Hello, I have a question that I would like some advice on. Currently, I teach economics and history at a public school in Wisconsin. I am about to finish my second masters-a MsEd with 21 economics, sociology, and history credits. In short, I have no desire to get a PHD and, with the exception of random refresher courses and seminars, feel that my formal credentials as an educator are complete. At the same time, I have another 30 credits to go before I max out on our pay scale. Thus, I have decided to pursue a third MA in History with the intent of gaining the research and writing skills needed to do original historical features. My ultimate goal is to write short articles for local and regional publications. With that in mind, I have narrowed my search down to three choices: AMU, HUX, and WNMU. Which of these (if any) do you feel would best help me achieve my goals?
Hi T - You've been around long enough that I'm assuming you're aware that there are a bunch of threads on History degrees. The fact that you said that you've narrowed it down suggests that you've read all those old threads and are aware of the available programs (let's face it, there's not many). My advice is that you should eliminated the HUX degree because it's not really a degree in History. It's a Humanities degree with a concentration in History. The number of History courses that you take is the absolute minimum. Better to have a degree that says "History" if you want a degree in History. (Don't get me wrong, I think the HUX program is very good). I was going to give points to WNMU for being B&M but then I took them away because they don't have a women's soccer team. From there you go with 1) price and 2) delivery method. Good luck with your studies.
I've taken classes at both APU/AMU and WNMU. I like them both! For research credentials, I'd probably go with APU. They have courses in research methods and such, whereas WNMU does not. (At least I haven't seen them offered.) APU also has a good mix of classes, much more so than WNMU. Then again, because APU accepts so many transfer classes, you could feasibly find courses at WNMU and drop them into your APU program. -Matt
Kismet, For your next degree you should take the HUX degree - CSUDH has a good women's soccer team. Cal State Dominguez Hills Athletics
Hi Ian - Here's my next degree. Women's Professional Soccer :: Women's Professional Soccer :: Boston Breakers
Of course real women play rugby WomenEagles.com - The Fan Website for the US Women's National Rugby Team (sorry to diverge from the history topic)
I say go with AMU/APU. The classes aren't easy (i.e. you actually learn the material) and there are tons of great choices for electives. The other thing that made me choose AMU is that the courses are available on a pretty consistent basis. Most other programs were smaller programs where a specific class might not be offered every year. AMU usually offers every class you'd need every semester. At the end of this semester, I'll be over half done with my degree. So far, I'm really happy with my choice.
Ow! I'm a HUX graduate and I'm hurt! (Just messing with you, actually I don't entirely disagree with your point.) The CSUDH men's soccer team won the 2008 NCAA Division II national championship. That's gotta count for something. Regarding your serious point, Western New Mexico University's masters is an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies. It isn't a History masters either. Actually, I think that both of these masters degrees probably find their greatest utility as upgrade degrees for K-12 teachers, so they are kind of similar in that regard. http://www.wnmu.edu/VirtualCampus/index.html My own personal choice would probably be American Military University. If Templar already has two masters degrees, then he/she already has the interdisciplinary aspect covered. The goal now perhaps should be a bit more depth and specialization. AMU is the only one of these three that offers a real MA in History. It looks kind of interesting to my eye, with four concentrations: American History, Ancient and Classical History, European History and Global History. It offers the kind of classes that one would expect in a history MA, such as graduate historiography. http://www.amu.apus.edu/academic/programs/degree/1044/master%2Dof%2Darts%2Din%2Dhistory/1153/global%2Dhistory The argument for the interdisciplinary degrees might be that they would allow somebody to mix history classes with writing classes. But in HUX's case at least, the HUX English classes are kind of literary and might not be very helpful in that regard. I think that I'd still go with AMU. History, even written for popular history periodicals, has a style all its own. History graduate classes are all going to be very writing-intensive and AMU will probably give it students lots of feedback on how professional their writing seems, along with the historiography and research methods classes. They also allow students to create independent study classes, so it might be possible to read the professors' bios and link up with somebody who is involved in history writing and editing. Not only could Templar maybe craft a history class with a special writing emphasis that way, he or she could even end up with some useful contacts and recommendations.
AMU/APU also offers the MA in History with a Public History concentration. AMU Degree Program: Master of Arts in History-Practicum Option
Western Kentucky offers an online MA in History Online M.A. in History Austin Peay State online MA in Military History w/optional Security Studies Certificate Austin Peay State University Norwich University – MA in Military History Master of Arts in Military History – American (US) Military History Degree Online
I wsn't going to complicate things by suggesting other options when you have narrowed it down but seeing other folks have offered other avenues, I will. UNE - Humanities - Master of History This is the degree I am doing. It is totally at a distance and was actually designed for teachers but isn't restricted to them. UNE is very well known as a distance education university.
And they also offer an MA in Military History as well as the above. There used to be a sticky here with History program offerings. Not sure why it disappeared.
Here it is. I think there's probably more interest in this subject than MPH or Interdisciplinary prorams which both have stickies. http://forums.degreeinfo.com/distance-learning-discussions/30213-ma-history-question.html
I think the Interdisciplinary sticky should stay but MPH should be replaced by the MA in History thread.
I think this is why some threads are sticky and some aren't. We all can't come to an agreement. I thought we got more questions regarding History programs than MPH programs but I could be biased as I tend to read the History threads more often. Regardless, I'm sure Chip has a plan to sort it all out. I'm not worried about it.
I would recommend having stickies at the top for each popular subject (e.g. business, education, public health, history, engineering, etc.). IT already has a separate area on the site, so they're covered.
