Master of Arts in American History and Government

MAHG Program

A content-focused master's program designed for secondary school social studies teachers

If you are like most social studies teachers, you received training in the methods of effective teacher and classroom management as an undergraduate in a college of education. But, how much time were you able to spend studying the substance of what you teach? How many courses did you take on the actual topics you teach each day, topics like the American founding, the causes and effects of the Civil War, or the role of the progressive movement in shaping the modern United States?

As an educator considering graduate studies, you probably have many master's programs in educational methods available to you at local universities or through distance learning.  But, what if you want to study the people, events, and ideas that shaped the United States, or the the origins and structure of the American political system?  Pursuing a degree in history or political science would likely require you to give up working and perhaps relocate in order to pursue your studies full time.  For most teachers, this is impractical or impossible.

Ashland University's Master of Arts program in American History and Government (MAHG) was designed to address the need of social studies teachers for rigorous graduate-level study in the content of history and government. Offered on a unique schedule of weeklong summer seminars in a traditional classroom setting and live, interactive web-based videoconference courses, each course in the program focuses on the study and interpretation of the materials from which we build our understanding of the past: original historical documents.

  • Hybrid online and summer program
  • Focused solely on the study of history and government
  • Appropriate for social studies teachers, community college faculty, and others with a personal or professional interest in history or government
  • Can be completed in as few as 15 months of full-time study or 27 months of part-time study
  • A distinguished faculty of scholars including both the full-time faculty of Ashland's Department of History and Political Science as well as visiting professors from other universities around the nation
  • Requires a total of 32 semester credit hours, including
    • 12 semester hour required core covering the breadth of the American experience, from the revolution to the twentieth century
    • 20 semester hours of elective coursework, permitting students the flexibility to customize their course of study around their personal interests or professional needs, including courses focused on historical periods and themes, the branches of government, and more
  • Traditional thesis, applied capstone project, or qualifying exam completion options

Charges

Per Course

Per Sem Hour
Tuition and Fees - On-Campus $1156 $587
Room and Board - On-Campus $475
Tuition and Fees - Online $848 $424

With 50:50 split between online and on-campus courses, the cost of your MA in American History and Goverment will total around $21,500. This figure includes tuition, mandatory fees, room and board for your on-campus studies, and estimated books and materials costs.

Ashland University participates in the federal direct student loan program. Installment payment plans are available, allowing students to spread out the cost of tuition in equal payments across an entire semester. 

MAHG - An Inside Look

What sets MAHG apart from many programs are our summer residential courses. Unlike the experience you will get in an online or commuter program, MAHG's convenient weeklong summer courses make it possible to immerse yourself in your studies, free from the distractions of home. Listen as MAHG students and faculty reflect upon their experiences and explain why this program is the best option for a social studies teacher who aims to be the best.

Admissions

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and new students may commence their studies at any of ten starting dates throughout the year: August, October, January, March, and every few weeks during the summer. To apply, please submit:

  • An application for admission
  • Original, official transcripts from each institution at which you have earned a degree at the bachelor's level or higher
  • A $30 application fee

In most cases, you can expect a decision from us within two weeks of receiving all your application materials. 

Take your first course tuition-free

All new degree-seeking students receive a waiver of tuition for their first weeklong on-campus summer course. Not sure if MAHG is for you? Come out and try it for yourself. Once you experience the difference that on-campus study makes, we think you'll stick around. Don't worry. There's no obligation on your part. You won't have to pay us back if you don't continue in the program.

Apply for a Scholarship

We know that higher education poses a financial challenge to many prospective students. We can help get you closer to your academic goals with one of our graduate fellowships. Learn more about available aid and apply today.

MAHG student study group

MAHG's unique weeklong summer courses add an important dimension to the graduate school experience. While fully-online asynchronous programs may offer convenience, they don't provide the same collegiality that develops when students meet face to face as peers. The study groups and friendships that develop during the summer on-campus experience carry over to online courses, making web conference discussions that much more personal and meaningful. Our convenient weeklong format provides the perfect compromise, enriching the student learning experience without disrupting personal or professional responsibilities.

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