Master's in History: Education Emphasis
Prepare to Teach History to Students at the Undergraduate Level
The Master of Arts (MA) in History with an Emphasis in Education is a blend of history content and pedagogical knowledge. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Grand Canyon University offers this master’s in history with an emphasis in education for aspiring history professors who wish to work with students at the undergraduate level. Prepare to share your passion for delving into historical events, people, cultures and trends, and inspire postsecondary students to think critically about the world around them.
This master’s degree in history with an education emphasis can be an ideal choice for individuals who are passionate about history and feel drawn to a teaching position. You will explore major historical events, themes and movements through the lens of cultural, military, economic and political perspectives.
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Earn Your MA in History: Education Emphasis From GCU
Throughout your coursework for the master's in history with an emphasis in education, you’ll be challenged to think critically about the past. You will have the opportunity to develop a keen understanding of major historical narratives, arguments and interpretations, and you’ll examine best practices in pedagogical approaches. This master’s degree in history education highlights respectful collaboration with peers. It’s expected that you will develop a deep and meaningful awareness of and appreciation for diversity in all aspects of life.
In addition to exploring teaching methodologies and historical subjects, you will be taught advanced research methods in the field. At the graduate level, you will have the opportunity to critically evaluate the available literature in the field and develop a well-reasoned plan for your own research and professional participation.
Explore Our Christian University
As a Christian university, GCU is pleased to offer academically rich degree programs rooted in the Christian worldview. The emphasis on moral, ethical and faith-integrated leadership is fully integrated into all our curriculum. Aspiring history professors will work through an online or on-campus curriculum infused with the Christian perspective.
History Education Course Topics
History is an inherently multidisciplinary subject, ideal for innately curious, lifelong learners. GCU’s master's in history with an emphasis in education incorporates coursework that speaks to this multidisciplinary nature. You will be expected to develop a mastery of wide-ranging concepts such as the following:
- A thematic approach to world history, exploring the significant historiographical questions and concepts
- Global trends in population, economics, cultural expression, government and science throughout time
- Historical themes in U.S. history, with a close look at immigration, philosophical thought, industrialization, war, social justice and reform movements
- The history of the American West, both as a geographical region and a cultural ideology
You will also explore learning methodologies in distance learning, online education and traditional education. Learning paradigms, personalized learning and andragogy are examined.
Additionally, you must successfully complete a research seminar. As a seminar student, you will conduct an in-depth exploration of the literature and historiography of selected topics and apply graduate-level research methodologies. You will also develop your plan for professional participation in your field, including sustained research and publication.
History Education Skills You Will Be Taught
Throughout the master’s degree in history education coursework, you will be prompted to develop competencies in the following:
- Designing curriculum
- Communicating research findings
- Constructing, evaluating and challenging ideas
- Developing technological solutions for distance learning
This master’s degree in history with an education emphasis can prepare you to fulfill the graduate course requirements that are necessary to pursue opportunities in teaching at the postsecondary level. You may choose to further enhance your teaching qualifications by pursuing advanced studies at the doctoral level.2
Careers Possibilities for Graduates With an MA in History
With a master’s in history: education emphasis, you can prepare to share your passion for history with postsecondary students. Pursue opportunities teaching history students how to think critically, embrace diverse perspectives and learn from the past as they look to the future. A master’s degree may meet employer requirements for teaching at community colleges or other postsecondary institutions. This degree can also prepare you to pursue a doctoral degree in history education, which may enable you to pursue teaching positions at four-year universities.2
Beyond the classroom, a graduate-level history degree may prepare graduates to pursue employment in a diverse range of settings, including:3
- County, state and national parks
- Historical sites
- Media outlets
- Museums
- Historical archives
GCU Offers Institutionally Accredited History Degrees
As an institutionally accredited university, GCU is committed to furthering its longstanding tradition of prioritizing academic excellence. Our instructors offer quality instruction and a thorough curriculum. Furthermore, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Master’s in History: Education Emphasis FAQs
Whether you choose to pursue your master’s in history online or in the evenings on campus, you may have some questions about your career and degree options. Use the following frequently asked questions and answers as you plan your path to higher education.
If you love history and want to share your knowledge of historical trends and events with students, then earning a master’s degree in history education may be worth your consideration. As a history education graduate, you have the opportunity to instill a lifelong love of learning in your students while nurturing their curiosity about the world around them. Earning your MA in History can also put you on the path to doctoral studies, where you can strive for advanced competencies in research and education.
