Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in History
Our post-baccalaureate certificate in history is ideally suited for:
- Texas high school teachers who have an MA in a field other than history and want to teach history in the dual credit classroom.
- Teachers who have an MA in a field other than history and want to teach history in the community college classroom.
- Individuals who are interested in graduate work in history but aren’t ready to fully commit to a graduate program.
A prior MA is not required for admission. However, state law mandates that dual credit and community college teachers hold an MA in any field AND 18 hours in the subject they are teaching. Our certificate program meets the 18-hour requirement to teach history. If you do not hold a master’s degree and are interested in teaching history in either the community college or dual credit classroom, please visit our MA in History program page.
Benefits
Choose your own courses
With only one required course, our certificate option allows you to design a program of coursework that meets your needs. Interested in the Civil War? Latin America? European History? Colonial America? World War II? Women’s History? Or some other field? Our flexible curriculum allows you to build a personalized program from a wide range of graduate courses.
Only 18 hours to complete
If you already have a master’s degree (in any field), you are only six graduate courses away from being able to teach history in the community college setting. Similarly, if you are a certified teacher with a master’s degree (in any field) you are only six graduate courses away from being qualified to teach history in a dual credit classroom. Most students complete our free-standing graduate certificate program in two or three semesters.
Convenient class times
Most of our courses meet once a week in the evenings, and many courses are available in hybrid or synchronous on-line formats. Our program is ideal for current teachers or other working professionals.
Dedicated faculty
As a student in our program, you will be paired with a faculty mentor who will be available to help and advise you throughout the program. Our faculty are committed to a conversational model of education that maximizes student success.
Affordability and value
TWU has the fourth-lowest college costs among Texas public universities. Additionally, graduates of our free-standing certificate program are well-positioned to increase their income through dual credit and/or community college teaching.
A welcoming community
Diversity and collaboration are fundamental to our academic culture. Our department's faculty, staff and students have created an inclusive community dedicated to mutual support, respect and success.
Certificate details
Earn your certificate in just six easy steps
- Take our required introductory course “Research Methods in History.” This course introduces students to the types of questions historians ask and the basic methods used to find answers.
- Take 3 courses, of your choice, in U.S. History. These could include courses Colonial America, the American West, the Great Depression, World War II, and many others
- Take 1 course, of your choice, in non-U.S. History. This might be a course on the Renaissance, Latin America, the History of France, or many others.
- Take 1 elective History course of your choice. You can choose any graduate History course we offer to meet this requirement. You could take a course on the American Revolution, the Civil War, Women’s History, and many others
- Submit a portfolio containing at least one research project from your coursework and a personal statement describing how you will tie your coursework into your career.
- Have a formal conversation, called a “defense,” about your portfolio with a faculty committee.
Certificate course requirements
Admission requirements
Admission to the Post-baccalaureate Certificate Programs in History & Political Science
Program Contact
Christina Bejarano, PhD
Graduate program director
(940) 898- 2785
cbejarano@twu.edu
Application Deadlines
No deadline, rolling admission
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor degree.
- Applicant’s overall record should clearly reflect the ability to pursue advanced study, conduct research, and write effectively in the field selected.
- Documentation of a strong preparation in the liberal arts.
- A minimum GPA of 3.25 on last 60 semester credit hours of undergraduate work.
Applicants who do not meet the above prerequisites at the time of application may, under exceptional circumstances, be recommended for provisional admission by the department.
How to Apply
- Apply for admission to the TWU Graduate School.
- Collect and submit the following documents as separate files in ONE email to HistoryGov@twu.edu with the subject line "(Full Name) - Graduate Certificate Application". Please attach all items as PDFs.
- writing sample (college paper in any subject OR a 3-5 page personal statement that describes your goals)
- curriculum vita
- Names and contact information from three references
Questions?
Contact Parker Hevron, Ph.D., at phevron@twu.edu or 940-898-2131.
Page last updated 1:53 PM, October 5, 2022