Degree
M.A.
Program Type
Graduate
Have Questions?

Program Overview

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 Each course focuses on the study and interpretation of the original historical documents from which we build our understanding of the past.

Image
MAHG class
group
Delivery Format

Online
In Person

auto_stories
Credit Hours

32

hourglass_bottom
Time to Complete

15-27 months

attach_money
Tuition

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 cover each day, such as 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. But if you want to study the people, events and ideas that shaped the United States or the origins and structure of the American political system, choose the AU Master of Arts in American History and Government.

Image
MAHG lecture

Key Facts

  • 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
  • Completion in as few as 15 months of full-time study or 27 months of part-time study
  • Distinguished graduate faculty of scholars, including full-time AU history and political science faculty, as well as visiting professors from other universities across the nation
Image
MAHG students

Curriculum

Requires a total of 32 semester credit hours, including:

  • 12 semester hours of required core covering the breadth of the American experience from the revolution to the twentieth century
    Course # Title
    HIST/POLSC 501 The American Revolution
    HIST/POLSC 502 The American Founding
    HIST/POLSC 503 Sectionalism and Civil War
    HIST/POLSC 505 The Progressive Era
    HIST/POLSC 506 The Rise of Modern America
    HIST/POLSC 507 Lincoln
  • 20 semester hours of elective coursework, providing the flexibility to customize your course of study around your personal interests or professional needs
  • Traditional thesis, applied capstone project or qualifying exam options

View the Academic Catalog for complete degree requirements.

Tuition

Charges Per Course Per Semester Hour
Tuition and Fees - On-Campus $1,348 $674
Room and Board - On-Campus $475 - $675  
Tuition and Fees - Online $1008 $504

The total cost of the M.A. degree program depends upon a variety of factors, including the length of time you need to complete the program, whether you require room and board during the summer semester and the delivery method of courses. The total cost of the degree program may range from $16,000 to $26,000.

Payment plans are available that allow you to spread out the cost of tuition in equal payments across an entire semester and AU participates in the federal direct student loan program.

An Inside Look

Ashland's MAHG is distinct from other graduate programs because of its summer residential courses. Unlike the experience you will receive 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 on their experiences and explain why this program is the best option for social studies teachers who strive for academic excellence.

MAHG's unique weeklong summer courses add an important dimension to the graduate school experience. While fully-online asynchronous programs may offer convenience, they do not provide the same collegiality that develops when students meet face to face.

The study groups and friendships that develop during the summer on-campus experience carry over to online courses, making web conference discussions  much more personal and meaningful. Our convenient weeklong format provides the perfect compromise, enriching the student learning experience without disrupting personal or professional responsibilities.

Image
MAHG students
 
 

Admissions

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and new students may begin their studies at any of 10 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 where you’ve 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 of 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 try it out! Once you experience the difference that on-campus study makes, we think you'll stick around. Don't worry–there is no obligation on your part and you won't have to pay us back if you don't continue in the program.

Apply for a Fellowship

We know that higher education poses a financial challenge to many prospective students. We can help with one of our graduate fellowships and you can apply today.

Can You Give Me a Glimpse of My Future?

With a Master of Arts in American History and Government degree, you'll delve deeply into the rich tapestry of American history, gaining insights into the pivotal events, individuals, and ideologies that have shaped the nation. Through rigorous analysis of historical documents and honing your argumentative skills, you'll be equipped to interpret and present historical narratives with clarity and depth. Whether pursuing a career in education as a social studies teacher or community college faculty, or venturing into other professional avenues within the field, you'll find yourself well-prepared to make a meaningful impact. Additionally, you'll become part of a vibrant alumni network, connecting with fellow enthusiasts who share your passion and offering valuable support and opportunities for growth.

Contact Information

Charles Martindell
Graduate Programs Resource Manager; Master of Arts in American History and Government
220 Dwight Schar College of Education