Sample Graduate School Program

Sample Graduate School Program |

Howard’s graduate program in African-American History is ranked third in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

The Master of Arts (MA) in History at Howard’s College of Arts and Sciences, prepares students to pursue a doctorate or a career in education, public history, archives administration, law, public affairs, or research in the public and private sectors. The MA in History is noted for its strengths in regional, traditional, transnational, and comparative historical study.

The program is defined by a spirit of collaborative inquiry and students benefit from the close mentorship of faculty. Our graduate faculty is notable for its wide-ranging research in the areas of social, economic, intellectual, and cultural history of the African diaspora as well as transnational, urban, and gender history. MA in History students may specialize in six distinct subfields: United States, African-American, African, African Diaspora, Latin American and Caribbean, or Public history.

Students shape their course of study and pursue original research in a chosen subfield, sharpening their analytical skills. Students may select between the thesis or non-thesis program of study which requires the completion of a seminar paper. Students also benefit from quick access to the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and the Smithsonian, located just ten minutes away from Howard’s campus, and can draw on extensive archival collections, library resources, and coursework across our regional academic consortium.

Program Snapshot 

  • 4-6 semesters to degree completion 
  • 30 credit hours
  • Full-time
  • On campus format

Admissions Information 

  • Application deadlines:
  • Fall entry only 
  • Fall entry deadline: 
  • January 15, 2022
  • Hard deadline with rolling admissions decisions 
Online GradCAS Application View Additional Program Info Print Program Details

Program Details

  • Program Type: Major

Program Documents

Admission Requirements

  • Online GradCAS application 
  • Statement of purpose/ Statement of academic interest (500-1,000 words)
  • Critical writing sample of best academic research or historical analysis 
  • GRE scores not required
  • Official transcripts sent to GradCAS
  • 3 letters of recommendation
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution 
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae 
  • Autobiographical statement (500-750 words)

GRE Preferred Minimums 

  • GRE Verbal Reasoning
    • N/A
  • GRE Quantitative Reasoning
    • N/A
  • GRE Analytical Writing
    • N/A

GPA Required Minimums 

  • Overall GPA Minimum 
    • 3.0 
  • Undergrad GPA Minimum 
    • N/A

Reference Requirements 

  • Evaluator type accepted
    • Professor (Required)
    • Supervisor/Manager 
  • Evaluator type not accepted 
    • Friend 
    • Family Member 
    • Coworker 
    • Clergy 
    • Other