The Department of History offers a Master of Arts degree that prepares competent graduates for modern careers in business, government, teaching, non-profit work, and further graduate study in history, law, library science, or business. The program offers an introduction to the major debates and cutting-edge topics in the field while also providing education in most major regions and periods in global history. Students select from a broad variety of courses, with the ability to emphasize a particular geographic region or time period through electives. Completion of the degree requires either an examination to assure mastery in the field or a written thesis to demonstrate the student’s research expertise. The degree requires a minimum of 30 credit hours. (Learn More)
Program Highlights
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The Department's academic offerings reflect the diversity of the faculty, and students are encouraged to sample broadly the course offerings that investigate the histories of societies and cultures from across the globe.
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The M.A. program also offers many varied options to expand one’s horizons beyond the required number of classroom courses, including individualized independent studies on focused topics, original thesis research, and practical, hands-on work experience.
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The Department offers possibilities for study abroad courses with ODU faculty over spring and summer breaks.
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Internships in museums, at historical and archaeological sites, and libraries offer real-world practice and networking possibilities for later employment.
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Students have many opportunities to build strong relationships with professors in courses with low student-faculty ratios and through the examination option, where each student works closely with our faculty to develop their historical knowledge.
Careers
Check out these ideas from ODU's Center for Career & Leadership Development and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Teach students in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies at the secondary level in public or private schools. May be designated according to subject matter specialty.
History Teachers, Postsecondary
Teach courses in human history and historiography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Curators
Administer collections, such as artwork, collectibles, historic items, or scientific specimens of museums or other institutions. May conduct instructional, research, or public service activities of institution.
Historians
Research, analyze, record, and interpret the past as recorded in sources, such as government and institutional records, newspapers and other periodicals, photographs, interviews, films, electronic media, and unpublished manuscripts, such as personal diaries and letters.
Requirements
Cost of Attendance
We believe in providing students with transparent and accessible information about the cost of attendance.
Review the estimated tuition rates for the 2024-25 academic year (subject to change). Non-resident rates are charged for anyone who is not a current Virginia resident, including international students.
Ways to Fund Your Degree
There are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending Old Dominion University, including scholarships, assistantships, and student loans. For more details about financial aid at Old Dominion, visit the Financial Aid Office page.
Harriet W. ('69) and Burl Fisher Endowed Scholarship in History
Extremely well-qualified graduate students may receive scholarship funding to support educational needs. This scholarship is awarded to graduate students who have already completed at least one semester of full-time study.
Teaching Assistant
The Department offers Teaching Assistant positions that provide a stipend while giving graduate students experience in teaching and grading coursework for undergraduates. Teaching Assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis. There are also a limited number of tuition remission awards and academic scholarships awarded annually to high-achieving students.
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