About Master’s Program,
Welcome to the M.A. program in History! The M.A. program is designed for students interested in extending their undergraduate knowledge of historical issues, who wish to prepare for jobs in historically related fields, or who are interested in teaching at the secondary or community college levels. Our masters students use their training in a variety of professions and endeavors.
Students complete a “master’s essay” while taking History 756 (directed research) at the end of the program. The “master’s essay” is a major original research project employing primary sources that builds upon the work that the student begins in their 700-level research seminars. Other requirements for the master’s degree are the successful completion of two field essays as the M.A. Comprehensive Examination, and demonstration of at least “average” proficiency in a foreign language for students studying areas where English is not the predominant language or who wish to go on to the Ph.D. When appropriate, quantitative skills can be substituted for the language requirement.
For a comprehensive introduction to graduate work at NIU, consult the Graduate Student Handbook and graduate catalog.
Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Students with a bachelor’s degree will be considered for admission to the master’s program, while those with a master’s degree in history will be considered for the doctoral program.
Browse our diverse range of graduate programs to find the one that aligns with your career goals and interests.
Master’s Funding Coverage,
At NIU, we provide financial support with graduate assistantships. We fund approximately fifteen M.A. and Ph.D. students each year with support from the Graduate School at NIU. Entering M.A. students normally receive two years of funding, while entering Ph.D. students usually get at least four. If a student enters as an M.A. student and continues on to the Ph.D., they can usually count on six total years of departmental funding. The deadline for students to apply for departmental funding is January 15 each year. In addition to assistantships, we also provide funding for summer research travel and for at least one academic conference per year. These awards are open to all graduate students, but they are competitive and limited by available funds. Students may also be able to support their work by winning university-wide fellowships or grants or by seeking outside funding sources.
Application Requirement,
Transcripts
Letters of Recommendation
Application Essay/Career Goal Statement
Writing Sample
Application Deadline,
Jan 15, 2026
Application Fee,
$60 for degree-seeking students
