Religion since 1870
Indigenous North America
The Vietnam War
Problems in American History (when topic applies and with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1

Select at least 3 credits from each group.

Specialization in European History
Select four courses from the following: 112
Ancient, Medieval, Early Modern to 1789
The Crusades
Problems in European History (when topic applies and with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1789-1914
Nineteenth-Century Europe
Modern Metropolis
Technology and Power
History of Disease and Medicine
Problems in European History (when topic applies and with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1914 to the Present
Modern Metropolis
Stalinism
Technology and Power
History of Disease and Medicine
Problems in European History (when topic applies with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1

Select at least 3 credits from each group.

Specialization in Global History
Select four courses from the following:12
Approaches to Modern World History
Problems in Latin American History
Problems in Global History
Problems in Asian History
Problems in African History
Approaches to Middle East and Islamic History
The Crusades
Problems in Middle Eastern History
Disasters in History
World War II Era
Other appropriate course with department approval

Research Seminar

HIST 797Research Seminar in History3
Total Credits3

Applied History

Students take 12 credits of coursework in historic preservation, museum studies, archives, historical editing, or new media and information technology. At least 6 credits must be taken as coursework other than internship.

Professional Experience
Students may meet this requirement through a minimum of 3 credits of internship or with professional experience in applied history, with documentation and approval of department. Students with professional experience will take 12 credits of coursework from the list below to meet the applied history requirement.
Internship in Applied History
Select 6-12 credits from the following:6-12
Topics in Applied History
War and Remembrance
Introduction to Digital Humanities
Topics in History and New Media
Teaching and Learning History in the Digital Age
The Administration of Archives and Manuscripts
Museum Studies
Historical Editing
Historic Preservation
Digital Public History
Clio Wired: An Introduction to History and New Media
Data Analysis for History
Creating Software for History
Other appropriate course with department approval

Proficiency in a Relevant Research Tool

Students fulfill the requirement by completing one of the following:
Coursework, work or internship experience, or exam in computers, statistics, or a modern foreign language.
Introduction to Digital Humanities
Clio Wired: An Introduction to History and New Media
Other course by approval of department

Concentration in Applied History with New Media and Information Technology Emphasis (AH4, EH4, WH4)

Students pursuing this concentration take:

Required Course

HIST 610The Study and Writing of History 13
Total Credits3
1

Must be taken within the first 9 credits

Specialization

Students complete one of the following geographic specializations. 

Specialization in U.S. History 
Select four courses from the following: 112
Origins to 1861
Colonial North America
The Age of Jackson, 1815-1854
Development of the Early Republic, 1783-1815
Disasters in History
Era of the American Revolution
Religion in North America to 1870
Indigenous North America
Problems in American History (when topic applies and with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1861-1914
Topics in the American Civil War Era
U.S. South Since 1865
Civil Rights and Citizenship
Disasters in History
The Gilded Age and Progressive Era
Reconstruction Era
Technology and Power
History of Disease and Medicine
U.S. Religion since 1870
Indigenous North America
Problems in American History (when topic applies and with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1914 World War I to the Present
U.S. South Since 1865
US Political History 1940-1990
Civil Rights and Citizenship
Disasters in History
Interwar America: 1918-1939
Technology and Power
History of Disease and Medicine
U.S. Religion since 1870
Indigenous North America
The Vietnam War
Problems in American History (when topic applies and with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1

Select at least 3 credits from each group.

Specialization in European History
Select four courses from the following: 112
Ancient, Medieval, Early Modern to 1789
The Crusades
Problems in European History (when topic applies and with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1789-1914
Nineteenth-Century Europe
Modern Metropolis
Technology and Power
History of Disease and Medicine
Problems in European History (when topic applies and with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1914 to the Present
Modern Metropolis
Stalinism
Technology and Power
History of Disease and Medicine
Problems in European History (when topic applies with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1

Select at least 3 credits from each group.

Specialization in Global History
Select four courses from the following:12
Approaches to Modern World History
Problems in Latin American History
Problems in Global History
Problems in Asian History
Problems in African History
Approaches to Middle East and Islamic History
The Crusades
Problems in Middle Eastern History
Disasters in History
World War II Era
Other appropriate course with department approval

Research Seminar

HIST 797Research Seminar in History3
Total Credits3

New Media and Information Technology

Select two courses in new media and information technology 16
Total Credits6
1

Students should consult the department for relevant courses.  

Internship in Information Technology

If students chose to do a 3-credit internship, they will take an additional 3 credits in applied history course work from courses numbered HIST 680 - HIST 698.

HIST 794Internship in Applied History3-6
Total Credits3-6

Proficiency in a Relevant Research Tool

Students fulfill the requirement by completing one of the following:
Coursework, work or internship experience, or exam in computers, statistics, or a modern foreign language.
Introduction to Digital Humanities
Clio Wired: An Introduction to History and New Media
Other course by approval of department

Concentration in Enrichment (AH3, EH3, WH3)

This concentration is for students who want to study history for intellectual self-fulfillment or vocational reasons. It allows more flexibility in the selection of courses and does not have a foreign language requirement.

Required Course

HIST 610The Study and Writing of History 13
Total Credits3
1

Must be taken within the first 9 credits.

Specialization

Students complete one of the following specializations. 

