M.A. in English
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in English at UNCW is a flexible and student-centered program...
M.A. in History
Wilmington, North Carolina
INTAKE: August
Program Overview
The M.A. in History program at UNCW provides a rigorous graduate education with several flexible options to cater to various student aspirations. Students can choose from concentrations in U.S. History, European History, Global History, and Public History. There are also two distinct track options: a Thesis Option, ideal for those considering further doctoral study or who enjoy intensive research, and a Non-Thesis Option, particularly suited for history educators or those preferring less research-intensive programs. An innovative online M.A. program is specifically designed for professional history educators, museum educators, librarians, and archivists looking to deepen their historical content knowledge without interrupting their careers.
Curriculum: The curriculum is designed to cultivate sophisticated historical thinking and research abilities. All students are typically introduced to the craft of professional historians through a course in historiography and methodology (e.g., HST 500). Beyond this foundational course, students delve into specialized colloquia and research seminars within their chosen concentration. The Public History concentration, for instance, incorporates courses on historical memory, commemoration, and public history research seminars with a public component. The online option for educators focuses on major issues and recent historiography relevant to the common core history curriculum, with coursework delivered entirely online and asynchronous, complemented by two intensive, one-week summer institutes on campus. The capstone experience for the online program for educators emphasizes the hands-on application of content to teaching situations and lesson planning, alongside a historiographic essay and comprehensive exams.
Research Focus: As a "Doctoral University - High Research Activity" (R2) institution, UNCW places a significant emphasis on research across all disciplines, including history. The History Department faculty are active scholars with diverse research interests spanning various geographic regions and time periods, including U.S. history (e.g., Reconstruction, civil rights, African American history, environmental history), European history (e.g., imperial Russia, early Soviet state, medieval institutions, warfare), Global History (e.g., African history, global trade, Chinese famine, Jewish history), and Public History (e.g., material culture, gender and sexuality history, digital history). Students are actively encouraged to engage in faculty-mentored research, culminating in a master's thesis for those on the thesis track, which allows for in-depth exploration of a chosen historical topic. The department's commitment to high-quality research productivity is evident in faculty publications, grant acquisitions, and their dedication to guiding student research.
Industry Engagement: The M.A. in History program, particularly its Public History concentration, fosters strong industry engagement. Students in the Public History program gain practical skills through "practica" (internships) with local institutions such as museums, historic sites, and archives. These experiences involve hands-on work in collections care and management, museum education, exhibit design, historic preservation, and archives management. The program is committed to connecting institutions with individuals and groups in the surrounding communities, often through oral history projects and digital exhibits. The department also encourages general engagement with the public through faculty-led talks and events, highlighting the relevance of historical scholarship beyond academia. These applied learning opportunities ensure graduates are well-prepared for roles in the public history sector and other professions valuing historical expertise.
Global Perspective: The UNCW M.A. in History program strongly integrates a global perspective into its curriculum and faculty expertise. Nearly half of the History Department's faculty specialize in regions outside the United States, bringing a rich international dimension to the program. Concentrations such as Global History emphasize understanding historical processes and events within a worldwide context. Courses and faculty research delve into diverse areas, including African history, various aspects of European history, and global themes like trade and diasporas. This broad international focus ensures that graduates develop a nuanced understanding of interconnected global histories, preparing them to critically analyze past and present events from a comprehensive global viewpoint.
Location
Wilmington, North Carolina
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 24198
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) offers a variety of scholarship opportunities designed to support and attract talented international students. These scholarships aim to make education more affordable while recognizing academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UNCW provides merit scholarships for international students based on academic achievements, standardized test scores, and other criteria. These awards can significantly reduce tuition costs and are often renewable for multiple years based on maintaining good academic standing.
International Student Scholarships: Specific scholarships are available exclusively for international students, such as the International Student Scholarship which rewards outstanding academic performance and leadership qualities. Eligibility and award amounts vary each year, encouraging prospective students to apply early.
Departmental Scholarships: Many academic departments at UNCW offer scholarships targeted to students within their programs, including international students. These scholarships recognize excellence in fields such as business, marine science, and the arts, and often require separate applications or nominations.
External Scholarships and Financial Aid: UNCW encourages international students to explore additional funding options through external organizations, governments, and private foundations. The university’s financial aid office provides guidance on locating and applying for these scholarships.
A Master of Arts (M.A.) in History from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) provides graduates with a highly sought-after blend of critical thinking, advanced research, analytical reasoning, and persuasive communication skills. While often seen as a path to academia, an M.A. in History from UNCW, especially with its strong Public History concentration, opens doors to a diverse range of rewarding careers in both traditional and non-traditional fields, making graduates adaptable to various professional environments.
Archivist: Graduates can work in public or private archives, libraries, or government agencies to appraise, acquire, organize, describe, preserve, and provide access to historical records and documents. This role is crucial for maintaining collective memory.
Museum Curator/Educator: With a strong foundation in historical interpretation and the practical skills gained from UNCW's Public History program, graduates can develop and manage museum collections, design exhibits, and create educational programs for the public at various historical institutions.
Historic Preservationist: This career involves protecting and managing historical buildings, sites, and cultural landscapes. Graduates might work for government agencies, non-profits, or private consulting firms, conducting surveys, preparing nominations for historic registers, and advising on restoration projects.
Librarian (Special Collections/Reference): An M.A. in History can be an excellent foundation for a career as a librarian, particularly in special collections, archives, or as a research and reference librarian. They assist patrons with historical inquiries and manage historical resources.
Researcher/Historian (Government, Corporate, Non-profit): Beyond academia, historians are employed by government agencies (e.g., National Park Service, military historical offices), corporations (for institutional history or brand storytelling), and non-profit organizations to conduct research, write reports, and provide historical context.
Genealogist: With expertise in historical records and research methodologies, graduates can work as professional genealogists, helping individuals or organizations trace family histories or institutional lineages.
Writer/Editor (Historical Content): Graduates can apply their strong research and writing skills to produce historical content for books, magazines, documentaries, websites, or educational materials, either as authors, editors, or content developers.
Educator (Secondary or Community College Level): Many M.A. in History graduates, especially those from the online program for educators, pursue or advance careers as history teachers at middle and high schools or as instructors at community colleges, sharing their passion and knowledge of the past with students.
Policy Analyst/Researcher (Government/Think Tanks): The analytical and research skills developed in a history M.A. are highly valuable in public policy. Graduates can analyze historical trends and contexts to inform current policy decisions in government bodies or policy think tanks.
Legal Profession (Pre-Law/Paralegal): While not a direct legal degree, the rigorous training in analyzing evidence, constructing arguments, and conducting thorough research inherent in a history M.A. makes it an excellent preparation for law school or for roles as paralegals, where historical cases and precedents are often crucial.
