Undergraduates learn history is more than names and dates. In our graduate program, we will deepen your understanding even further. If you’ve ever wondered about the fate of the Anasazi or the history of Mexican-American relations, our History MA might just satisfy your curiosity. We will help you clarify your understanding of human behavior—past, present, and future. You will also explore the interaction of global forces and local processes.
Learn to think critically, develop research skills, and communicate more effectively. Our regional location will give you opportunities to learn about the area in-depth: Native American and Latino history with a focus on the American West, the Southwest, and US-Mexico Borderlands are our specialties. At the same time, you will become much more than only area specialist; our program’s broad theoretical orientation will provide you with a sound introduction to cutting-edge theoretical and historiographical approaches to the study of the subject.
To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.
You must additionally complete:
Read the full policy here.
In addition to University Requirements:
| Minimum Units for Completion | 36 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Optional |
| Thesis | Thesis may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Comprehensive Exam | Comprehensive Exam may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Oral Defense | Oral Defense may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Foreign Language | A foreign language may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Research | Individualized research may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Progression Plan Link | View Program of Study |
Purpose Statement
The M.A. in History offers a close professor-student relationship and is designed to prepare students to pursue a variety of academic, career, and personal interests. These may include preparation for doctoral or other post-graduate degrees, teaching, public history, and public service. While maintaining a strength in the American West and the U.S.-Mexico Border, the M.A. in History encourages students to approach the study of history from a global and comparative context. There are four options: research thesis; research project with public history; extended coursework; and extended coursework with public history.
Each student will select a primary and a secondary field for in-depth examination and analysis from the following concentrations: Colonialism & Nationalism; Environment & Health; Gender & Sexuality; Global & Comparative History; Race, Class & Ethnicity; Indigenous Peoples & Native Americans; Asia; Europe; Latin America; United States; North American Borderlands & the West.
In addition, students may select Public History as their secondary field, which refers to the application of history to real-world issues, typically making a historical topic accessible to a non-academic public. This track prepares students for professional positions in archives, museums, humanities councils, and governmental agencies, etc.
Student Learning Outcomes
All students graduating with the M.A. will:
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
This degree consists of 18-21 units of core and 15-18 units of track requirements.
Take the following 18 - 21 units of core requirements:
Students must have an approved thesis prospectus or public history project prospectus by the end of their third semester or will be diverted to the Extended Coursework Track or the Extended Coursework with Public History Track.
Select one of the following options (15-18 units):
Research, Research with Public History, Extended Coursework, or Extended Coursework with Public History (Select One):
Depending on your research interest, your committee may require you to demonstrate competence in a foreign language before you register for thesis units.
Research Project with Public History Track (18 units)
You must complete HIS 602 with a grade of "B" or better, before enrolling in HIS 699. Be aware that you may end up taking more than the 3 units you can count toward your degree because you must enroll each semester while you work on your thesis.
Extended Coursework Track (15-18 units)
You must pass a comprehensive final examination covering the courses taken. The comprehensive exam will have written and oral components, and will be structured by the program committee.
Extended Coursework with Public History Track (15-18 units)
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.