The study of history is a fascinating pursuit, allowing students to gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the social and cultural forces that have shaped and molded various cultures. Pursuing such study at the graduate level is especially stimulating and even those who only complete a Masters Degree in History often find themselves well-prepared for a number of professions. The following schools offer strong masters programs, with excellent job preparation and rigorous academic work
University of Rochester
The Masters Program in History at teh University of Rochester primarily prepares students to undertake careers as professional historians, although the training they provide can also be useful in other professions such as government agencies. The program allows students to focus in one of three areas of study: American, European, and Global history, and there are a number of strong faculty that can offer guidance and rigorous instruction. A number of financial aid opportunities are available to tsudents, including fellowships and assistantships.
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Featuring a mixture of classes and resources from five different institutions, including Amherst and Smith Colleges and several others, the Masters Program in History at the University of Massachusetts features a strong and rigorous curriculum and a small student to faculty ratio, ensuring that students get to work closely with their chosen faculty. Students in the program have the opportunity to focus on one of several core areas, especially the history of the United States, Latin America, and Europe, as well as an acclaimed program in Public History. Financial aid is available for highly qualified candidates.
Boston College
The Masters Program in History at Boston College combines small class size with flexibility, allowing students a great deal of openness when designing their course of study. Students in the program also have access to a number of nearby academic resources, including Brandeis University, Boston University, and Tufts University. The program has particular strengths in a number of areas, including British and Irish history, medieval history, the history of the United States, and European history. Unfortunately, this program does not offer a great deal of funding to masters students, so those interested in this institution should seek outside funding in order to finance their studies.
University of Connecticut
The History Masters Program at the University of Connecticut prepares its students for a number of careers and tracks, ranging from future doctoral study to careers in government and public policy. There is a strong focus on close work between faculty and students, and a number of areas of focus are available, including United States, Latin American, Ancient, European, and Asian histories. Although financial aid is not usually available for masters students, those interested in the program can typically fund their study through application to various outside funding sources such as grants and loans.
Regardless of which school one chooses, the pursuit of a Masters Degree in History is not to be taken lightly, as graduate study frequently requires a great deal of hard work and effort. Nevertheless, there are numerous job opportunities available for someone holding such a degree, so it is certainly a worthwhile investment in the future.
