Written by Bane Lane \/\/ Graphic by Cooper Turman <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This semester marked the beginning of a new master\u2019s degree within the Department of History and Political Science, which is among the latest of graduate programs added to the University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe 30-hour M.A. in history emphasizes historiographical analysis and research skills, while offering students a flexible curriculum in the history of Europe and the United States,\u201d the department\u2019s website said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Nate Wiewora, associate professor of history and director of the new program, said the program is designed for students entering academia or teaching history or social studies, but the program benefits those entering professional occupations like archaeology, museums, law and journalism as well as others because the aim of the program is to teach students how to research, how to interpret the past and how to critically think. The flexible curriculum allows students to choose which classes \u2014 outside of core classes \u2014 they take, allowing them to choose topics of interest.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The program\u2019s flexibility extends beyond the coursework as students have numerous ways to participate in the program. Individuals may enroll in fully-remote and completely on-ground options. A thesis and non-thesis track is offered. Students may enter in the fall, spring or summer as full or part-time, and the program can be completed in 18 months. There is also an accelerated option in which students may complete a B.A. from select programs and the M.A. in five years or less.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe kind of bigger picture thing is it\u2019s good in a way \u2014 because I particularly mean graduate degrees in the humanities \u2014 the average time to complete a Ph.D. program in history is eight years, and that\u2019s not necessary. I think anything you can do to find ways to have a good, solid, rigorous program and shorten that time frame is beneficial.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the previous five years, 10 graduate programs have been added as areas of study. Three programs \u2014 master\u2019s in history, architecture and cardiac function and interventional technology \u2014 were added this school year. A number of accelerated programs were among those added in previous years. Dr. Will Perkins, graduate registrar, said \u201caccelerated programs are designed to help students get ahead of their graduate work,\u201d and that they are increasingly popular as students and higher education attempt to reduce cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Graduate student Noah Haile, who is participating in the program, enrolled online and works full time in the marketing department at Arkansas State University-Beebe. Haile, who obtained his undergraduate degree at Williams Baptist University in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, said he was unaware of the program until he found it while searching the internet after unsatisfactory experiences in graduate courses at a different school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo, seeing that Harding had [the M.A. in history],\u201d Haile said, \u201cand knowing that it\u2019s going to be filtered through a Christian lens, that is very appealing.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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