The History M.A. has long been considered either a stepping stone to a Ph.D. or a lesser graduate degree—one that is of secondary interest to students and universities alike. But M.A. programs have much to offer beyond a pathway to the Ph.D. This session explores approaches to rethinking the M.A. in order to create sustainable programs that address student needs in a changing social, economic, and higher education landscape. We explore ways that successful history M.A. students can apply the discipline and build audiences for historical thinking beyond university settings.

Discussion will include new approaches to recruitment, attention to cohort building, student-centered pedagogy, teacher training, and rethinking culminating projects to suit student needs. We ask how recruiting, mentoring, and retaining traditionally underserved, non-traditional students, or working professionals such as secondary teachers can help sustain MA programs, make them relevant in new ways, and contribute to the discipline as a whole.