History MA
The MA in History at Florida Gulf Coast University offers students a well-rounded and flexible academic program.
The degree emphasizes the research, writing, and professional development skills needed to succeed in teaching (K-12 through State College levels), public history (museum administration, archives, government offices, etc), and PhD programs in History or related fields.
Program Requirements full-time/part-time options financial aid/assistantships
Advancing your Teaching Career
FGCU’s MA in History offers a flexible and convenient MA for Educators in Southwest
Florida. Educators benefit from evening and summer courses, the opportunity to receive
merit-based tuition waivers, and a wide variety of courses to meet individual needs
and interests. Equipped with an MA in History, our alumni are flourishing as teachers
and educational leaders in Lee County, Collier County, and beyond.
Preparing for Graduate School
FGCU’s MA in History can serve as a starting point for further graduate study. Our
alumni have been accepted to master’s and PhD programs at academic institutions such
as the University of Maryland, Western Michigan University, Northern Arizona University,
and the University of Alabama.
The American Historical Association provides resources for students who are considering graduate study in history:
Public History
FGCU’s MA in History offers graduate courses in public and oral history. Students
with an interest in public history can complete up to six credit hours in Internship
coursework. Museums and historical sites where FGCU students have worked include the
Edison and Ford Winter Estates, Burroughs Home and Gardens, and the IMAG History and
Science Center. 
2018-2019 Student Handbook
-
Application/Admission process
Toggle More InfoHow do I apply for the History MA program?
- Visit the Office of Graduate Studies & Admissions
Do I have to take the GRE? What are the minimum scores required?
- For students with a GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 hours of the BA or BS degree, the GRE is not required. For applicants who do not meet this criterion, a minimum verbal GRE score of 500 (old) or 153 (revised) and a minimum analytical score of 3.5 is required.
If I am an international student, what test must I take? What is the minimum score required?
- If you are an international student from a country where English is not the primary language, you must take the TOEFL. The minimum score required is 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based).
When is the priority deadline for admissions?
- Priority consideration for merit-based financial aid will be given to applicants whose materials have been received in full by February 15 (for Fall admission) or October 15 (for Spring admission).
I understand I need to submit a personal statement of 2-3 pages. What should I write?
- The statement should explain your motivation for pursuing an MA degree, your career goals, and the intended focus of your studies. Specific references to relevant experience or training will strengthen your letter.
Do I need to have a BA in History to apply to the MA program?
- Your undergraduate major can be in any subject, as long as you meet the minimum requirement of at least 15 credits in History (or a related field) from a regionally accredited institution.
How long should my writing sample be?
- The writing sample should be 3,000–5,000 words (i.e., an undergraduate research paper from an upper-level history course).
-
Program FAQs
Toggle More InfoWhich courses are required to complete the 36 hours for the History MA?
- All students must complete at least one of the three professional practice courses: HIS 6004—College-Level Teaching, HIS 6159—Historiography, or HIS 6937—Academic Editing and Writing. For their remaining credit hours, students select appropriate courses from their major field (18 hours maximum), minor field (12 hours maximum), and electives.
How many credits may I transfer in from another university?
- You may transfer a maximum of 9 graduate credit hours from regionally accredited institutions, subject to the approval of the graduate program coordinator.
May I take courses outside of the History program?
- You may take up to 9 elective credits of non-History courses, subject to the approval of the graduate program coordinator.
What does the comprehensive exam require?
- The exam consists of four essay questions, which you must answer in a four hour period. The essays encompass the main historiographical themes and issues in your major and/or minor fields. Exams will be graded by the faculty on your exams committee.
Department Contacts
-
Accreditation
Toggle More InfoInstitutional Accreditation
Information on FGCU institutional accreditation is available at www.fgcu.edu/accreditation
-
Admissions and Curriculum Information
Toggle More InfoVisit the FGCU Academic Catalog to review specific Admissions information and Program Requirements.
For undergraduate degree programs, also see the Degree Map that can be used as a semester-by-semester guide to timely graduation.
