Design a Degree that Fits Your Goals

As History M.A. Students at Virginia Tech, we choose from three concentrations.

MA in History

  • Graduate with a degree in two years. With a two-year degree graduates are well grounded in historical content through coursework and develop strong research and writing skills by designing an original research project, usually a thesis
  • Small classes and individualized guidance for student-inspired research projects
  • Combination of required courses, electives, and research credits to complete 33 credit hours for graduation (Please consult “Courses” for detailed information and a sample plan of study)
  • Interdisciplinarity is a core value of our MA degree. We encourage students to engage with the interdisciplinary graduate programs affiliated with the History Department including ASPECT (Alliance for Social, Political, Ethical, and Cultural Thought), STS (Science and Technology Studies), Women’s and Gender Studies, Africana Studies, and Material Culture and Public Humanities.

MA in History with Public History Certificate

  • Earn a graduate certificate in public history while completing requirements for the MA
    • Public History courses can satisfy both History MA and certificate requirements
    • The certificate requires six additional credit hours (2 courses) of 39 credits
    • All certificate students complete an internship as part of the course requirements
  • One graduate public history course is offered each semester
  • Faculty strengths in digital history and oral history
  • Design a specialized “Public History Thesis” with both a research and outreach component
  • More information is available at the Public History Program website: www.vtpublichistory.org. This site was designed and is maintained by VT public history students.

Education Dual-Degree Program

  • Designed for students interested in a teaching career
    • Graduate with two Master’s degrees (MA in History and MA in Curriculum and Instruction) with VA Teaching Licensure
  • Dual enrollment in History and the graduate licensure program in Social Studies is required.
    • Students must meet requirements for admission and graduation in both programs.
  • Double count up to 15 credits
  • Funding is available for two years, while completing the requirements for the MA in History.

More Information

  • Current students, please consult the program’s “Standards and Policies Manual” for more details
  • Prospective Students should consult Courses to see sample plans of study
  • See the Virginia Tech Master of Arts in History webpage
  • For general information on Graduate Life at Virginia Tech, check out the Virginia Tech Graduate School Website