The Masters of Arts II Program in History
The Department of History offers a Masters degree specifically oriented to high school social studies teachers in the mid-Michigan region. Students in the M.A. II program attend graduate-level history courses with Department of History Ph.D students in the late afternoon and evenings. The program requires thirty credits, and M.A. II students are allowed to schedule courses at their own pace (generally one per semester). Graduate course work in other departments at MSU and some transfer credits from other Michigan campuses can count toward the completion of the degree.
Application for Admission to Graduate Study in History
A student seeking admission for graduate work in history must first: (1) submit an on-line application to the Graduate School. Please contact the department if you cannot apply on-line. Please either submit payment on-line via a credit card or print out the application and send it with a check or money order to cover the application fee, directly to the Department of History, 301 Morrill Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1036; and (2) request the registrar of each college or university attended to send two copies of each transcript directly to the Department of History; transcripts of work taken at Michigan State University need not be requested. All applicants to the history program should have the application material, described below, in the hands of the Graduate Director no later than December 1 for admission in the following fall semester. (Applications for teaching assistantships are included in the history department application packet.)
Admission to the MA II Program
For admission to the M.A. II program, applicants must have a bachelor's degree with a major in history or a minimum of 20 semester credits in history; a gradepoint average of 3.00 in the junior and senior years in college and a 3.00 in all undergraduate work in history, as well as one year's teaching experience in secondary school. Each applicant should have two letters of recommendation sent directly to the Graduate Director, Department of History, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1036. Applicants should submit an intellectual biography and statement of intent of 500-1000 words indicating the purpose and goals in pursuing graduate study.
Requirements for the MA II Degree
The M.A. II Degree is designed for the specific needs of the secondary school teacher; a terminal degree, it does not lead toward entry into a doctoral program.
- A total of 30 credits in courses with graduate credit (400-800 levels) selected as follows:
- At least 5 800-level courses in history.
- History 803 (Techniques & Methodology of Historical Research).
- OPTIONAL: Between 6 and 9 of the 30 credits may be taken in one or two disciplines related to history.
- OPTIONAL: No more than 6 credits in HST 890 (Independent Reading).
- At least 12 credits earned in courses taught on the East Lansing campus of Michigan State University.
- Each student in the M.A.II program chooses two of the three areas commonly taught in secondary schools and concentrates course work on them. These areas are American Civilization, European Civilization, and Global Studies. The resulting specialization is designed to provide the graduate of the M.A.II program with the nucleus of a graduate preparation in world history. When advisable, the student enrolls in collateral courses in a historical area before taking graduate courses in that area.
- Before completing 9 credits in this program, the student must constitute a committee of at least two History faculty members to advise the student. M.A.II students should consult regularly with the department's History Education Advisor.
- An oral exam covering the student's overall coursework for the M.A. II program by a committee consisting of three MSU faculty members, including the advisor and at least one other History faculty member. The nature of the exam will be determined by the committee and student in consultation.