United States History Certificate

Program Description

The Department of History offers a 18-hour Graduate Certificate which provides specialized courses in US History that emphasize the use of primary and secondary sources in exploring major historical events and time periods, such as the American Revolutionary War, Women’s History and American Education.

Admission Requirements

For consideration for admission into the Graduate Certificate in Unites States History program applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Applicants must meet the minimum GPA of the Graduate College (2.75 on a 4.00 scale) to be considered for admission. Meeting the minimum standards is required for admission but does not guarantee admission. Candidates with a GPA of 3.00 and above are generally preferred.
2. Applicants with 24 undergraduate credit hours in history are preferred. However, applicant with a relevant background in associates fields from the social sciences, humanities, and/or education will also be considered. The department also considers applications from in-service certified teachers.

Potential applicants who do not meet these criteria may contact the Graduate Director. It is possible to take undergraduate credits through Missouri State University to make up any deficits in either coursework or GPA requirements.

Application Process and Materials

All applicants must apply via the GradCAS system. Application materials should not be sent to the department directly. The department can only consider completed applications that include the following materials.

• Curriculum Vitae: Applicants must include an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV). This document should include a list of the applicant’s degree(s) as well as their GPA for each of their qualifications.
• Transcripts: Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree and submit the relevant transcripts to the GradCAS system. For the purpose of the application process, applicants may submit unofficial copies of their transcript(s) to the GradCAS system. Successful applicants will be required to submit official transcripts to the Graduate College within the first semester of their studies. If the applicant has credits from multiple institutions, the applicant must submit documentation for all institutions attended.
• Three Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must have three letters of recommendation. While academic references are preferred, applicants may also submit professional references, especially if the applicant is applying after a significant hiatus in their studies. Recommendations must be submitted via the GradCAS system. Please note that the GradCas system allows students to send out a link directly to their referee, which allows their referee to submit their letter of recommendation directly to the applicant’s file.
• Writing Sample: Applicants must submit a writing sample of approximately 2,000 words. Writing samples must be submitted via the GradCAS system. It is recommended, although not required, that this writing sample is a piece of academic writing (preferably from the discipline of history), such as an essay or an excerpt from a longer work (such as a capstone project or thesis). For applicants who do not have an example of their academic writing, a sample of professional writing that the applicant feels accurately reflects their abilities may be submitted.
• Evidence of Teaching Certification (if applicable): Applicants with a teaching certificate in social studies from a US state or territory should submit a copy of their certification via the GradCas system.

Should applicants have any technical issues pertaining to GradCas, they should contact Graduate Admissions.

Dates of Consideration

For full consideration, complete applications must be received by March 1 for summer or fall admission and October 1 for spring admission. Applications received after this deadline will be considered dependent on course availability.

Late admissions are processed in April for entry in the summer and the fall semesters and November for entry in the spring semester. If the department has already admitted a full cohort of students by that time, late applications will be automatically moved to the subsequent semester’s application pool.

Continuing Studies to the MA Level

Upon completing the Graduate Certificate in History, students who maintain a 3.0 GPA and obtain a B grade or above in HST 701 - Historiography and Historical Method  may apply directly to the History MA program. Courses taken as part of the Graduate Certificate in History can be counted towards the completion of the MA in History.

Current History MA Students

Students studying towards a History MA degree may add the certificate program to their course of study. Courses counted towards the History MA program can also count towards the Certificate. Students must be formally admitted into both the MA and the certificate program.