Specialization in U.S. History
Select four courses from the following: 112
Origins to 1861
Colonial North America
The Age of Jackson, 1815-1854
Development of the Early Republic, 1783-1815
Disasters in History
Era of the American Revolution
Religion in North America to 1870
Indigenous North America
Problems in American History (when topic applies and with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1861-1914
Topics in the American Civil War Era
U.S. South Since 1865
Civil Rights and Citizenship
Disasters in History
The Gilded Age and Progressive Era
Reconstruction Era
Technology and Power
History of Disease and Medicine
U.S. Religion since 1870
Indigenous North America
Problems in American History (when topic applies and with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1914 World War I to the Present
U.S. South Since 1865
US Political History 1940-1990
Civil Rights and Citizenship
Disasters in History
Interwar America: 1918-1939
Technology and Power
History of Disease and Medicine
U.S. Religion since 1870
Indigenous North America
The Vietnam War
Problems in American History (when topic applies and with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1

Select at least 3 credits from each group.

Specialization in European History
Select four courses from the following: 112
Ancient, Medieval, Early Modern to 1789
The Crusades
Problems in European History (when topic applies and with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1789-1914
Nineteenth-Century Europe
Modern Metropolis
Technology and Power
History of Disease and Medicine
Problems in European History (when topic applies and with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1914 to the Present
Modern Metropolis
Stalinism
Technology and Power
History of Disease and Medicine
Problems in European History (when topic applies with department approval)
Other appropriate course with department approval
1

Select at least 3 credits from each group.

Specialization in Global History
Select four courses from the following:12
Approaches to Modern World History
Problems in Latin American History
Problems in Global History
Problems in Asian History
Problems in African History
Approaches to Middle East and Islamic History
The Crusades
Problems in Middle Eastern History
Disasters in History
World War II Era
Other appropriate course with department approval

Research Seminar

HIST 797Research Seminar in History3
Total Credits3

Course in a Field Outside of Geographic Specialization

Select one course from U.S., European, or world history (listed above) that is not in their chosen specialization.3
Total Credits3

Elective Courses

Students can choose to pursue a Thesis in lieu of two electives9
Select three elective courses
Thesis
Thesis
Select one elective course
Total Credits9

Concentration in Higher Education (HEDU)

The concentration in higher education is intended for  students who want to teach history at community college. It includes coursework in both history and education, including a course on college teaching. Students are required to take at least one history course in each of three areas (U.S., European, and world history), and they are encouraged to take two courses in each area to prepare them to teach the U.S., western civilization, and world history survey courses most commonly offered at the community college level.

Required Course

HIST 610The Study and Writing of History 13
Total Credits3
1

 Must be taken with the first 9 credits.

Additional Courses in History

Select six courses in history 118
Total Credits18
1

Must include at least one course each from U.S. European, and world history.

Research Seminar

HIST 797Research Seminar in History3
Total Credits3

Graduate Education

Select four courses from the following:12
College Teaching
Practicum
Six credits of HE electives
Total Credits12

Concentration in Teaching (HS4)

This concentration offers students interested in a career in secondary education the option to devote part of their History MA to graduate coursework that can be applied toward the requirements for licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Students who have an interest in obtaining licensure to teach should meet with a pre-Education advisor in the College Of Education and Human Development at the beginning of their program to create a plan for completion of the required content-coursework prerequisites (Endorsements). You can view information here: https://cehd.gmu.edu/endorse/ or contact the Pre-Education Advising Coordinator at endorse@gmu.edu. Students seeking licensure must also enroll in the Secondary Education Licensure Graduate Certificate (E1-CERG-SELC), a state-approved educator preparation program. Upon completion of the discipline-specific content competencies coursework; the MA in History, concentration in teaching; and the Secondary Education Licensure Graduate Certificate, students will be eligible for recommendation for an initial teaching license in Secondary Education History and Social Science.

Required Course

HIST 610The Study and Writing of History 13
Total Credits3
1

Must be taken within the first 9 credits. 

History

Select five courses in history, at least one course each from U.S., European, and world history15
Total Credits15

Research Seminar

HIST 797Research Seminar in History3
Total Credits3

College of Education and Human Development Graduate Courses

SEED 567Teaching Social Studies in the Secondary School3
SEED 522Foundations of Secondary Education3
EDRD 619Disciplinary Literacy3
SEED 540Human Development and Learning: Secondary Education3
SEED 667Advanced Methods of Teaching Social Sciences in the Secondary School3
Total Credits15

Program Outcomes

  • Achieve historical literacy: Identify, summarize, appraise, and synthesize other scholars’ historical arguments.
  • Build historical knowledge: Gather and contextualize information to convey both the particularity of past lives and the scale of human experience.
  • Develop historical methods: Collect, sift, organize, question, synthesize, and interpret complex material.
  • Create historical arguments and narratives: Generate substantive, open-ended questions about the past and develop research strategies to answer them.

History, BA/History, Accelerated MA

Overview

Highly-qualified Mason undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a BA in History and an MA in History in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 138 credits.

See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees for policies related to this program.

Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

BAM Pathway Admission Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Degree policies.  For information specific to this accelerated master's program, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental website.

Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits, including HIST 300 Introduction to Historical Method (Mason Core) with a minimum grade of B+.

Students who are accepted in the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits.

Accelerated Master's Admissions Requirements

Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the MA program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form:

  • Minimum overall GPA of 3.25
  • Completion of a HIST 499 RS: Senior Seminar in History (Mason Core) or HIST 491 Honors Directed Research
  • Minimum grade of B in each advanced standing course
  • Successfully meeting Mason's requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completing the application for graduation.

Accelerated Pathway Requirements

To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following:

Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits with a minimum grade of B in each)

500- or 600-level HIST courses
HIST 610 The Study and Writing of History is preferred, but not required

Reserve Graduate Credit courses (up to 6 credits) taken while an undergraduate and will only count for the graduate degree program

500- or 600-level HIST courses

For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements see AP.6.7 Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Degree policies.