Military History

Program Director: David Ulbrich

Associate Program Director of Academics: John Broom

Mission

The Master of Arts in Military History program:

• provides students with a base of historical knowledge within the field of military history,

• builds an awareness of differing historical interpretations and the ability to synthesize diverse types of historical knowledge,

• builds and refine student research, writing, analysis and presentation skills,

• provides students with an introduction to historical pedagogy,

• provides students with a foundation for developing a professional identity as a historian and,

• helps students “learn to think like a historian” and develop “historiographical sensibilities” and “historical habits of mind.”
   

The Master of Arts in Military History curriculum is guided by the goals for history M.A. degrees outlined by the American Historical Association. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a base of historical knowledge, graduate-level historical research skills, an introduction to historical pedagogy, the foundation for an identity as a historian, and the “habits of mind” of a professional historian.

Master of Arts in Military History students come from a variety of different professions and seek to earn their M.A. in Military History for both personal and professional reasons. Many students who are professional educators utilize the Masters of Arts in Military History to further their expertise in the field of military history. The degree is also a means of professional development to military personnel who see the degree as highly relevant to their profession. A few students use the degree as preparation for further work in the field at the Ph.D. level.

Comprehensive Examination

In lieu of a capstone paper or thesis, a student may complete a written comprehensive examination while taking an additional elective as their sixth seminar and enroll in the comprehensive examination. The degree is not conferred until the student successfully the exam.

M.A. Thesis

The M.A. thesis is an original research project demonstrating the student’s ability to conduct primary source research and mastery of the historiography germane to the research question. The thesis must demonstrate graduate-level analysis, synthesis, and argument and make a compelling case for the argument’s historical and historiographic significance. A petition to the Program Director, Associate Program Director for Academics, and Capstone Director is required during the fourth seminar. The petition must be accompanied by two letters of recommendation from two Military History program faculty and a thesis proposal.

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution, as evaluated by WES, IERF, SpanTran, or CED.

  • Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher

• If English is not your first language, proof of English language proficiency is required. This can be demonstrated in one of three ways:

  • TOEFL - a minimum score of 550 (paper-based test) or 80 (Internet-based test) is required.

  • IELTS – a minimum composite score of 6.5 is required.

  • The applicant holds a baccalaureate or master’s degree from a college/university/institution in which the primary language of instruction was English.

Statement of Interest/Letter of Intent.

Writing Sample (either answer one short essay question in the application process or submit a scholarly academic paper or publication).

All eligibility requirements are expected to be met unless noted in specific articulation agreements or memoranda of understanding (MOUs).

Up to 12-semester graduate credits for study conducted elsewhere may be awarded. Norwich complies with VA regulations and guidelines as it pertains to transfer credits.