Wondering if I made the right decision

[HistoricScout]

So, I've been accepted into a MA program for this fall and I'm super excited. However, I'm also a bit apprehensive. My focus during my undergrad was in the American Civil War. I did not complete a thesis during that time but my favorite professor allowed me to give several speeches to the local civil war round table where I attended college. The school I was accepted into sounds wonderful. It's in IL and they also have a public history program which I'm looking into. I've accepted a TA position and I'm heading up soon to look at the campus. The only issue is that there is no true civil war historian on staff. There are a number of falculty that specialize in military history and the study of violence, as well as a few professors specializing in nineteenth-century American history. I'm just wondering if I may have made a mistake by heading to a school that does not have a true, dedicated historian in what I want to focus on. 

 

Edit: I should have mentioned that I am considering obtaining a doctorate degree and I'm worried if this may hinder my admissions in anyway. 

Edited June 12, 2016 by HistoricScout

[Danger_Zone]

I don't think the fit of the school matters nearly as much at the MA level as it does at the doctorate level. So if you are planning to continue your education after your Master's, I think your work at this school will serve more to demonstrate your research abilities. I think you should still be able to work on a research topic that is close enough to what you are interested in, especially if there are faculty still working within your area (even if not specifically on the Civil War.) In any case, I still think it's okay to do a Master's thesis on a topic interesting to you, even if it is not the exact topic you had planned based on your research interests. If you do end up doing a PhD, this is where you would have the opportunity to research the Civil War, or whatever it is that you are truly interested in. 

[Calgacus]

Well, my initial thoughts are 1) it's hard to assess your decision without knowing what your other options were/are, and 2) if you're being funded for the MA through guaranteed TA-ships, it's pretty easy to look at it as a good decision, and is something you could highlight in future PhD apps as the reason to go to this program as opposed to maybe an MA program with a hotshot civil war historian but that's unfunded. Obviously, the ideal situation would be to find one that offers both things, and I think there are several of those out there. But as long as it's fully funded, it can only be so bad of a decision. Of course, it also depends on your research interests. You say there are several military historians and some 19th c. Americanists--are you wanting to do research in Civil War military history? If so, you're probably fine. But if you were looking to do something different (social, cultural, environmental, etc. history of the Civil War era), it may be a bit more of a reach. It all depends on what you want to do and what the faculty in your program do. But overall, this stuff doesn't matter as much for an MA, especially if it's funded. You can bone up your research skills and then if you decide to apply for PhD's you'll just have to talk with your MA advisors about how best to spin your MA experiences in a way that best helps your application.

Edited June 12, 2016 by Calgacus

[TMP]

You are fine.  The combination of Civil War military historians and the 19th century American historians no doubt have at least worked together on behalf of students with interests like yours.  A strong 19th century American history program will do well for you in preparing for the PhD, including the thesis.

The fit isn't super important at the MA level as it is at the PhD level, where you are stuck with relatively same faculty for a long time.

And you're getting tuition waiver for your MA?  Great-- it's a good decision!

[Sigaba]

10 hours ago, HistoricScout said:

I'm just wondering if I may have made a mistake by heading to a school that does not have a true, dedicated historian in what I want to focus on. 

What is your specific interest in the American Civil War and how, in your view, would military historians and Americanists who specialize in the nineteenth century not be able to help you get to where you want to go? Have you discussed your concerns with the professor with whom you worked at Purdue?