Overview

The History M.A. at San Diego State University provides a rigorous academic environment where students engage with leading scholars in American, international, political, and social history. This programme encourages deep intellectual exploration of diverse eras, ranging from ancient civilisations to the complexities of the Cold War period.

Why History at San Diego State University?

Students benefit from a vibrant research culture that emphasises archival work at local, national, and international levels. The department provides unique opportunities for hands-on experience through graduate assistantships and collaborative projects with faculty members. Participants often present their findings at the annual Student Symposium, gaining recognition for their scholarly contributions.

The university maintains strong links with prestigious institutions, including the Nixon Library and various national archives. Additionally, the programme offers a specialised concentration in War and Society, exploring the causes and consequences of conflict, as well as an Advanced Certificate in Public History for those interested in museum studies and digital preservation.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 8548 per year
National fee: USD 8548 per year
Local fee: USD 8548 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum consists of 30 units of study, incorporating advanced seminars and independent research. Students must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language and choose between a thesis or a comprehensive examination as their culminating project. Modules may include:

Historical Methodology
Historiography
Primary Source Research
War and Society
Public History
Special Studies
Directed Readings

Careers with History

Graduates from this programme are well-prepared for diverse professional pathways in education, government service, and research. Many alumni secure teaching positions at community colleges and universities across California and the wider United States. The analytical and research skills developed during the course are highly valued in various sectors, including public policy and non-profit management.

The programme has a strong track record of placing students into prestigious Ph.D. programmes and law schools at institutions such as Yale University, Brown University, and the University of Melbourne. Others find rewarding careers in public history, working with organisations like the San Diego History Center, the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library, and various national museums.

Programme Structure

Courses Included:

Topics in Ancient History

History of Ancient Near Eastern Civilizations

Ancient Greece

Ancient Rome

The Dark Ages

The Later Middle Ages

The Renaissance

The Reformation

The Fall of the Roman Empire

British Century: Waterloo to World War

The Great War: A Turning Point in European History

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 12 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-24 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-02-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

105

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TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

30 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

San Diego, United States

Disciplines

History View 534 other Masters in History in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

105

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

You can apply to SDSU as a graduate student if you:

have earned an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or one approved by a Ministry of Education or
will have earned an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or one approved by a Ministry of Education by the term immediately prior to enrollment.
have a minimum U.S. equivalent GPA (grade point average) of 3.0 (B grade or about 80%) or higher is required to be considered for admission.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

11548 USD / year

≈ 11548 USD / year
Out-of-State

11548 USD / year

≈ 11548 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

8548 USD / year

≈ 8548 USD / year

Additional Details

Non-resident tuition: Add $444 per unit to the basic tuition and fees listed above.

Living costs

San Diego

United States

1400 - 2455 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for History.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Additional Details

Living costs

San Diego

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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