-
Course Descriptions
Toggle More InfoOfficial Course Descriptions
Search for official course descriptions by using the Course Description Search utility.
Go to the Course Descriptions Search Web page, then follow these steps:
- Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
- Select a course prefix from one of the SUBJECT dropdowns (required)
- Enter search words in the TEXT field (optional, but will narrow the search results)
- Press Search
-
Course Schedule
Toggle More InfoGetting started with the Course Schedule Search
Search for program courses by using the Course Schedule Search utility.
Go to the Course Schedule Search Web page, then follow these steps:
- Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
- Select one or more of the search options to narrow your results (for example, CAMPUS, COLLEGE, DEPARTMENT, LEVEL, PREFIX*, COURSE ATTRIBUTE**). For virtual or web courses, select VIRTUAL in the CAMPUS field.
- Press Search.
*A course prefix is a three-letter designator for a major division of an academic discipline (for example, ACG for Accounting , BSC for Biological Science, ENC for English Composition). See the Degree Requirements page for a list of courses (with prefix and number) that can be used to fulfill degree requirements.
**A course attribute identifies specific characteristics of courses that can be used in a Degree Evaluation to satisfy a degree requirement. (Course attribute examples are Humanities courses - GEHM and Social Science courses - GESO.)
-
Learning Outcomes
Toggle More InfoHistory M.A.
Academic Learning Compact
Consistent with its mission and guiding principles, Florida Gulf Coast University is committed to academic excellence and continuous quality improvement, as supported by a sound teaching-learning process. Within this process, students and instructors share responsibility for learning that is a movement from the simple to the complex, the concrete to the abstract, and the dependent to the independent. The Academic Learning Compact (ALC) initiative supports the teaching-learning process by clearly identifying expected core student learning outcomes; aligning curricula with expectations; and using assessment to guide continuous improvement.MAHist-DIS1 Graduates of the program will be able to express a scholarship-based understanding of key historiographical theories and philosophies, and their application to a variety of historical subject matters.
MAHist-DIS2
Graduates of the program will be able to evaluate and deconstruct a range of historical texts including primary and secondary sources, in a complex manner.MAHist-DIS3
Graduates of the program will be able to conduct advanced historical research and scholarship, using relevant resources and databases that engages with interdisciplinary perspectives, adds to scholarly understanding, provides challenging perspectives, or analyzes various ethical and professional issues.MAHist-DIS4
Graduates of the program will be able to create sophisticated and professionally informed written works and employ prose that is clear and effective.
Learning Outcomes will be assessed in the following courses:MAHist-DIS1 - Express historiographical theories - Discipline Content KnowledgeAMH 6567 - Women in American HistoryHIS 5930 - Special TopicsMAHist-DIS2 - Evaluate historical texts - Discipline Content KnowledgeAMH 6567 - Women in American HistoryHIS 5930 - Special TopicsMAHist-DIS3 - Conduct advanced research - Discipline Content KnowledgeAMH 6567 - Women in American HistoryHIS 5930 - Special TopicsMAHist-DIS4 - Engage historical research - Discipline Content KnowledgeAMH 6567 - Women in American HistoryHIS 5930 - Special Topics -
Tuition, Fees, and Financial Assistance
Toggle More InfoTuition and Fees
Information on Tuition, Fees and estimated total Cost of Attendance is available on the Office of the Bursar web site.
Tuition Waivers
A limited number of tuition waivers, which cover only in-state matriculation fees, are available. These are awarded competitively. To access the application, visit the tuition waiver page.
Graduate Assistantships
A limited number of graduate assistantships are available for full-time students (those enrolled in 9 or more credit hours per semester). These are awarded competitively, and admission into the program does not guarantee a graduate assistantship.
Teaching Assistantships
A limited number of teaching assistantships are available for full-time students who have passed 18 hours of History graduate coursework and who have successfully passed HIS 6004 (College-level teaching). These are awarded competitively; meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee a teaching assistantship.
Financial Aid
Visit FGCU's Financial Aid Web site for information about grants, scholarships, loans, and student employment.
