The MA degree in history provides a broad base for teaching excellence, a platform for studies leading to
the Ph.D., and skills for professions in public history, government, law, business
and many more public and private sectors. Students in the MA program have the freedom
to choose most of their courses. There are only 2 required courses and among the other
8 courses required, students may choose graduate History courses, or with the graduate
coordinator’s permission, up to 2 related field courses, internships, independent
studies, study abroad courses, or up to 2 transfer courses. Students may earn their
MA in history by completing either a thesis or non-thesis option. The non-thesis option
offers students more content courses as background for their own teaching, further
academic work, or personal enrichment. The thesis option offers students the opportunity
to conduct original research on the Master's level. MA graduates from the West Chester
program have gone on to a variety of Ph.D. programs in the United States and abroad.
For course descriptions, see the Graduate Catalog.
Graduate history courses at WCU enhance the ability of students to:
1. Refine and deepen content knowledge of historical eras, change over time, and
key historical concepts.
2. Understand, analyze, and synthesize major historiographic themes and debates.
3. Refine and deepen understanding and application of current research methodologies
in history, including theory, historiography, interdisciplinary approaches, and analyses
of primary and secondary sources.
4. Connect historical and historiographic knowledge to broader contexts and audiences.
5. Communicate knowledge of history at a professional level in reasoned arguments
supported by historical evidence and an appreciation of multiple causes, effects,
and perspectives.
The Department of History offers four 3-credit graduate assistantships each academic
year (3 in History and 1 in Holocaust and Genocide Studies). Graduate Assistants (GAs)
work five hours per week, for which they receive three hours tuition remission and
a $1,250 stipend. Graduate assistants' duties vary based on their skills (language,
technology…) and interests. These duties may include tutoring undergraduates in general
education courses or working with professors on scholarly projects. Through e-mail,
the graduate coordinators request applications for Graduate Assistantships each April
for the following academic year.
The variety of classes in the masters program allowed me to expand my content knowledge
and skills in the classroom. I helped design a website for the Great Migration with
Drs. Hardy and Smucker, which I use in my AP U.S. History class, and I wrote an essay
which compares and contrasts propaganda in World War I and World War II, which I use
in my Honors U.S. History class. – John Hashagen
The internships available through WCU, including my internship at the American Helicopter
Museum and Education Center, have provided students with invaluable experience working
in the public arena. I feel very fortunate to have an opportunity to work closely
with experts in the field of Public History while helping to develop an archive rich
in content and with ease of accessibility to the public. – Suzanne Irvin
WCU helped me find my passion in public history through their internship program.
I interned as a research assistant at the William Brinton 1704 House and as a historic
building interpreter at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum. These experiences opened
my eyes to the many opportunities outside of academia that one can do with a History
degree. At Landis Valley, I volunteer with the historical interpretation department
still, and have found a love in the collections department. I took these experiences
and moved onto pursuing a Master’s in Library and Information Science. – Thomas Stocker
The MA History program at West Chester University enabled me to read widely in my
area of interest and allowed me to gain valuable experience tutoring undergraduates
as a graduate assistant. My professors supported my decision to pursue an unorthodox
master's thesis project and provided guidance at every phase of the PhD application
process. All of these things have proven crucial to my intellectual and professional
development and have prepared me well for my first year as a doctoral student [at
Boston College]. – Nick Quadrini
The Department of History requires a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) in history and
a 2.75 overall GPA for admission to its graduate program. Students whose undergraduate
degree is not in History should have at least taken survey-level sequences in U.S.
and World/Western Civilization. The application package should contain 1) a statement
of professional goals, 2) a writing sample (with footnotes/endnotes) of no less than
eight pages on a historical topic, 3) two letters of recommendation, preferably academic,
4) a current curriculum vitae (or resume) and 5) transcripts from previous academic
institutions.
The department is willing to admit applicants who do not meet the above criteria on
a provisional basis. Students so admitted may then apply for full-degree candidacy
upon completion of 12-18 semester hours of applicable course work with at least a
3.0 GPA.
For application materials, contact the The Graduate School. For further information about the history graduate programs contact Professor Elizabeth
Urban, Coordinator of the Graduate School, Department of History, (e-mail EUrban@wcupa.edu or telephone 610-436-2541).
