History (MA) — The Program

History Track, History Teaching Track, Historical Archaeology Track

The History Department offers a master’s degree in history with a choice of three tracks: a history track; a history teaching track; and (with the Anthropology Department) a historical archaeology track.

History

The Master of Arts Program in History offers a rigorous, individually planned set of courses and supervised research and writing. Both demanding and flexible, it suits those students who intend to pursue a PhD or a career in secondary-school teaching, as well as those who seek to test their capacity for graduate work. Not all students enter directly from college; many return at the beginning graduate level after long absences from school. The student body includes teachers at the secondary level who desire to improve their knowledge of the field. Students who simply wish to pursue advanced studies for their own intellectual enjoyment and development also benefit from the program’s design. Graduate enrollment is small, affording the graduate student close faculty attention and support. All graduate courses consist of seminars that are capped at 15 students.

History Teaching

The history teaching track is specially designed to meet the needs of current and prospective secondary-school teachers of history/social studies. It emphasizes extensive and varied course work in history culminating in a teaching-oriented capstone project rather than a thesis. It is not a teacher licensure program. Students interested in teacher licensure should consult with the Graduate College of Education’s Teacher Education Program to determine the requirements for licensure at either the initial or professional level. Those requirements may be satisfied in coordination with the History MA Program.

History/Historical Archaeology

The History/Historical Archaeology track offers a program of study in anthropology and history with concentrations in historical archaeology, ethnohistory, and the comparative study of colonialism. Students may also receive specialized training in environmental archaeology working with faculty and staff of the Fiske Center for Archaeological Research. With additional course work, students may choose to pursue a concentration in historical archaeology and GIS (Geographic Information Systems). The program is designed for students interested in receiving a comprehensive master’s degree before going on for a doctorate or those interested in careers in cultural resource management or museums. Area concentrations are available in North America and Mesoamerica, subarea concentrations in Northeastern United States, California, American Southwest, Chesapeake, and Andean South America. Students are expected to take four required courses, three in anthropology, one in history, and four electives in anthropology, history, American studies, or geographic information systems. Research opportunities are available through the Fiske Center for Archaeological Research. Museum internships are available with several area museums, including Plimouth Plantation, Old Sturbridge Village, and Strawberry Banke. Research assistantships are available that carry tuition waivers and stipends.

The Historical Archaeology Track is administered by the Anthropology Department.

For further information, contact them at 617.287.6850.