Teaching Concentration

Catalog Year: 2023-2024

Banner Code: LA-MA-HIST-HS4

The faculty in the Master of Arts in History program are at the forefront of traditional historical study, digital approaches to the past, and applied history. Students select from a variety of course topics while also selecting an area of historical specialization that accommodates their interests and furthers their career objectives. Students come to the program with diverse career objectives, and the program is designed with that diversity in mind. Students take classes in which they discuss history alongside future academics, public historians, teachers, military officers, non-profit professionals, government officials, entrepreneurs, and future academics.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 36

Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.

Students pursuing this degree must complete the requirements for a concentration. 

Concentration in Teaching (HS4)

This concentration offers students interested in a career in secondary education the option to devote part of their History MA to graduate coursework that can be applied toward the requirements for licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Students who have an interest in obtaining licensure to teach should meet with a pre-Education advisor in the College Of Education and Human Development at the beginning of their program to create a plan for completion of the required content-coursework prerequisites (Endorsements). You can view information here: https://cehd.gmu.edu/endorse/ or contact the Pre-Education Advising Coordinator at endorse@gmu.edu. Students seeking licensure must also enroll in the Secondary Education Licensure Graduate Certificate (E1-CERG-SELC), a state-approved educator preparation program. Upon completion of the discipline-specific content competencies coursework; the MA in History, concentration in teaching; and the Secondary Education Licensure Graduate Certificate, students will be eligible for recommendation for an initial teaching license in Secondary Education History and Social Science.

Required Course

HIST 610 The Study and Writing of History 1 3
Total Credits 3
1

Must be taken within the first 9 credits. 

History

Select five courses in history, at least one course each from U.S., European, and world history 15
Total Credits 15

Research Seminar

HIST 797 Research Seminar in History 3
Total Credits 3

College of Education and Human Development Graduate Courses

SEED 567 Teaching Social Studies in the Secondary School 3
SEED 522 Foundations of Secondary Education 3
EDRD 619 Disciplinary Literacy 3
SEED 540 Human Development and Learning: Secondary Education 3
SEED 667 Advanced Methods of Teaching Social Sciences in the Secondary School 3
Total Credits 15