Master of Arts in History
Department
Department of History and Political Science
College
Office of Graduate Studies and the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Overview of the program
The MA in History program prepares students for (1) doctoral studies in History, (2) careers in history, law, and other disciplines that require knowledge of how the past affects the present and future, (3) teaching, government service, and business, and (4) a wide variety of fields that utilize creativity, critical thinking, professional reading and writing skills, and—very importantly—the ability to adapt and continue learning in a rapidly changing world. A history degree teaches students to read intelligently, think analytically, write clearly, accurately assess past trends, rationally predict future developments, and understand the real world. Thus, it is preparation for virtually any job!
The MA in History requires 36 credit hours with a Thesis Option, Non-Thesis Option, or Public History Option. Students in the Thesis and Non-Thesis Options take graduate seminars in Historical Research, American History, British History, European History, Louisiana History, Southern History, and Western Thought. Students in the Public History Option take courses in Historical Research, American History, Public History, and the Public History Internship as well as electives in other areas.
Graduate students may pursue a 6-hour minor in Philosophy or Political Science.
Currently Social Studies Teachers may earn the M.A. in History tuition-free under the auspices of the department’s Teaching American History Grant program (for more information, see http://www.lpb.org/education/tah/ or e-mail hips@selu.edu).
Strengths of the program
- The Department of History and Political Science has 25 full-time faculty members and
over 400 majors. Faculty have won awards for excellence in teaching, research, and
service; produced a host of scholarly publications, many of which have attracted an
international readership; and held important offices in professional organizations.
- The Department is closely affiliated with the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies,
the Florida Parishes Social Science Research Center, and the Turtle Cove Environmental
Research Station.
- The Department sponsors the 'Then and Now' Fanfare History and Politics Lecture Series
and other events during Fanfare, a month-long celebration of the Arts, Humanities,
and Sciences held annually at Southeastern in October, and the Black History and Politics
Lecture Series, part of the University's annual observance of Black History Month
in February.
- The Department co-sponsors Women's History Month in March; the Arts and Sciences Colloquium
in April; the Matheny Lectures on Science and Religion in April; the Deep Delta Civil
War Symposium in June; and the annual James. H. Morrison Lecture on Politics and Government.
- The Department currently administers a $1 million U.S. Department of Education Teaching
American History Grant for improving the quality of Social Studies teachers in a fourteen-parish
area.
- The Department hosts the Region VIII Social Studies Fair in March.
- Almost 100% of the graduates of the MA program since 1990 have obtained jobs related to their course of study or admission into further graduate study.
Preparing for a job in the program
The Master of Arts in History teaches students to read intelligently, think analytically, write clearly, accurately assess past trends, rationally predict future developments, and understand the real world.
Good preparation at the high-school level should include courses in American history, world history, civics, and geography; four years of English, math, and science; a foreign language; and as much reading and writing as possible! Good preparation at the undergraduate college level includes survey courses in American history, western civilization or world history, and political science; at least 12 hours of English and 12 hours of a foreign language; a broad range of upper-level courses in history; and more reading and writing!
Careers in the program
- Archives
- Business
- Communication
- Diplomacy
- Genealogy
- Government
- Historian
- Historical fiction
- Historical parks
- Intelligence
- Journalism
- Law
- Military
- Movies
- Museums
- Politics
- Preservation
- Professor
- Public relations
- Publishing
- Radio
- Re-enacting
- Research
- Restoration
- Schoolteacher
- Television
- Tourism
- Many others!
Starting Salaries after completing the program (estimates only)
$35,000 and above
Campus organizations and activities affiliated with the program
- History Club
- Phi Alpha Theta (History Honor Society)
Related fields that might interest you
- Anthropology
- Communication
- Economics
- English
- Foreign languages and literatures
- Geography
- Political science
- Psychology
- Sociology
How do I know this is the degree for me?
Common Strengths and interests of students in the program
Helpful qualities for history majors at the graduate level include a desire to understand how history works and how the study of history relates to present-day concerns; the love for reading, studying, and watching films about history; an interest in developing a deeper knowledge of history and historiography; and an ability and willingness to conduct original research in primary sources.
Notable Alumni
Wayne Brumfield, Vice-President for Student Affairs, University of Louisiana at Monroe
Megan Dee, Pharmaceutical Sales, Pfizer
Patrick Hotard, Curator, Jefferson Davis Home (Beauvoir), Long Beach, Mississippi
Stephen Michot, Head, Department of History and Social Sciences, Nichols State University
Reginald Span, Ph.D. Candidate, Tulane University
Contact Information
Office of Graduate Studies
SLU Box 10809
Hammond, LA 70402
On Campus:Mead Hall, Room 103
Telephone: 985-549-2103
Fax: 985-549-3605
E-mail: gradschool@selu.edu
Department of History and Political Science
SLU 10895
Hammond, LA 70402
On Campus: Fayard Hall, Room 335
Telephone: 985-549-2109
Fax: 985-549-2012
E-mail: hips@selu.edu
