Exploring History Programs and Admission at Worcester State University
Worcester State University (WSU) offers a variety of history programs, catering to different interests and career goals. These programs range from undergraduate studies in history to advanced Master of Arts degrees, with options for specialization and accelerated pathways.
Undergraduate History Programs
The undergraduate history program at WSU provides a comprehensive exploration of the past, equipping students with critical thinking, research, and communication skills. The curriculum covers a broad range of historical periods and regions, including American, European, and global history.
The undergraduate curriculum is structured to provide a solid foundation in historical knowledge and methodologies. Students are required to take courses that survey global societies and their inter-relationships from ancient times to the present, offering a broad understanding of world history. These surveys cover different periods, such as:
- Ancient times to 1500
- 1500 to the present
- 1914 to the present
In addition to these survey courses, students explore specific areas of interest through elective courses. These electives cover a wide range of topics, including:
- African history
- Latin American history
- Middle Eastern history
- Asian history
- Native American history
- Immigration history
- United States economic development
- Social history
- Constitutional history
- American military history
- History of African descent
- French history
- English history
- Latin American history through film
- American architectural and artistic expression
- Economic ideas in world history
- The Holocaust
- Russian history
- East Asian history
- German history
- Central American and Caribbean history
- Chinese history
- The Civil War and Reconstruction
- The Soviet Union
- Islamic history
- The Ottoman Empire
- The Middle East since 1900
- American land use
- US and Latin America relations
- The American Revolution
- Ancient Mediterranean civilizations
- Italian history
- History of sexuality and gender in America
- Biblical history of the Jewish people
- History of African societies and cultures
- American history through the lens of food
The curriculum also emphasizes the development of essential skills for historical research and analysis. "The Historian's Craft" course introduces students to key events in world history, utilizing historical sources and methods to understand context, historical significance, and human agency. Students also develop research, writing, and information literacy skills, while gaining historical perspectives on current issues.
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The undergraduate history program also integrates experiential learning opportunities. For example, the course on American history through the lens of food includes a civic engagement and/or public history project related to the history of food. Additionally, there are opportunities for students to participate in study abroad programs, such as the experientially based immersion in the culture and society of China.
Course Examples
- HI-200 The Historian's Craft: Introduces students to key events in world history, emphasizing context, historical significance, and the use of historical sources and methods.
- HI-2XX+Africa/Latin America History Electives: Explore the histories of Africa and Latin America, providing insights into diverse cultures and societies.
- HI-3XX+History Elective (300/400 level): Allows students to delve deeper into specific areas of interest within history.
- HI-460 or HI-470 Senior Research Seminar in History or Senior Thesis in History: Provides an opportunity for students to conduct original research and produce a substantial piece of scholarly work.
The undergraduate history program requires a total of 121 credits for completion.
Joint 4+1 Program: BA in History/Political Science and Master of Public Management (MPM)
For students interested in pursuing a career in public service or non-profit management, Worcester State University offers a joint 4+1 program that allows students to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in History or Political Science and a Master of Public Management (MPM) in just five years. This accelerated program provides students with a unique opportunity to combine their passion for history or political science with practical management skills.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the joint 4+1 program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Completion of 90 undergraduate credits
- Minimum 3.25 GPA in their major (History or Political Science)
- Overall minimum 3.0 GPA
- Two letters of recommendation
Students are encouraged to take introductory courses in political science, management, and economics before graduating from their undergraduate programs, as these courses are prerequisites for full matriculation into the MPM program. A course in financial accounting is also highly recommended.
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Program Structure
In order to complete the joint degree, students take 9-11 graduate credits, which count both in their undergraduate program and in the MPM. These graduate credits are taken in place of elective undergraduate credits. Students receive advising from both the graduate coordinator and their undergraduate advisor.
Graduate Course Options
4+1 students can take specific graduate core courses that will count as core classes in the graduate program and electives in the student’s undergraduate program. Graduate electives will count as electives in both the graduate and undergraduate programs.
- Master of Public Management (MPM): Students may take any three of the following core courses and any courses offered as graduate electives: PM-901, PM-903, PM-934, PM-942, PM-945, PM-949, PM-951.
- Master of Public Administration and Policy (MPAP): Students may take any three of the following core courses and any courses offered as graduate electives: PA-901, PA-903, PA-934, PA-942, PA-945, PA-949, PA-951.
- MS in Nonprofit Management: Students may take any three of the following core courses and any courses offered as graduate electives: NM-901, NM-903, NM-934, NM-942, NM-945, NM-949, NM-951, NM-993.
