Degree Programs

Degree Programs

Resources | Financial Support | Advisors
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Bachelor of Arts in History
The Department of History offers a 124 credit hour B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) degree, which includes 39 credit hours in History. The Department offers courses covering a broad range of topics with general, cultural and educational value. The B.A. in History introduces the students to the full spectrum, development and inter-connection of civilizations in all parts of the world, so that they may participate intelligently in the public life of a democracy which has global responsibilities. Students may choose an emphasis on American, European or World History. The B.A. in History program promotes excellence in expository and narrative writing, scholarly research, and such essential skills as analysis, synthesis and interpretation of historical evidence. This degree also advances students toward a variety of professional careers.  In particular, the B.A. in history provides an excellent background for those students wishing to go on to law school.

The B.A. in History may be combined with a minor, such as the inter-disciplinary minor in African-American Studies (21 credit hours), Women and Gender Studies or a specific History or non-history minor (18 credit hours) in a number of areas such as English, Journalism, or Political Science.

Career Opportunities
A B.A. degree in history offers a variety of possibilities both for further studies and professional goals. It is highly recommended for those seeking a well-founded background in the humanities. It prepares the student for graduate studies in History for a potential career in higher education (university or community college). It also provides excellent training for further studies in such fields as law, journalism, theology, library education, museum and archives; in local, state, and national public service; in business, where a knowledge of domestic and foreign affairs is desirable; and in many other areas which require well-developed critical faculties and general understanding of human activity and concerns.
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Bachelor of Science in Education - Social Science
The Department of History and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences offer a 129 credit hour (including 46 credit hours of General Education, 47 History/ Social Science and 33 Professional Education requirements) Bachelor of Science in Education with a Major in Social Science (B.S.E.) degree. The B.S.E. degree with a Major in Social Science is rooted in a solid core of history and social sciences, along with teacher education experience leading to initial secondary teaching. A semester of teaching internship provides a capstone to the program in which students effectively demonstrate the integration of the theoretical concepts of education with superior knowledge and skills acquired from rigorous academic disciplines in a practical teaching experience.

Career Opportunities
The B.S.E. degree provides many career opportunities. Secondary History/Social Studies teaching is the primary career choice for most B.S.E. majors.  However, many choose to further their education with a Master of Arts in History degree and a Specialist Degree in Community College Teaching, resulting in a career in community college or junior college teaching. Some graduates teach history in the secondary schools for some years and then choose to pursue a career in educational leadership or curriculum and instruction. Some others opt for employment opportunities with the State Department of Education as social studies specialists based in the regional education cooperatives.
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Master of Arts in History
The Department of History offers a 30-credit hour Master of Arts (M.A.) program. The department provides a wide range of courses in U.S., European and World History. The submission of a thesis is optional.

Career Opportunities
A graduate degree in History offers a variety of possibilities both for further studies and for immediate careers. The M.A. degree in History prepares a student to pursue a terminal Ph.D. degree or a law degree. Our students have been accepted for doctoral studies at many prestigious universities. The M.A. degree provides excellent training for such fields as law, journalism, theology, library science, community and junior college teaching, government service and business.
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Master of Arts in History with Global History Emphasis
The Department of History at Arkansas State University offers a MA with emphasis in Global History.  The program is intended to respond to the growing need for teachers at both the High School and Community College level who are trained in the "New World History."  The proliferation of Global history courses at both the High School and College levels, and the introduction of the new World History AP exam, has created a need for teachers at both levels with training not just in non-Western history, but also with an understanding of the main themes and approaches that the best world historians are bringing to their research and teaching.  In addition to course work and the option to write a thesis, students in the program have the opportunity to teach a section of World History under the supervision of a professor.  Students who intend to pursue a Ph.D. will also find that this program prepares them to do further graduate study.

Career Opportunities
An M.A. degree in History with emphasis on Global Studies prepares the student for a career in teaching at the secondary or junior college level.  It also is an excellent preparation for Ph.D. work.  In addition, the emphasis on the relations between western and non-western cultures will be of great benefit in the global society of today in a wide variety of non-educational positions.
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Master of Arts in History with Public History Emphasis
The Department of History offers a 30 credit hour Master of Arts (M.A.) with emphasis on Public History. The student is required to take 12 hours of U.S. History, 12 hours of Public History and 6 hours of Thesis or Internship. Those who did not take the Practice of History as undergraduates, will have to take this course on a graduate level for additional credit hours. The Department will allow up to 15 hours of earned graduate credit hours to holders of an M.A. in History degree from Arkansas State University or up to 6 credit hours from another institution.

Career Opportunities
A M.A. degree in History with emphasis on Public History offers a variety of possibilities both for further studies and professional goals. It prepares students for careers in the diverse and growing field of Public History, which includes museums, archives, national, state and local heritage parks, federal agencies, and the private sector. For those seeking advanced degrees, they may consider additional training and study within the framework of the proposed inter-disciplinary Ph.D. degree in Heritage Studies at Arkansas State University, which includes a Public History track.
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Master of Science Education - History Education
The Department of History offers a 30-credit hour  Master of Science in History/Social Science Education (M.S.E.).  The M.S.E. degree is combines a solid core of History and Social Science courses with 9 credit hours in Education.

Career Opportunities
A graduate degree in History offers a variety of possibilities both for further studies and for immediate careers. The M.A. degree in History prepares a student to pursue a terminal Ph.D. degree or a law degree. Our students have been accepted for doctoral studies at many prestigious universities. The M.A. degree provides excellent training for such fields as law, journalism, theology, library science, community and junior college teaching, government service and business. Those who focus on Public History may find a variety of career opportunities in museums, archives, national and state parks, and other non-traditional fields requiring a significant amount of historical expertise. M.S.E. graduates find rewarding careers in teaching and administration in public and private secondary schools.
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Available History Minors

Minor in History
Minor in African-American Studies
Minor in Medieval Studies
Minor in Modern European Studies
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History Department Resources
The Department of History enjoys the services of a superbly trained, very experienced, thoroughly professional, well-published, and diverse faculty. Several members of the faculty have extensive international experience through study, teaching, lecturing and travel.  Others have practical experience as public school teachers.

The mission of the faculty is to train students to become thoroughly familiar with the pedagogical, scholarly and publishing dimensions of the historical profession and teaching profession. Students benefit from a low student-to-faculty ratio, ready access to advisors and professors and a collegial and courteous environment. Finally, graduate assistants are mentored in pedagogical methods and may be permitted to teach a class during their final semester of study.

The classrooms, as well as the departmental, faculty and graduate-assistants offices are easily accessible. Graduate students and assistants have direct access to computers and related technologies. The University provides direct access to the internet and various resources, such as the Dean B. Ellis Library's on-line catalog and databases.  Our classrooms offer computer assisted learning environments.  The department has a state-of-the-art digital video lab for documentary making and students will have access to an in-department computer lab for both in-class and out-of-class use.
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Financial Support
Students may apply for various University scholarships and financial support including Graduate Assistantships that are granted by the Department of History. Graduate assistantships also include an out-of-state tuition waiver.  The Department of History also grants annually several modest scholarships for meritorious B.A. and B.S.E. degree candidates.
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Additional Information
For additional information, contact a Department of History advisor:
B.A. Advisors
Dr. Cherisse Jones-Branch
Dr. Phyllis Pobst
Dr. LaQuita Saunders

B.S.E. Advisors
Dr. Gary Edwards
Dr. Gina Hogue
Dr. Joseph Key

Graduate Advisor
Dr. Erik Gilbert