Department of History

history.appstate.edu

Jason White, Chair
whitejc3@appstate.edu

Bruce Stewart, Graduate Program Director
stewartbe1@appstate.edu

The Department of History’s Master of Arts program offers students advanced work in history and public history, including museum studies and historic preservation. Students prepare for careers in museums, historic sites, high school teaching, archives, community college teaching, historical consulting, state parks, government and publishing, among others, or for Ph.D. programs.

Students in all tracks conduct original research, improve their critical thinking and analytical skills, learn to create arguments based on a variety of sources, and will be able to present their conclusions in writing, in personal presentations, and for scholarly, government and public audiences. They also develop career-specific skills, especially in public history.

The program offers the following concentrations and graduate minor:

General History Concentration - This is our most traditional and flexible degree. Students take a variety of readings and research seminars, and can focus on their own historical research interests in a thesis.
Historic Preservation Concentration - Historic preservation students learn by doing to preserve, protect and promote historic places and spaces. Preservationists work with private groups, local, state and federal governments to help communities understand and celebrate their entire past.
Museum Studies Concentration - Museum studies students learn by doing to educate, curate and manage history in a museum setting. Museum professionals engage with and educate the public about many historical times and places.
Public History Concentration - Public history students can choose from a variety of courses to build up the skill set required for their desired career in the public sphere. In addition to preservation and museum courses, we offer courses in archives, oral history, grant writing and digital history.
Teaching Concentration - Students take a variety of readings and research seminars, as well as courses in pedagogy, to prepare them for teaching at the high school or community college level.
Graduate Minor in History - This minor consists of 8-12 semester hours selected from HIS graduate course offerings, except HIS 5989.

Programs

Master of Arts

Graduate Minor

History Graduate Minor

Courses

History