M.A. Specialization in American History

The MA concentration in American History is an ideal program for students looking to continue their studies beyond the undergraduate level. We offer a flexible curriculum, providing detailed training in historical methods and research. Faculty expertise extends chronologically from the colonial era to the present day, with particular expertise in the American Revolution, Early Republic, and Civil War eras. Thematically, the department has experts in urban history, social history, women's history, African-American history, and political history.

The MA in American History offers courses that can be taken in a blended format, with the opportunity to take many courses online. We have considerable experience training teachers seeking continuing professional development, recent graduates seeking more detailed training in research and writing, and professional workers seeking to develop research skills. Students have graduated from our MA program into numerous PhD programs across the country.

Interested in learning more? Email us to set up an appointment to speak with faculty, current students, and recent alumni about the program.

Courses and Curriculum

Visit the UIS Catalog listing for the American History MA concentration for course requirements.

Admissions

We have a rolling deadline, with an option to begin classes in the Fall or Spring. For students seeking funding, we recommend applications be completed by March 1.

Funding

MA applicants are frequent recipients graduate funding offers through Graduate Assistantships and the Graduate Public Service Internship Program. Both programs offer tuition waivers (in-state and out-of-state) and hourly stipends.

• Graduate Assistantships: Assistantships in UIS departments and offices provide monthly stipends during the contract period. Assistants are eligible to receive a tuition and service fee waiver (this includes the activity fee, the intercollegiate athletic fee, the Career Center fee, and up to 8 credit hours of the Health Service fee) for qualifying course work. General fees and course fees are not waived. Assistants are entitled to a maximum of 30 credit hours of tuition waived during the academic year (includes fall, spring, and summer semesters). Application deadline: March 15.

• Graduate Public Service Internship Program: GPSI is ranked as one of Illinois’ premier governmental internship programs. For over 45 years this program has provided top-flight graduate students with a high quality graduate education, real world experience, and lifelong networking connections. Recent GPSI locations for History students have included: Illinois State Historic Preservation Office, State Historic Sites of Springfield, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Department of Revenue, and the Illinois Art-in-Architecture Program. Positions include a monthly stipend, tuition waivers, and professional development funding. Application deadline: March 15.