Core Courses in MPM
The Master of Public Management (MPM) program consists of 36 credits, including the following core courses:
- PM-901 Project Management for Public Organizations (3 credits)
- PM-903 Economics for Policy Analysis (3 credits)
- PM-934 Ethics & Management of Human Resources (3 credits)
- PM-942 Organizational Theory (3 credits)
- PM-945 Financial Management for Public Organizations (3 credits)
- PM-949 Strategic Leadership & Planning for Public Organizations (3 credits)
- PM-951 Negotiation & Conflict Resolution for Public Organizations (3 credits)
- PM-980 Management Project Fieldwork I for Public Management (2 credits)
- PM-981 Management Project Fieldwork II for Public Management (4 credits)
- PM-990 Action Research (3 credits)
In addition to the core courses, students are required to take two electives (6 credits).
Core Courses in Master of Public Administration and Policy
The Master of Public Administration and Policy (MPAP) program consists of 36 credits, including the following core courses:
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- PA-901 Policy Analysis (3 credits)
- PA-903 Economics for Policy Analysis (3 credits)
- PA-934 Ethics & Management of Human Resources (3 credits)
- PA-942 Organizational Theory (3 credits)
- PA-945 Public Budgeting & Financial Management (3 credits)
- PA-949 Strategic Leadership & Planning for Public Organizations (3 credits)
- PA-951 Negotiation & Conflict Resolution for Public Organizations (3 credits)
- PA-980 Capstone Fieldwork I for Public Administration & Policy (2 credits)
- PA-981 Capstone Fieldwork II for Public Administration and Policy (4 credits)
- PA-990 Analysis and Interpretation of Quantitative Data for Public Policy (3 credits)
In addition to the core courses, students are required to take two electives (6 credits).
Core Courses in MS in Nonprofit Management
The MS in Nonprofit Management program consists of 36 credits, including the following core courses:
- NM-901 The Nonprofit World: NGOs, the State & Civil Society (3 credits)
- NM-934 Ethics and Management of Human Resources (3 credits)
- NM-942 Organizational Theory (3 credits)
- NM-945 Financial Management for Non-Profit Organizations (3 credits)
- NM-949 Strategic Leadership and Planning (3 credits)
- NM-951 Grant Writing (4 credits)
- NM-980 Thesis I (1 credit)
- NM-981 Thesis II (4 credits)
- NM-990 Action Research (3 credits)
- NM-993 Marketing and Resource Development (3 credits)
In addition to the core courses, students are required to take two electives (6 credits).
Admission Process
Admission to the joint 4+1 program is on a rolling basis, and applicants may start their program of study in any semester. Students achieve matriculation only after they obtain their undergraduate degree. The prerequisite requirements must be completed by then.
Master of Arts in History
Worcester State University also offers a Master of Arts in History degree, designed for students seeking advanced knowledge and skills in historical research and analysis. The M.A. program offers two tracks: the portfolio track and the thesis track.
Track 1: Portfolio
The portfolio track requires students to complete 36 credits, including:
- Foundation courses (6 credits):
- HI-910 Study and Writing of History (3 credits)
- History Research Seminar (3 credits)
- Distribution History courses (18 credits):
- US History Electives (6 credits)
- European History Electives (6 credits)
- Non-US/Non-European History Electives (6 credits)
- Minor Concentration in History or a related field (9 credits): Developed in consultation with an advisor.
The capstone of the program is the presentation of a portfolio to the graduate coordinator after all coursework has been completed. The portfolio should include five papers, plus an introductory narrative that reflects upon the student’s program as a whole, provides the necessary context for understanding the five papers, and explains why those particular papers were chosen. One of the papers must be a research paper incorporating primary sources.
Track 2: Thesis
The thesis track requires students to complete 36 credits, including:
- Distribution History courses (15 credits):
- US History Electives or European History Electives or Non-U.S/Non-European History (or World) (15 credits)
- HI-995 Thesis Option (research) (3 credits)
- HI-996 Thesis Option (writing) (3 credits)
- Minor Concentration in History or a related field (9 credits): Developed in consultation with an advisor.
Students will form a thesis committee of at least two faculty members. One will be the primary advisor (and the instructor of record for the thesis courses) who will work closely with the student in their research and writing. The second will read the final version of the thesis.
Additional Information
Directed study offers graduate students the opportunity to complete an existing course with an established syllabus under the direction and with agreement from a faculty member, if they are unable to register for a course when offered due to unusual circumstances.
The program provides an overview of historiography and research methods in history. Graduate-level work in history engages with and situates itself within scholarly conversation. M.A. candidates grasp that history is a contentious discipline and a dynamic debate among evidence-based arguments, rather than a static body of agreed-upon knowledge to be simply acquired or mastered.
Program Coordinator
The Program Coordinator for the Master of Arts in History can provide further information and guidance to prospective students.
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