Comments on: Master’s Degree in Military History

By: Felix C.

Felix C. — Mon, 24 May 2010 17:42:27 +0000

To those who attended the three or four online institutions mentioned above..have you continued onward to a PhD and was your online program accepted by the succeeding university?

Or, Have you found work as an adjunct professor in your area? Is your degree considered valid by local/state institutions?

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:44:35 +0000

Late to this thread. I took three courses from Sam Houston State University’s on-line MA in Military History. The reason I went with them (rather than Norwich or AMU) was because:

1 – at the time, AMU was not regionally accredited.
2 – the cost for Norwich was prohibitive.

These items have both changed somewhat, because I believe AMU has regional accredidation and the new GI Bill would significantly reduce my out of pocket expenses @ Norwich.

Having said that, I was extremely pleased w/ Sam Houston State University. Each course was taught by a professor who had also written extensively on the topic. All three professors were easy to contact, and we carried on several spirited discussions via e-mail. While each of these was one-on-one and not in a collaborative forum with other students, I felt I learned a lot about history at the Master’s level as well as how to write book reviews.

I used SHSU to take three electives to apply with War College credit to get a Masters in National Security and Strategy, because it was the fastest way to get a Masters given my full-time military employment. I plan to re-engage to pursue the MA in Military History in the near future.

By: Lisa D St Valentine

Lisa D St Valentine — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:38:19 +0000

Thank you so much for your summation. I have a similar academic background as you describe yours, and at this point it’ all about time and money. So your write-up is much appreciated as I ponder.

Thanks again,

Lisa

By: David

David — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:30:14 +0000

Been looking online at different History degree programs as well. I checked out the Society for Military History site and they list Sam Houston State and Georgia Southern as other options. The History degree will only be my third, but it is the one I am looking forward to the most. Would love to hear anyones experiences with any of the programs mentioned in the discussion..

By: Neil

Neil — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:45:52 +0000

A very good discussion (which I guess means that it confirmed what I was thinking!). The only issue I have is that “I know what I know” and whenever I talk on my topics I get positive feedback, and from strangers who don’t feel they have to compliment me. I would love to teach a course at a Community College but how do I certify/prove what I know? Like many others on this board I have advance degrees (2), but in engineering.

By: mike

mike — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:24:33 +0000

Have been pursuing an MA in Military History at AMU for the last 18 months and i find that like most any other on-line course of study or even an on-site one, what you get out of it depends on what you put in. In addition to the coursework I have joined several of the various historical societies like the Society for Military History the Organization of American Historian and also joined an “Independent scholars” group. As a result, corerspond with many historians an students around the country and have attended some conferences and even gave a presentation at one. These have been stimulating experiences and keep me connected to what is happening in the field. My eventual goal is to teach military history in a non-academic settiing such as a museum, battlefield or other historic site and in this regard I have served as a volunteer gude at an NPS site and maybe this will turn into a paid job. oint is that in addtion to the MH degree I can show that I have actual experience working in the field and not just a piece of paper that confirms I took some classes.

My only concern about AMU is that they have a lot of required courses for and there ijust one independent study opportunity and zero for taking classes at other institutions or internships. .

By: FELIX

FELIX — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:28:43 +0000

Is there a definitive list off universities offering M.A. programs with specialization in Military History? Both Thesis and non-thesis.

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 05:32:37 +0000

What do you all think about the online masters program at Austin Peay State University? I’ve been looking into it and it seems like a good program. If any of you have any experience with it (good or bad), please post your thoughts and comments.

http://www.apsu.edu/cogs/mil_history.htm

By: andrew

andrew — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:33:55 +0000

Good thing you didn’t go to Norwich for Military History. From what I hear the professors are “lowest bidder” profs and the course material is all theory and very little actually military history.

I’m considering U of I-Urbana for an MA in Military History. Military History degrees seem to be drying up as many of the older military history teachers are retiring.

By: Jim

Jim — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 12:29:00 +0000

Can anyone enlighten me on the cost of the MA Degree in Military History at AMU? Thanks!