History, M.A.

Master of Arts in History/Master of Arts in Teaching History

Graduate Program Chair

Laura Baker, PhD

Graduate Committee

Sean C. Goodlett, PhD
Katherine Jewell, PhD
Benjamin Lieberman, PhD
John Paul, PhD
René Reeves, PhD
Daniel Sarefield, PhD
Teresa Thomas, PhD
Susan Williams, PhD

Program Objectives

The Master of Arts (MA) in History Program is designed for students pursuing careers in historical research, public history writing, postsecondary level teaching, and for secondary teachers pursuing advanced study in history. The MA in History offers two tracks, a thesis track and a non-thesis track. The non-thesis track requires successful completion of a comprehensive oral exit examination.

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) History Program combines advanced studies in both history and the teaching of history. Track A of the MAT is a non-licensure track for teachers already licensed and seeking advanced studies in history and the teaching of history. The MAT professional licensure track (Track B) leads to professional licensure at the secondary level. The MAT initial licensure track (Track C) leads to initial licensure at the secondary level.

Program Description

The curriculum for both the MA and MAT programs aims to:

• Promote graduate-level historical scholarship
• Support and encourage the development of a wide range of historical knowledge, including a global perspective

Additionally, the MAT program strives to:

• Expand the scholar/teacher’s skills in the complex process of teaching history
• Enable practicing teachers to expand their strategies for teaching history from a multicultural, gender-balanced perspective

Admissions Standards and Criteria

To apply for enrollment in either the master of arts or master of arts in teaching history programs, students must submit documents as outlined in the graduate admissions section as well as:

• An official transcript of a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, preferably with (but not limited to) a major or minor in history; minimum 3.0 overall GPA required.
• Applicants to the MAT in history professional licensure track (Track B) must submit a copy of their initial teaching license.
• Applicants to the MAT in history initial licensure must submit passing scores on the Communication and Literacy and History subtests of the Massachusetts Test for Education Licensure (MTEL).
• Applicants to the MAT in History must complete an essay of no more than one page in response to one of the following statements or questions:
  1. Tell us about a positive situation in which you helped a person and made a significant difference in that person’s life.
  2. What are the most important factors in establishing a long-term working relationship with students, friends, etc.?
  3. Tell us about a significant event that involved you in a teaching or helping role.
     • Describe the situation as it occurred at the time.
     • What did you do in that particular situation?
     • How did you feel about the situation at the time you were experiencing it?
     • How do you feel about the situation now?
     • What would you change, if anything?

For more information regarding licensure requirements for teacher preparation programs, contact the Educator Licensure Office at (978) 665-3239 or visit the Web site at www.fitchburgstate.edu/edunit.

• For those pursuing the MA, a writing sample must be submitted. This may include an undergraduate level term paper or a published article and should be the equivalent of at least 10 typed, doubled-spaced pages and include footnotes and a bibliography.

Note: Applicants with inadequate preparation in history may be required to take undergraduate courses in history prior to admission.

Program Requirements

The MA program requires 30 semester hours of academic work. There are 2 tracks, a thesis and non-thesis track. Nonthesis track students are required to pass a comprehensive oral exit examination. Thesis track students are also required to pass an oral thesis defense. Details regarding advancement to candidacy are available from the History Department.

The MAT program has three tracks: A, B, and C. All tracks include a content core in history. Graduate students have the option of completing (with approval of the program chairperson) 18 graduate credits of an American History Content Core to be used with either track A or B.

Track A is for teachers who are already licensed and seeking advanced studies in history and the teaching of history.

Track B is for students with initial licensure who seek Professional Licensure. In addition to the content core, students must complete an 18-credit core of education courses designed to fulfill requirements for professional licensure.

Track C is for students seeking initial licensure. In addition to the content core, students must complete an 18-24 credit core of education courses designed to fulfill requirements for initial licensure as well as to advance students’ research and leadership skills.

Once accepted, students in the initial licensure track will undergo a transcript review by the graduate program chair and a plan of study will be developed that addresses:

• Courses missing (if applicable) in the subject that are equivalent to the requirements for the undergraduate minor in History. Students with inadequate preparation may be required to take some courses as prerequisite courses that do not count towards the 18 credits of history coursework.
• Courses that meet the National Council for Social Studies standards for social studies teacher preparation. Students with inadequate preparation in this area may be required to take some courses as prerequisite courses that do not count towards the 18 credits of history coursework.

MA Program of Study