Overview

Pursuing a graduate degree in history should be enriching both personally and professionally, equipping the individual with a deeper understanding of the past as well as providing an appreciation of the complexities of the present. From a professional perspective it opens the door to a number of careers.

An M.A. degree in History is usually a requirement for teaching the subject at community colleges and it provides an excellent complement for teaching the history/social science framework at the high school level. Students completing the M.A. program will have developed critical, analytical, and writing skills that are of value in various fields. For those considering pursuing a Ph.D. in history, and eventually teaching at the university level, the M.A. program gives students a taste of what is involved and prepares them for doctoral work. Although the program does not require knowledge of a foreign language, students are strongly encouraged to develop a reading ability in a language other than English.

The MA program in History at CSUB offers two degree options: comprehensive examinations or a thesis.

The following resources from the American Historical Association may helpful:

Resources for History Graduate Students is intended for people who are considering a history graduate program or who are enrolled in one.

Resources for Early Career Professionals is helpful for graduate students preparing to complete the program and move on to a career.

If you have further questions about the M.A. program, feel free to email our Graduate Program Director, Dr. Stephen Allen.