costigan95
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Any History MA students who only had a minor in undergrad history?
costigan95 replied to TurnLeft's topic in History
I have a similar situation (BS Criminology, minor History), and my history advisers said that a strong minor is sufficient. I took roughly as many history courses as I did for my major, but my University required 30 additional total credits to graduate, since it was a dual degree, BA and BS. I also acquiesced towards history rather than my major, but stuck it out for the diploma. I plan to apply to Fall 2019 MA programs to gain some more training, and will likely pursue a PhD following that. -
costigan95 reacted to a post in a topic:
Genocide Studies in US or Canada?
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Is there a good program for Holocaust and Genocide Studies in North America? I live in the US, and am looking at University of Amsterdam's program, which seems good, but was curious if there are any non-ivy schools with good programs?
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I am also curious...
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costigan95 reacted to a post in a topic:
McMaster History MA
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Thank you for the informative reply! I am looking in to schools abroad, as they will provide a new experience and are generally cheaper and/or funded to varying degrees. I also agree that new connections would be valuable. Time off is surely important, as reflection can do no harm. I am working full-time, but also did through most of undergrad so I am likely already aware of the skills I have in the "real world." Either way it still provides good opportunity for money and personal growth. Does anyone have thoughts on the Canadian and European MA programs?
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The one area they do have some strong archives in is a former state senator, who was very active during World War II, and could yield some useful documents relating to foreign policy.
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Don't get me wrong, it has a great program. Great profs, and I have no doubt that the quality of my work will benefit from their guidance. The archives are primarily American West documents, so it would be lacking on archival documents relating to my research areas. So that would be the one downfall.
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costigan95 reacted to a post in a topic:
Cheaper MA vs. Higher Ranking MA
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Hello, Similar questions have been asked, but I wanted to give my particular example. I graduated from a Public University with a 3.55 GPA BS in Sociology with a History minor, in December. I am planning to pursue a PhD in History and am reasoning the best path forward. The head of the History Department at my alma mater recommended that I look in to a MA before pursuing a PhD, as I need to iron out my languages, some more research experience, and it would only serve to strengthen my overall admission chances into a strong PhD program. My two areas of interest are 20th Century German History and US Foreign Policy in in the 1960s. If my end goal is a PhD, then does the ranking of my MA matter all that much? My school's graduate program specializes in US History, but she said that my focus on Foreign Policy would allow for a reasonably easy transition into a German History PhD, along with better language skills. I can go here for my MA and accumulate a relatively small amount of debt, and the faculty is great. However, its not ranked super high. Alternatively, I could drop more money on a well known MA program and go into a PhD with substantially more debt. I would appreciate thoughts on the matter. Thanks! tldr; Cheap and convenient MA, or prestigious and expensive MA before PhD?
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costigan95 reacted to a post in a topic:
Research Experience Before Applying to Programs
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costigan95 reacted to a post in a topic:
Best American Intellectualism PhD Program/Professors
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What are some of the stronger programs for American Intellectual History? Also, what is typically expected on a strong US History applicants CV? Thanks everyone!
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Thank you for suggesting the programs. I think the first thing I need to get a handle on, is that taking my time will only benefit me. I am deeply interested in Nationalism, but fear that it is too saturated with people already doing work. I am also very interested in how the problems faced by Germany in the 20th Century, affect Modern Germany and Europe. I know that is a broad area of study, and I will need to focus in on what is a novel and interesting approach to examining it.
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costigan95 reacted to a post in a topic:
Research Experience Before Applying to Programs
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costigan95 reacted to a post in a topic:
Research Experience Before Applying to Programs
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costigan95 reacted to a post in a topic:
Research Experience Before Applying to Programs
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Am I confined to one area of interest? Most of my undergrad work and personal studies have been focused on Germany (Weimar, Rise of Nazism, some Cold War GDR stuff) but I also am drawn to US foreign policy during the 1970s. I'm just deciding the best approach academically. It seems that a US history MA would be more for personal benefit, than academic benefit.
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My alma mater is only worth attending if I do US History, as that is its strongest area of study that appeals to me. I'm not adverse doing a comparative aspect, but you are right that my PhD interests to not focus on American history. With that clear, would I better served sharpening my language and historiographical ability?
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That's another question. If I take the next year or so to do independent research, and develop a subsequent paper, would that be just as valuable as well developed BA paper? I would like to study 20th Century Germany, but my German does need some development. I am happy to take the steps to up my reading comprehension and develop speaking ability a bit more. Would an MA in US History be detrimental, if may not intend to continue that work in a PhD setting?
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Thanks in advance. I graduated in the fall with a 3.53 GPA, BS in Sociology (Criminology) and a minor in History, from a Land Grant Public Research University. My plan for much of my undergrad career was to attend law school, but I always considered a graduate program in history. Now, after working at a law firm as a research assistant for several months, I am refocusing on a graduate program in history, as that is where my instincts and heart are taking me. I would like to pursue a PhD, as academia is one of my more focused goals. My question is whether private legal research, separate from a University, will be appealing to a PhD program? I passed up a research position at my school for the legal job, as I thought it would help me more with law school (and money). Now I am wondering if I have shot myself in the foot... I have a lot of research paper experience from UG with my Sociology degree, and was just shy of a dual degree with History, so I have quite a few classes on my transcript. I would like to get in to a really good program, but worry I don't have enough academic research experience, at least that I can put on a CV. My Alma mater has a strong graduate (MA and PhD) history program, that isn't ridiculously expensive. I wonder if an MA would make me a more appealing candidate under the circumstances? Any recommendations are welcome