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M.A. in History
Vermillion, South Dakota
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.A. in History at USD is designed to cultivate sophisticated research abilities and enhance writing skills, preparing graduates for a variety of roles as historians, analysts, or educators. The program requires 30-33 credit hours and offers both a thesis track (Plan A) and a non-thesis track (Plan B). The thesis option is particularly recommended for students intending to pursue a Ph.D. in history, offering rigorous training in original historical research and scholarly writing. The non-thesis option provides flexibility for those aiming for careers in education, public history, or other fields requiring advanced historical knowledge without a full-length thesis. The program emphasizes close mentorship from the department's faculty, ensuring personalized attention and guidance for all graduate students.
Curriculum: The curriculum provides a strong foundation in historical methodology, theory, and diverse historical fields. Core courses typically include "Historiography" and a "Research Seminar in History," which could focus on North American, European, or World History. Students then select additional coursework, often including "Readings" courses in various historical periods (e.g., North American, European, World History) and other graduate-level history courses. The emphasis is on developing critical analytical skills, the ability to synthesize information, and effective written and oral communication. The curriculum allows students to focus on areas of interest within American and European history, and potentially other historical fields depending on faculty expertise.
Research Focus: The Department of History at USD boasts a strong research focus, with faculty members actively contributing to scholarship across a wide array of historical fields. Research interests include Imperial Russian history, Native American studies, U.S. foreign policy, religion, women and gender studies, and environmental history, among others. The program encourages graduate students to engage in unique and original research, with opportunities to present their findings at local and national conferences, such as the Northern Great Plains History Conference and regional Phi Alpha Theta Student History Conferences. This strong emphasis on original historical research and scholarly contribution distinguishes the program and prepares students for advanced academic pursuits or research-intensive professional roles.
Industry Engagement: While history programs may not have the same formalized "industry engagement" as business or STEM fields, the M.A. in History at USD prepares students for various professional applications. The program's focus on research, analytical thinking, and effective communication is highly valued across many sectors. Students gain practical experience through opportunities such as public history internships, which can involve working with museums, archives, or historic sites. The department also encourages students to participate in academic conferences, which serve as crucial networking opportunities and platforms for professional development within the historical community. The skills gained are directly transferable to roles in government, education, cultural institutions, and research-oriented positions.
Global Perspective: The M.A. in History at USD inherently embraces a global perspective by offering coursework in European and World History, alongside American history. Students explore diverse civilizations, historical events, and cultural values from ancient times to the present, fostering a comprehensive understanding of global historical trends and interconnectedness. Opportunities like participation in the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, for which USD is a corporate member, provide students with invaluable experiences in studying ancient Greece and its monuments, further broadening their international historical perspective. By studying history, students develop an understanding of how societies, institutions, and values have evolved across different global contexts, which is crucial for navigating an increasingly interconnected world.
Location
Vermillion, South Dakota
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 12800
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $38
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.
- PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
The University of South Dakota (USD) offers a variety of scholarship opportunities specifically designed to support international students in achieving their academic goals. These scholarships help reduce the financial burden of studying abroad and make quality education at USD more accessible to talented students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: USD awards merit-based scholarships to international students based on their academic achievements, leadership potential, and extracurricular involvement. These scholarships recognize outstanding high school or previous college performance and are renewable for multiple years, provided students maintain satisfactory academic progress.
International Student Academic Scholarships: These scholarships are specifically tailored for international undergraduate students and can cover a significant portion of tuition fees. Eligibility is typically based on a combination of academic excellence and the completion of the admission process by specified deadlines. Many of these scholarships are automatically considered upon application, so no separate application is required.
Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships: For international graduate students, USD provides graduate assistantships and fellowships that offer financial support alongside valuable professional experience. These opportunities often include tuition waivers and a stipend in exchange for research, teaching, or administrative work within the university.
Departmental Scholarships: Certain USD academic departments and colleges offer specialized scholarships for international students pursuing specific fields of study, such as business, health sciences, or fine arts. These scholarships often reward exceptional talent and dedication within those disciplines.
Graduates with an M.A. in History from the University of South Dakota (USD) acquire a distinctive set of highly transferable skills, including rigorous research, critical analysis, persuasive writing, and nuanced interpretation of complex information. These abilities are highly valued in a wide array of professional fields, extending far beyond traditional academia. While the number of dedicated "historian" positions is relatively small, the analytical and communicative competencies developed in an M.A. in History open doors to numerous career paths.
Archivist: Archivists play a crucial role in preserving and organizing historical documents, photographs, and other artifacts. They make these materials accessible for research and public use, working in government agencies, universities, museums, or corporate archives.
Museum Curator/Collections Manager: These professionals are responsible for developing, maintaining, and interpreting museum collections. Curators research and design exhibits, manage conservation efforts, and engage with the public, drawing heavily on their historical knowledge and research skills.
Historian (Public/Government/Corporate): Beyond academia, historians are employed by various entities to conduct research, write reports, and provide historical context. This can include government agencies (e.g., National Park Service, military), historical societies, non-profits, or even corporations for internal historical projects or brand storytelling.
Research Analyst: The advanced research and analytical skills honed in a history M.A. are invaluable for roles as research analysts in diverse sectors. This could involve market research, policy analysis for think tanks or government bodies, or competitive intelligence for businesses.
Educator (Secondary/Community College): Many M.A. in History graduates pursue careers as secondary school history teachers or instructors at community colleges. The program provides the subject matter expertise and pedagogical understanding necessary to effectively teach history.
Librarian (Special Collections/Reference): With their expertise in research and information organization, history graduates can work in specialized library roles, particularly in archives, special collections, or as reference librarians assisting researchers.
Writer/Editor: The strong writing and critical thinking skills developed in an M.A. in History are excellent preparation for careers as writers or editors. This could include historical non-fiction, journalism, technical writing, content creation for educational platforms, or publishing.
Historic Preservation Specialist: These professionals work to protect and conserve historical buildings, sites, and cultural landscapes. They apply historical knowledge to assess significance, develop preservation plans, and ensure compliance with preservation laws.
Policy Analyst: Historians' ability to understand context, identify trends, and analyze long-term impacts is highly valuable in public policy. Policy Analysts use historical data to inform current policy decisions in government agencies, non-profits, or advocacy groups.
Genealogist: While often pursued independently, professional genealogists use historical research methods to trace family histories for clients, often working with archival records, census data, and other historical documents.
