What you will study
UCM’s History master’s degree program delves into the historiography of topics in
U.S. and global history, looking not only at events but also at how historians through
the ages have interpreted them.
Whether you take classes remotely or on our Warrensburg campus, you’ll engage with
your peers in small, lively graduate seminars and embark on your own independent research.
Your ultimate course of study will be determined by which of the three tracks you
choose to earn your Master of Arts in History from UCM:
- Pre-doctoral track: Prepare for a doctorate degree in history by working closely with a faculty advisor
to complete a thesis based upon original research.
- Applied public history track: The project-based courses in this track are ideal for students building a career in
one of the many fields that need history specialists, such as museums and historical
sites. You’ll complete your MA in History degree with an internship and a public history
project.
- Enrichment track: Intensive historical study over five seminars and a choice of electives prepare you
for a comprehensive exam. With no thesis or capstone project, this track is ideal
for educators and professionals seeking to advance their careers and gain historical
perspective on their fields.
National Standards
- UCM’s 100% employment rate for graduates with a Master of Arts in History reflects
the respect our program has earned over the course of more than 60 years — and the
career preparation we provide to today’s students competing in the marketplace.
Unique learning opportunities for the Master of Arts in History
Like all the best history master’s programs, the University of Central Missouri centers
around student learning and personalized attention. Both our online and in-person
courses focus on experiential learning, giving you the opportunity to engage deeply
with the material.
UCM’s hands-on learning approach prepares you for your history career in any specialization.
Choose from a range of opportunities suited to your chosen track within the History
graduate degree program:
- Research (pre-doctoral track): Conduct in-depth research while working with your faculty advisor to develop your
History master’s degree thesis. Use original sources to spark complex re-imaginings
of historical narratives and present your work to fellow scholars at conferences.
- Internships (applied public history track): Internships give you the chance to gain real experience building and delivering historical
presentations to the public. Past History master’s degree students have interned at
high-profile locations such as the Truman Presidential Library, Knob Noster State
Park and the Missouri State Archives.
- Go digital (all tracks): Contribute to future-focused projects like Historic Missouri, a free mobile app developed by UCM History students and faculty that provides interpretive and curated narrative tours about Missouri’s history.
- Student organizations (all tracks): Join the UCM History Club and build lasting connections with your peers in our graduate degree program through
history-themed events and trips to historic sites. Get to know fellow historians around
the country as you attend conventions, build leadership experience as invited members
to UCM's chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the history national history honor society. Community-building and professional
development activities are offered both in person and online.
What you can do with a History graduate degree from UCM?
UCM’s Master of Arts in History degree program prepares graduates in each track for
a wide range of professions. You’ll be able step onto the path of your choosing with
confidence earned from our student-centered teaching, small class sizes and personal
career advising.
Many graduates come into the UCM History graduate degree program as secondary school
teachers. Earning a History master’s degree prepares our graduate students to teach
dual credit and other advanced high school classes, expanding their job opportunities.
100% of the University of Central Missouri’s MA in History degree students are employed
in a related field within six months of graduation.
Learn more about MA in History jobs
Earning your master’s degree in History demonstrates well-developed critical-thinking,
analytical and communication skills — all traits that are in high demand in the job
market. Use our interactive tool below to explore employment and salary trends for
job candidates with a History master’s degree.
Financial assistance options for your History master’s degree
The University of Central Missouri is committed to providing an affordable, high-quality
education. The best history master’s programs should increase your earning potential,
not weigh you down with debt. As a History master’s degree student at UCM, you can
expect low tuition rates and ample university-wide resources to help finance your college education.
You may also be eligible for program-specific funds, such as:
- Twomey Graduate Scholarship
Use the UCM Scholarship Finder to learn more about program-specific scholarships.
Intern With High-Profile Locations
UCM is a proud Missouri State Archives partner
Engage in an on-campus internship in partnership with the Missouri State Archives.
Our students have also landed competitive internships at noteworthy locations that
specialize in archival and records administration, museum studies and historic preservation and state and national parks service and cultural resource management.
Learn From Leaders in the Field
Expert faculty mentorship
History graduate degree students benefit from small class sizes and mentoring. UCM’s
History faculty have authored dozens of books and articles with leading presses. They
can guide you knowledgeably through your own research and provide invaluable insights
into the working realities of the discipline today.
A Program With History
Offering an MA in History for over 60 years
Join the generations of scholars who have used their UCM History master’s degree to
craft fulfilling careers in examining the complexities of the past. Since its founding
in 1871, the University of Central Missouri has maintained its reputation for combining
quality academics with practical, hands-on training that equips our students for success
in the real world.
Meet Anna F.
MA in History student
“The History department helped cater to my individual needs to make sure I could be
the best version of myself as a professional. I feel so much more prepared for a career
in the field, more developed as a writer and researcher and more confident in my abilities
to do anything I put my mind to.”
Meet Bethany R.
MA in History ’17
“I learned a variety of practical skills, including a greater understanding of research,
resource management and the importance of shared authority. The teaching methods and
my internship at the Truman Presidential Library provided multiple options for me
to apply to the workforce. UCM’s MA in History program provided a fantastic environment
for engaged and applied learning.”
Designed to Support Your Goals — and Schedule
Online, in-person and hybrid options available
UCM strives to offer one of the best History master’s programs for working professionals.
With three degree tracks and remote learning and scheduling options that include evening
classes and summer courses, you can earn your History master’s degree in a way that
complements your lifestyle rather than complicating it.
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Pre-Doctoral Track
The Pre-Doctoral track will prepare you for a Ph.D. program in history. You will have
the opportunity to work closely with a faculty advisor on your thesis and complete
a comprehensive exam and a thesis in this track. Careers include
- Teaching and research at the university or college level
- Private and public sector research and grant writing
Applied Public History Track
The Applied Public History track will prepare you for a variety of diverse career
paths in public history. This track features many hands-on learning opportunities
and project-driven courses. The program culminates in an internship with places such
as Knob Noster State Park and the Missouri State Archives. To graduate, you will be required to complete an internship and a public history project,
as well as a comprehensive exam. Careers include
- Archival and records administration
- Museum studies and historic preservation
- Park service and cultural resource management
Enrichment Track
The Enrichment track is designed for secondary school educators who wish to enrich
their knowledge of history so as to improve their classroom experience. This track
focuses on more intensive study of historical fields with additional seminars. This
track is ideal if you want to study history for intellectual self-fulfillment, to
improve your teaching techniques, or for other vocational reasons. It requires at
least four seminars and a comprehensive exam to graduate, but no thesis or capstone
project. Careers include
- Secondary and post-secondary education
- Law and state and federal government
- Business: Tourism, Insurance, Publishing, Marketing or Research
Admissions Information
| Start making history with the University of Central Missouri |
Admission Requirements
In general, we look for History, MA applicants with the following:
- Minimum overall grade point average of 2.75
- Minimum grade point average of 3.0 in at least 20 hours of undergraduate history courses
History Graduate Handbook
Learn about scheduling an interniew, online orientation and more with the History Graduate Handbook.
