Masters in Early American History

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

With a Masters in History one could teach history in middle or high school, or teach at the community college level. Other possibilities would be to work in a museum as a curator or an archivist. Some colleges allow Masters recipients to teach 100-200 level classes.

Oh, I forgot that a lot of states require a Masters to teach high school.

I think I'm confused by the idea of seeking out a specific scholar, because I'm surprised that professors would care that much about their Masters students. Perhaps history is different from my experience on the other side of the subject spectrum.

[ColdInCanada11]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Oh, I forgot that a lot of states require a Masters to teach high school.

I think I'm confused by the idea of seeking out a specific scholar, because I'm surprised that professors would care that much about their Masters students. Perhaps history is different from my experience on the other side of the subject spectrum.

The logic in history is that this person will be training you as a historian, so you should be training with someone in the same subfield as you. There are so many different methodologies that come into play that will greatly affect the type of scholarship that someone is producing (which I don't know is true to the same extent in science). Example: I focus on early Irish history. Within that field I look at culture. Why would I bother to study with an early Irish historian who primarily focuses on gender instead of a cultural historian? A historian of gender uses a much different "set of tools" than a cultural historian does.

Also, it proves that you have done your research. In your statement of intent, you have very little space to clearly state why you are an excellent fit for both the program and the school. If your only reason is, "the program/professor looks at the same time and area", you didn't do enough research and probably shouldn't look into grad school. That extends to the girl that honeychile spoke of, if I'm being honest. She should not have had to ask someone outside of history where she should be studying. If you have to, you are not ready for grad school in history.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by ColdInCanada11

The logic in history is that this person will be training you as a historian, so you should be training with someone in the same subfield as you. There are so many different methodologies that come into play that will greatly affect the type of scholarship that someone is producing (which I don't know is true to the same extent in science). Example: I focus on early Irish history. Within that field I look at culture. Why would I bother to study with an early Irish historian who primarily focuses on gender instead of a cultural historian? A historian of gender uses a much different "set of tools" than a cultural historian does.

Also, it proves that you have done your research. In your statement of intent, you have very little space to clearly state why you are an excellent fit for both the program and the school. If your only reason is, "the program/professor looks at the same time and area", you didn't do enough research and probably shouldn't look into grad school. That extends to the girl that honeychile spoke of, if I'm being honest. She should not have had to ask someone outside of history where she should be studying. If you have to, you are not ready for grad school in history.

Got it. I think one big difference is that, even though it's a masters program, you are talking about producing real research. Many, many masters programs are now all coursework, in the sciences and elsewhere.

[ColdInCanada11]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Got it. I think one big difference is that, even though it's a masters program, you are talking about producing real research. Many, many masters programs are now all coursework, in the sciences and elsewhere.

Coming from the sciences, I can definitely understand how it looks weird! For most history MA, even if they are a "course" MA, a very large component is still research!

[honeychile]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! My friend is very impressed with all of the information & advice she's getting from you all.

She's currently teaching at a private school, while she decides about furthering her education, so teaching history wouldn't be beyond the pale. I also see her as a researcher in one field or another, once she gets into the program - and possibly going for her PhD eventually. I admire her tenacity tremendously, and she will accomplish whatever she decides to do!

Sadly, there wasn't a Greek system where she got her undergraduate degree, or she would have been a serious rush crush! She's interested in being a Greek, though, but I'm not sure if any of the NPC sororities bid grad students (drat the luck!).

In the meantime, keep the responses coming!