The History M.A. prepares students for success in an array of professional and academic careers. By choosing one of three specialized tracks, students can pursue their passion for the past while developing their critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills. The traditional history track offers students a broad survey of American and European history. In this track, students hone their research and writing skills through archival inquiry as they develop a unique piece of scholarship. The public history track is designed for students with a strong interest in applying historical research and knowledge to address a variety of contemporary needs, issues, and audiences. Through coursework and applied experiences, students in this track develop theoretical frameworks and foundational competencies and complete internships in one of the region’s many cultural institutions. Students in the interdisciplinary maritime and coastal history track, draw on UWF's strength in maritime, coastal, and Atlantic history and heritage studies. In this interdisciplinary track, students complete coursework in history and anthropology while having the opportunity to complete academic and applied internships that increase opportunities for professional employment or Ph.D. studies.

Students in the master’s program may also earn a certificate in Historic Preservation. The certificate program in historic preservation requires the completion of 19 semester hours (sh) at the master’s level. It is geared towards individuals interested in acquiring a general focus in the field of historic preservation and current practitioners in the field who wish to add a historic preservation certification to their academic or professional credentials. Contact the department for information concerning the certificate.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the University graduate admission requirements described in the Admissions section of the catalog, the applicant must meet the following minimum departmental admission requirements for regular admission:

• Submission of letter of intent
• Submission of a writing sample (undergraduate research paper preferred)
• Minimum of 15 semester hours of upper-division history courses
• Minimum of two letters of recommendation

The department reserves the right to admit conditionally an applicant who meets most but not all of the above requirements. This is done upon the recommendation of the Graduate Committee and under the conditions set by that Committee and the Chair of the Department. A student admitted conditionally must complete all requirements of that admission, including the required “Foundational Proficiencies,” before starting the graduate program. Students accepted without the 15 semester hours of prerequisite work will be required to correct the deficiency before taking graduate-level courses.

Program Requirements

The full-time graduate student should expect to spend a minimum of three semesters at UWF to earn a degree.

With the approval of the Department Chair and the Graduate Committee, a maximum of 6 sh of history graduate coursework can be transferred from another institution or be taken while in a non-degree status at UWF. Such courses must be completed with a grade of “B” or better.

A student must earn at least a “B-” in each graduate course taken at UWF to receive credit for that course and an overall 3.0 GPA for all courses in the program. A student must complete graduate work within five years. A student may petition for an extension of the five-year rule if circumstances do not permit completion of the requirement.

Foundational Proficiencies

Students must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in 15 semester hours of upper-division coursework. Students accepted without the 15 semester-hour prerequisite will be required to correct the deficiency before taking graduate-level courses.

Course Requirements

History Track

Public History Track

Maritime and Coastal History Track

Historic Preservation Certificate

Department: History

Method of Instruction: Classroom

Semester Hours: 19

The Historic Preservation Certificate Program allows students to acquire the advanced skills and knowledge necessary to function as professionals in a wide variety of fields pertaining to historic preservation and cultural resource management in the United States. They gain expertise through courses in their chosen majors but advance those skills through the certificate program.  

Foundational Proficiencies

The certificate is designed primarily for students who are currently enrolled in or have completed an MA degree in History or Historical Archaeology, or who meet the program admission standards for the MA Programs in History or Anthropology. An applicant not currently enrolled in one of the History M.A. programs or the Archaeology tracks of the Anthropology M.A. program must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in 15 semester hours of upper-level history courses. Students not enrolled in one of these programs and accepted without the 15 semester hours of prerequisite work may be required to correct the deficiency before taking graduate-level courses.