History (MA/MS)
Inspire future generations by equipping them with an understanding of history.
Preserve the Past. Pursue the Future.
Take a closer look at the past through our graduate program. From the Americas, Europe, the Pacific World and beyond, our flexible program lets you research what interests you. Our faculty's diverse specialties span across continents and centuries, offering a well-rounded, comprehensive curriculum. No matter your professional goals, we're here to support you along the way. We teach our students how to think critically and write well, two skills employers often look for. Earning your master's degree in history opens doors in academia, nonprofit, education and government.
Careers
Become an engaged citizen and respected employee. Our graduate program prepares you for careers in museums, archives, nonprofit, education and beyond.
Career Possibilities and Current Median Salaries
US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2022
See Yourself Succeed with a Degree In History
Dedicated Faculty
Engage with exceptional faculty who will challenge your understanding of history. Our professors will teach you how to interpret the past and apply your knowledge to the present.
Cultivate Your Imagination
Choose from a wide variety of electives that explore the human experience across space and time. From Food in World History to Urban Underworlds and African American History, you’ll find courses that interest you.
Explore the Past at A&M-Commerce
The Special Collections at Waters Library houses a wide assortment of archival records related to Northeast Texas. As a history student, you'll have access to these records for historical research.
Career Readiness
Thinking critically and communicating effectively. That's what employers are looking for. The College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts is dedicated to providing you the knowledge and resources for excelling in the workforce.
what you will learn
A master’s degree in history will offer you the opportunity to:
- Engage in discussions with peers and professors
- Gain advanced knowledge in historical interpretation and theory
- Learn how to present compelling arguments in academic papers
- Participate in conferences and panel discussions
- Conduct historical research
Focus Your Passion
The Department of History offers two different tracks towards earning your master's degree. Discover what option works best for your career interest and research goals.
Thesis (MA/MS History)
Interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in History? Our thesis track prepares you for the road ahead. Work alongside faculty as you conduct historical research and write a thesis. We offer access to a wide collection of historical journals, databases and archival records.
Total credit hours: 36
Non-thesis (MA/MS History)
Earn your master’s degree in history with our non-thesis track. Designed for educators and working professionals, this track provides a well-rounded historical education. Completing the non-thesis track opens doors to careers in higher education, nonprofit, education, museums and much more.
Total credit hours: 36
Study What Interests You
Graduate Certificates
Earn a certificate as part of your graduate curriculum. Certificates recognize your skills and expand job opportunities.
Public History Graduate Certificate
This certificate helps you develop specific skills related to public history. The practical, theoretical and analytical training provided in the certificate program will enhance your ability to compete for jobs in museums, historical societies, cultural resource centers, parks and historic preservation.
Teaching History Graduate Certificate
You can become a certified early college or dual credit instructor with our Teaching History graduate certificate. Local school districts continue to expand their offerings of early college and dual credit history courses. There is a growing need for qualified teachers who can meet this need.
Faculty Spotlight
Funding your Master’s Degree
Receive up to three years of funding by becoming a Graduate Assistant for the Department of History. Both Graduate Assistants for Research (GARs) and Graduate Assistants for Teaching (GATs) serve a vital role in supporting history faculty. Once you complete 18 hours of graduate coursework, GATs are eligible to develop and teach university-level history classes. You'll work with faculty supervisors as they guide, encourage and evaluate your progress.
Internship opportunities
Internship experience provides the foundation employers are often looking for. Graduates earning their Public History certificate are required to complete an internship as part of their curriculum. We encourage all students to pursue internship experience when available. These are just a few of the employers and organizations that offer opportunities to graduate students.
Course Delivery
Designed for full-time students and working professionals, our flexible program offers synchronous online and in-person courses at the main campus location. All courses meet once a week in the evenings. You can take courses over the summer or during the fall and spring semesters.
Please check the schedule of classes for locations and times. Locations and times are subject to change.
Student Profiles
Student Organizations
A&M-Commerce proudly hosts the Eta-Beta chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the National Honors Society for History. Phi Alpha Theta promotes research, teaching and publication to increase awareness and knowledge about history. The Eta-Beta chapter provides history students an academic community and professional development opportunities. The organization strives to bring our university's students and teachers together for intellectual and social exchanges related to the field and profession of history. Learn more about membership requirements by contacting Dr. Mylynka Cardona, Phi Alpha Theta Faculty Advisor.
Graduate Program Cost
PROGRAM COSTS
Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,669 for Texas residents and $7,341 for non-residents.
Admission
Your Path to Becoming a Lion
- Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
- Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”
- Select “History, MA or History, MS” as your “Major.”
Domestic Application Fee 395064
- Pay the $50 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Provisional Status
After you submit your application, you may be granted provisional status, which means you can enroll in one semester of courses. You will not be eligible for financial aid until you submit all of your documents and are accepted into the program.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to your graduate coordinator unless otherwise specified below.
Graduate Coordinator Rebecca Stevens 395100
Your Graduate Coordinator
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to your graduate coordinator.
- We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accepts evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
- If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
- If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.
Describe your preparation for graduate work and your academic interests and goals in no more than 500 words.
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
- Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
- Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Graduate Enrollment Specialist Jennifer Faunce
Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist
Deadlines
- Fall admission consideration: May 10
- Spring admission consideration: October 15
- Summer admission consideration: March 15
Applicants must have a completed admissions file by May 10 for fall consideration.
- Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
- Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”
- Select “History, MA or History, MS” as your “Major.”
International Application Fee
- Pay the $75 application fee
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to your graduate coordinator unless otherwise specified below.
Graduate Coordinator Rebecca Stevens 395100
Your Graduate Coordinator
- Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce, Texas 75428
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accept evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
- If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
- If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
Describe your preparation for graduate work, your academic interests, and goals in no more than 500 words.
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
You do not need to submit test scores if you have completed (all years) of a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited university in the United States.
Request that your scores from one of the following be sent to Texas A&M University-Commerce:
- TOEFL (Minimum Scores: IBT 79, or CBT 213, or PBT 550)
- IELTS (Minimum Score: 6.00 band overall)
- PTE (Minimum Score: 53 overall or higher)
- Duo Lingo (Minimum Score: 105)
*Scores must be less than two years old.
Submit these documents to the Office of International Programs once you have been admitted
- Official sponsor statement
- Bank statement from the sponsor with a balance of at least $26,025 USD which is less than 1 year old
See the Office of International Program's “Confirmation of Financial Resource” for more details.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Graduate Enrollment Specialist Jennifer Faunce
Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist
Featured Courses
WE ARE HERE TO HELP!
Contact Us
- Department of History
- 903.886.5226
- 903.468.3230
- [email protected]
- Ferguson Social Sciences Building, 111
