Master of Arts in History

About

History is one of the oldest areas of human inquiry. And in the age of “alternative facts” and “fake news,” it is as vibrant and contested as it has ever been. In EWU’s Master of Arts in History program, you will tackle the tough questions that are heatedly debated among professional historians while obtaining mastery in a content area as well as exposure to the diverse ways history is professionally practiced today.

This program is designed to prepare students for pursuits requiring research and analysis. Students will select one of three concentrations. Some focus on advancing their teaching careers, some prepare for doctoral programs, while others train for archival, museum or other history-related work. Other avenues include cultural resource management, historic preservation, publishing, documentary film, and broadcasting.

For further information or questions, please contact Larry Cebula at lcebula@ewu.edu.

Apply Now

  1. Complete the university application process. You’ll be asked to:
    • Pay the $75 application fee
    • Submit official transcripts
    • Note: the GRE is not required for entrance into this program.
  2. Submit the following required materials to the graduate advisor, Larry Cebula, at lcebula@ewu.edu or a hardcopy to Patterson Hall 111G:
    • A substantial writing sample reflecting serious academic effort
    • A one-page personal statement on career plans and interest in pursuing graduate studies in history
    • Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic work or other experience relevant to historical training
  3. If applicable, complete and send the Graduate Student Assistantship application.

Application Due Dates

The Master of Arts in History Program accepts quarterly admission, excluding summer. The following due dates are for regular admission to the program:

  • April 15 for fall quarter
  • October 15 for winter quarter
  • February 15 for spring quarter

However, to be considered for a Graduate Student Assistantship, you must submit all application materials (including GSA application) by February 15.

Paying for School

A small number of graduate service appointments (GSAs) are available. GSAs work as either teaching assistants, who assist professors in the classroom; or in the Eastern Region Branch of the Washington State Archives (located on the Cheney campus), working with paper or digital archival collections or assisting the department’s public historian.

GSA positions provide a full-tuition waiver to residents of Washington state and a half-tuition waiver to non-residents, in addition to a modest monthly stipend. Most students interested in these positions have been able to receive them for at least one year of the program.

The Eastern Region Branch of the Washington State Archives also periodically offers paid positions. Paid internships are routinely available as well at several agencies in the area including the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture and the Northwest Room of the Spokane Public Library.

Accomplished Faculty

Work with professors who have established regional and national reputations for excellence in their fields.

Small class sizes and small cohorts enhance your experience. Receive close attention from advisors and professors. Our medium-sized department will enable you to study under a majority of the faculty, exposing you to different subject matter, teaching styles, theoretical frameworks, and research methods.

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First-Rate Research

In addition to the JFK Library, history students have access to research materials at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC), the first-in-the-world Washington State Digital Archives, and the Eastern Region Branch of the Washington State Archives. Students also have access to the archival and bibliographic collections of neighboring institutions including Gonzaga University, Whitworth University, and Washington State University – Spokane Campus.

Professional Opportunities

Have you ever wanted to explore a ghost town or abandoned cemetery with your professor? Present your research at a history conference in Mexico? Unearth ancient artifacts in Cyprus? Tour a national park with a ranger? EWU graduate students have enjoyed all of these adventures.

In addition to class field trips and study abroad opportunities, you will have access to internships in archives, libraries, historic preservation offices, and museums. Present your research at conferences. Engage in an active campus intellectual life with visiting scholars and special events—a moveable feast for the mind.

Vibrant Student Community

Professional internships and an active chapter of the history honor society Phi Alpha Theta provide students with opportunities and friendships.

Clubs & OrgsPhi Alpha Theta Facebook

Curriculum & Requirements

History, Master of Arts (MA)

General Requirements 

  • Admission to the graduate program.
  • No more than 11 credits of coursework may be taken at the 400–level.
  • Undergraduate EWU history courses included in a master’s program must be taught by the graduate faculty of the History Department. 

Students have a choice of three concentrations: Academic, General, or Public History.
The General concentration is taken in an online cohort model.

Grade Requirements: All courses included in the student’s graduate program must be completed with a grade ≥B. Students who receive a grade of <B more than once will be dropped from the History MA program.

Required Core Coursework for all concentrations
HIST 501INTRODUCTION TO HISTORICAL STUDIES5
Students must complete at least two graduate research seminars–choose from the following.10
BRITISH HISTORY
AMERICAN COLONIAL AND REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY
EXPLORATIONS IN DIGITAL HUMANITIES
CULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
HISTORICAL WRITING AND EDITING
EXPERIMENTAL COURSE
Students must complete at least four graduate readings seminars–choose from the following.20
FALL OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC
INTRODUCTION TO WORLD HISTORY
TOPICS IN GERMAN HISTORY
COMPARATIVE SOCIAL HISTORY
LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY
19TH CENTURY AMERICA
CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN HISTORY
HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN WEST
PUBLIC HISTORY
INTRODUCTION TO ARCHIVES
EXPERIMENTAL COURSE
Students must declare one of three graduate concentrations (academic, general or public history) Graduate concentrations have the same general and grade requirements as listed above, but differ in the following ways:10
Academic
Students must show competency in a research skill (e.g. a foreign language, GIS, oral history) to the satisfaction of their faculty advisor; complete a master’s thesis or a research report; and complete an oral examination during their final quarter of graduate study. This concentration will prepare students for the rigor of a PhD program, or simply give them the opportunity to do more focused research. Students will take 5–10 credits of HIST 600 or HIST 601.
General
The General concentration is taken in an online cohort model. Students must successfully complete a written examination and an oral examination demonstrating extensive knowledge in two fields during their final quarter of graduate study. This concentration does not require a project or thesis and is ideal for working teachers and other professionals who need a graduate degree to advance in their profession. Students will take 5 credits of electives at either the 400- 500-level and HIST 602.
Public History
This concentration will prepare students for careers outside the academy. Students must show competency in an research skill (e.g. digital history, GIS, oral history) to the satisfaction of their faculty advisor; students must complete HIST 542 and HIST 544; and either HIST 546 or HIST 548; and between 2 and 5 credits of HIST 694; and complete a portfolio of professional work and an oral examination during their final quarter of graduate study.
Total Credits45

Catalog Listing

Explore Alumni Stories
Logan Nilsson, '12
U.S. Department of State | “My public history education at EWU gave me a varied research and content creation skill-set that was applicable to many different positions.”
Tracy Rebstock, '12
Manager of the Southwest Regional Branch of the Washington State Archives | "Working on my public history degree at Eastern helped get me where I am today.”
Logan Camporeale, '17
Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture | Since graduation, I have been fortunate to engage with a variety of fun and unique growth opportunities.
Adrienne Sadlo, '17
National Park Service | “The knowledge, skills, friendships and mentors I attained at EWU became the foundation to a career with the National Park Service.”