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Indiana University Online

History, M.A.

By studying the past, we are better able to understand and communicate the importance of issues in our contemporary world. The IU Online Master of Arts in History is a flexible program where you’ll gain graduate-level historical knowledge, critical thinking skills, and much more to advance your career.

A tour guide explains something to a group of people in an historical house.

Program quick facts

Course Delivery

100% Online

Total Credits

30

Campuses Hosting

  • Bloomington
  • East
  • Indianapolis
  • Kokomo
  • Northwest
  • South Bend
  • Southeast

Degree Type

Master of Arts

A woman looks through a historic document in an archive.

Degree Overview

The IU Online Master of Arts in History explores geographic regions of the world in both modern and pre-modern time periods to identify historical actors, events of significance, and social movements.

Learn how to perform research and construct original historical arguments. Your studies will culminate in at least one semester-long research project of original scholarship.

You’ll graduate with an Indiana University degree respected by employers worldwide—and you can work on yours anytime and anywhere.

And the benefits start long before graduation. More than half of IU Online students advance in their careers before they complete their degree.

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

  1. A bachelor’s degree
  2. 3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA

To apply to this program, complete an online application that includes:

  • Official transcripts
  • 250-word personal statement explaining background and reasons for entering the program

Application dates

Fall semester: Aug 1

Spring semester: Jan 1

Summer session I: May 1

Summer session II: Jun 15

Your IU Online M.A. in History helps prepare you for such careers as:

  • General researcher
  • Writer or editor
  • Journalist or broadcaster
  • K-12 teacher
  • Library or museum worker

To earn the MA in History, you must complete 30 credit hours. Requirements are broken down as follows:

  • Core courses (9 credit hours)
  • Major courses (12 credit hours)
  • Minor courses (6 credit hours)
  • Additional research seminar or thesis (3 credit hours)

Core

Core Classes for the MA in History
Course Number Course Name Credits
HIST-T 510 Historical Methodology 3 Credits
HIST-T 570 Digital and Public History 3 Credits
HIST-T 590 Research Seminar in History 3 Credits

All students choose one of the following: 

Choose one of the following for the MA in History
Course Number Course Name Credits
An additional semester of HIST-T 590 Research Seminar in History 3 Credits
HIST-T 591 Research Seminar in Digital and Public History 3 Credits
HIST-T 592 Thesis 3 Credits

U.S. History Track

Choose four out of five courses below: 

U.S. History Track
Course Number Course Name Credits
HIST-T 520 Teaching College History 3 Credits
HIST-T 530 Early America, 1400-1800 3 Credits
HIST-T 540 The Long 19th Century, 1800-1917 3 Credits
HIST-T 550 Modern United States, 1917-Present 3 Credits
HIST-T 560 US and the World-Comparative History 3 Credits

World History Track

Choose four out of five courses below:

Course Number Course Name Credits
HIST-T 531 European History 3 Credits
HIST-T 541 Latin American History 3 Credits
HIST-T 551 Asian History 3 Credits
HIST-T 561 African History 3 Credits
HIST-T 571 World History 3 Credits

Find course descriptions with our Search Schedule of Classes/Courses tool.

Program cost information

Plan your finances

Program cost can vary by campus, resident status, and type of program. Use the resources below to get accurate cost estimates for your specific situation.

View cost by campus Estimate your expenses

Contact Student Financial Services at iuosfs@iu.edu for cost information.

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