M.Ed. in Special Education
Mississippi College, located in Clinton, Mississippi, offers a comprehensive Master of ...
M.A. in History
Clinton, Mississippi
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.A. in History at Mississippi College is structured to cultivate strong skills in close reading, clear writing, and critical thinking about historical events. It emphasizes the importance of historical methods and historiography, preparing students not just to consume history but to actively engage with its interpretation and research. The program offers both a thesis and a non-thesis option, providing flexibility for students with different academic and career aspirations. For those seeking to teach at the K-12 level with an upgraded Mississippi Class AA Standard Educator License, the program also offers a specific track that integrates professional education courses.
Curriculum: The 30-credit-hour curriculum for the M.A. in History is comprehensive. For the thesis option, students typically complete 24 semester hours of history graduate work, including "Historical Research & Methodology" (3 hours), and 6 hours dedicated to "Thesis I" and "Thesis II." The non-thesis option also requires 30 semester hours of graduate-level history coursework, including "Historical Research & Methodology," but replaces the thesis hours with additional coursework. Students will also typically select from colloquia covering various periods of U.S. history (e.g., Colonial and Revolutionary America, Civil War to Present). For those pursuing the Class AA Standard Educator License, the program includes 18 hours of history graduate work, 6 hours of thesis, and 6 hours of graduate Education courses such as "Research – Methods and Procedures" and "Curriculum Development." All M.A. candidates must undergo written and oral comprehensive examinations, with the oral exam for thesis students including a defense of their thesis.
Research Focus: The M.A. in History at Mississippi College has a strong research focus, particularly for students who choose the thesis option. The core course "Historical Research & Methodology" is fundamental, equipping students with the tools and techniques for conducting scholarly historical research. The thesis component requires students to undertake original research, develop a sustained argument based on primary and secondary sources, and present their findings in a formal academic work. Even for the non-thesis option, the program emphasizes critical engagement with historical evidence and historiography. Faculty members are active scholars who publish and present at conferences, providing students with mentorship in research and scholarly endeavors. The program aims to train students to "uncover and analyze details from the past," signifying a commitment to rigorous historical inquiry.
Industry Engagement: The M.A. in History program at Mississippi College engages with various "industries" by developing highly transferable skills that are valued in diverse professional settings. While it directly prepares individuals for careers in education, particularly K-12 and community college teaching, the analytical, research, writing, and critical thinking skills honed in the program are highly sought after in fields such as government, archives, museums, cultural heritage, journalism, and non-profit organizations. Faculty members, as accomplished teachers and productive scholars, provide students with insights into various career paths. The program also supports pathways for those considering further academic pursuits like a Ph.D., demonstrating its engagement with the broader academic "industry."
Global Perspective: The M.A. in History program at Mississippi College inherently offers a global perspective through its comprehensive study of historical events and developments. While specific course availability might vary, history programs typically encompass a wide range of geographical and chronological areas, allowing students to explore global themes, interconnected histories, and diverse cultural narratives. The study of history itself is a global endeavor, examining how societies and civilizations interact and influence one another across time and space. Mississippi College's broader institutional commitment to a diverse learning environment, including international students, further enriches classroom discussions with varied cultural viewpoints, preparing graduates to understand and contribute to an increasingly interconnected globalized world.
Location
Clinton, Mississippi
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 13856
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $40
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 52 or higher.
Mississippi College is making quality education affordable for students from around the world. To support this goal, the college offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically for international students, helping to reduce the overall cost of tuition and living expenses.
Merit-Based Scholarships: International students with strong academic records are eligible for merit-based scholarships. These awards are determined by evaluating high school GPA (or equivalent), standardized test scores (such as SAT or ACT), and other academic achievements. The scholarship amount varies, with awards ranging from partial to significant tuition discounts, which are renewable based on academic performance.
Presidential and Dean’s Scholarships: Highly qualified international students may receive Presidential or Dean’s Scholarships, two of the most prestigious awards offered by Mississippi College. These scholarships are based on exceptional academic credentials and leadership potential and can cover a substantial portion of tuition costs.
A Master of Arts (M.A.) in History from Mississippi College provides graduates with advanced skills in research, critical thinking, analysis, and effective communication, making them highly versatile for a variety of professional fields.
Historian (Public or Academic): While a Ph.D. is typically required for tenure-track university positions, an M.A. can lead to roles as a historian in government agencies, historical societies, or research institutions. Public historians might work on documentaries, exhibits, or community outreach programs.
Archivist: Professionals who preserve, organize, and manage historical documents, photographs, digital records, and artifacts for future access. They work in libraries, museums, universities, government agencies, and corporations.
Museum Curator/Collections Manager: In museums and historical sites, curators research and interpret collections, design exhibitions, and develop educational programs to engage the public with historical narratives and artifacts.
Librarian (Academic/Special Collections): With strong research and organizational skills, history M.A. graduates are well-suited for roles in academic libraries, particularly in special collections or archives, assisting researchers and managing historical resources. Additional library science qualifications might be beneficial or required.
Educator (Community College/K-12): Graduates are well-prepared to teach history at community colleges as adjunct or full-time instructors. For K-12, the M.A. program can help current teachers achieve an upgraded teaching license (Class AA in Mississippi) or prepare aspiring teachers for secondary education roles.
Journalist/Content Creator (Historical/Investigative): The rigorous research, analytical, and writing skills honed in an M.A. in History are invaluable for journalism, especially for investigative reporting, historical features, or documentary production, where accuracy and contextual understanding are paramount.
Policy Analyst/Researcher (Government/Non-profit): Apply historical insights to current events and policy issues. Graduates can work for government agencies, think tanks, or non-profit organizations, researching historical precedents and their implications for contemporary policy decisions.
Genealogist: Conduct in-depth research into family histories for individuals or organizations, requiring meticulous attention to historical records, demographic data, and social history.
Cultural Resource Manager/Preservationist: Work to identify, evaluate, protect, and interpret historical and archaeological sites. This can involve roles with government agencies, cultural heritage organizations, or private consulting firms specializing in historic preservation.
Foreign Service Officer/International Relations Specialist: A deep understanding of history, particularly international history and political developments, can be an excellent foundation for careers in diplomacy, foreign service, or international organizations, where understanding global historical contexts is crucial.