The master’s in history: education emphasis is designed for those who wish to teach history at the postsecondary level. Employer requirements can vary from one institute to the next. In general, however, a master’s degree may be all that’s needed to teach at community colleges. If you would like to teach at a four-year college or university, then earning the master’s degree in history can be a useful steppingstone toward pursuing a doctoral degree, which is typically the minimum requirement at four-year institutions.2
To apply for the evening or online master’s in history with an education emphasis at GCU, you must present either a bachelor’s degree from an accredited, approved school or program with the minimum required GPA or a graduate degree from an accredited, approved school or program. GMAT or GRE scores may be requested as supplementary requirements. Speak with a university counselor for more details.
As a history teacher, you can help students grow in their knowledge of past events and guide them in applying what they’ve learned to the present time. If you’re a history aficionado who is committed to lifelong learning and wishes to foster the same attitude in others, then being a history professor can be a meaningful choice. As education continues to evolve, you may also have the choice of which modality — online, classroom or hybrid — fits best with your schedule and career goals.
Becoming a history teacher requires a passion for the subject and an eagerness to examine historical events, trends and cultural changes over time. Employment requirements depend on which setting you would like to teach in. If you would like to become a postsecondary professor, you may only need a master’s in history: education emphasis to pursue employment at a community college. A doctoral degree is the usual requirement for aspiring professors at four-year colleges and universities.2
If you would like to become a history teacher at public secondary schools, you will need to earn a degree that leads to initial teacher licensure and meets the teacher licensure or certification requirements for the state in which you plan to work.4
The master’s in history: education emphasis degree program requires 34 credits for completion. Most of the online courses are eight weeks in length. To better understand how long it might take you to earn your master’s degree, you can fill out the form on this page to request a consultation with a university counselor.
Take a deep dive into historical topics and best practices in postsecondary pedagogy with this master’s in history online or in the evenings. Apply today at GCU.
Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLCommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Program availability varies and is not offered in all states or modalities. If you are seeking licensure/certification, please refer to the “Accreditation and Compliance/State Disclosures” link for the specific program of interest’s website page for your location and/or employment state’s licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c). Policy information is located in the University Policy Handbook on gcu.edu. Scholarship information is available on gcu.edu.
1 Intelligent. (2023, June 7). Best master’s in history degree programs of 2023. Intelligent. Retrieved Nov. 20, 2023.
2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). How to become a postsecondary teacher. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Nov. 20, 2023.
3 Birt, J. (2023, July 31). 10 popular history degree jobs. Indeed. Retrieved Nov. 20, 2023.
4 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). How to become a high school teacher. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Nov. 20, 2023.
Core Courses
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare students for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University. Students have opportunities to develop and strengthen the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students in the liberal arts. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the tools for graduate success.
Course Description
This course examines world history as a set of thematic concepts, highlighting the significant historiographical questions, examples, and resources for study of historical global themes such as population; economic networks; power, authority, and government; class, race, and gender; cultural expression; science, technology, and environment; and spiritual life and moral codes
Course Description
This course examines U.S. history as a set of thematic concepts, highlighting the significant historiographical questions, examples, and resources for study of historical themes such as migration and immigration; religious and philosophical thought; the republic and democracy; industrialization, business, and labor; prosperity and consumerism; reform movements and social justice; and war and society in U.S. history.
Course Description
This course covers adult learning theory and instructional practices that are research-based and proven effective in higher education. Technology, online learning, and effective instructional methods for online and traditional instruction are emphasized. Participants research learning models, personalized learning and andragogy and apply their knowledge to improve student engagement and achievement in higher education.
Course Description
This course introduces students to applied studies in history. Students have opportunities to engage in applied (public) history practice with focus toward using these methods in the classroom. Emphasis is placed on the resources and opportunities provided by museums, historic places, and archives for teaching secondary and postsecondary courses.
Course Description
This course investigates the history of the American West as both a region west of the Mississippi River, and an ideology that shaped cultures, economics, and politics, from frontier to modern America. Using historiography and applied research, students examine the diverse cultures and dynamics that made the American West a unique place in American history.
Course Description
This course applies learning theories to classroom instructional methods and strategies. Effective communication, creating learning goals, developing student outcomes and assessments, and giving effective feedback are emphasized. Participants are asked to develop activities, assessments, and lesson plans that would be appropriate for a course taught at a community college or university. Prerequisite: EDU-534.
Course Description
This course explores historical perspectives of race, class, gender, and ethnicity as lenses of stratification, identity, and experience that shape the historical record. Through historiography and applied research, students examine the contextual perspectives of race, class, gender, and ethnicity that shape our understanding of the past.
Course Description
This course prepares students for advanced research in history with the intent on publication. Students will engage the resources, methods, and problems of graduate-level research, investigate the literature and historiography of topics in their area of interest, and develop a plan for sustained research, publication, and professional participation in their field of study.
- GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
- Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
- Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.