This program is offered online.
Fall 2026: Your Journey in Applied History Begins!
Transform Your Passion for History into Practical Expertise
We have designed The Citadel’s Master of Arts in Applied History to meet the diverse professional development needs of historians, educators and history enthusiasts nationwide. This fully online, synchronous program offers a unique way for students with a passion for history at all stages of their careers to learn and apply historical knowledge to personal and professional projects.
The Online M.A. in Applied History program at The Citadel offers dynamic classroom instruction and interaction online. The program requires ~33 credit hours, divided into core courses, electives and a research project.
An Interactive Approach to Historical Study
It’s not just online; it’s live. You and your fellow students will participate in real-time, face-to-face sessions with our expert faculty. These interactive classes bring together a community of enthusiastic students and professors, allowing you to collaborate, discuss and engage with historical material and methods in ways that feel immediate and personal.
Whether you’re a museum curator, a history teacher or someone working on a personal genealogy project, we have tailored the program to support your journey. With guidance from our expert faculty, you’ll explore the practice of history in ways that are meaningful to you, drawing from your community, personal experiences or broader contexts, to create a project tailored to your interests and aspirations. This program is perfect for both professionals eager to enhance their expertise and for independent researchers looking to engage deeply with their passion for history and personal projects.
Applied History, M.A. Program Objectives
The M.A. in Applied History equips students with the skills to practice history in a wide range of fields, from museum curation and teaching to business, tourism, social media and historical interpretation. The program enhances critical thinking and communication and research skills through a curriculum that is both broad and adaptable to individual needs.
Students will:
- Understand the important role that history plays in local, regional, national and global contexts.
- Learn about the practice of history by professional and non-professional historians.
- Understand the ways historians interpret and write about the past.
- Use historiography to underpin their historical research.
- Create an original historical project of significance to their historical practice.
Admission Requirements
- Online Graduate Application: Complete the online graduate application.
- Official Transcripts: Submit official transcripts from a regionally accredited institution reflecting the highest degree earned. Applicants should have 15 credit hours in history and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
- If applicants lack 15 credit hours of coursework in history, and have an aptitude for, or have research experience, they may be provisionally admitted.
- Students who do not meet the GPA requirements may be provisionally admitted and fully accepted after completing their first eight hours of coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.50.
- Application Essay: Submit a 300-600 word essay outlining your reasons for applying and the personal research project you intend to pursue.
- Letters of Recommendation: Two signed letters of recommendation, with, if possible, at least one from a former professor. Alternatively, a commanding officer, employer or someone who can speak to your research ability may provide a recommendation. Each reference should be as specific as possible in analyzing the applicant’s potential for success in the program.
Interested in Learning More?
Review the Frequently Asked Questions for the Applied History, M.A. Program.