History (MA)
Graduate Program Overview
Interpret the Past. Deepen Research. Contribute to Global Understanding.
Pursue advanced historical research in a collaborative graduate environment where you’ll work closely with faculty whose expertise aligns with your academic interests. Nipissing’s Master of Arts in History provides a broad foundation across the discipline while allowing you to develop specialized research under the guidance of an experienced supervisor. Through personalized mentorship and independent scholarship, you’ll build the research, analytical, and communication skills needed for doctoral studies and careers in research, education, government, heritage, and beyond.
Program Highlights
Throughout the program, you will:
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Gain broad historical perspectives: Build a broad understanding of historical scholarship across multiple fields before specializing in your chosen research area under the guidance of a faculty supervisor.
- Research with Experts: Work alongside active historians whose research spans Canadian, Indigenous, Environmental, Military, Gender, Political, Public, European, American, and International History.
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Receive personalized faculty supervision: Develop your research alongside a faculty supervisor whose expertise aligns with your academic interests, receiving personalized mentorship throughout your degree.
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Lead independent research: Conduct independent research that contributes to historical scholarship while developing advanced research, writing, and analytical skills.
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Join an Active Research Community: This includes participating in graduate seminars, conferences, and opportunities to work alongside faculty on ongoing research initiatives.
Program Structure
Program Type
MRP Route
Full-time Length: 1 year
Flex-time Length: Up to 3 years
Students in the Master of Arts in History program take compulsory seminars in four of the five following areas each year. These are also areas in which the expertise of our Faculty allows us to supervise Major Research Papers.
International History: Our international history concentration offers three major areas of focus. The first analyzes the history of the Cold War, the second the study of international law and war crimes tribunals. The third focuses on foreign policy and international relations, specifically in Great Britain, the United States, the Soviet Union, Germany, France, and Canada.
Gender History: Our gender history concentration investigates gender in a range of contexts across historical periods and geographic boundaries. Scholars examine the impact of constructions of gender on work, family relations, religion, the military, and sexuality.
Canadian History: For any given period from colonial times to the present, the Canadian course will focus on a theme relevant to today’s world such as the state and resource development, the environment and food, the family, oral history, colonization, and decolonization.
European History: Our European history concentration examines Europe from the medieval to the modern era. Our faculty have expertise in the national histories of Britain, Germany, and Russia, as well as topics such as war and society, the Holocaust and comparative genocide studies, military history, and the history of medieval Europe.
Environmental History: Explore environmental history as a sub-field of history, focusing on the challenge it poses to other, human-centered subfields of history, as well as its links to historical geography and the environmental sciences.
Find Programs & Degree Requirements
These links give information on required credits and degree requirements.
Graduate Student Funding
Financial Aid, Scholarships, Bursaries & Awards
Funding is available to graduate students from both internal and external sources. Internal funding includes teaching/research assistantships, faculty research grants, and Nipissing Graduate Scholarships.
Meet our Faculty
Discover where studying history can take you
Our History faculty is small, supportive, and committed to student success. We encourage students to connect with professors through office hours, collaborate on ideas, and become active members of our academic community. Our faculty are accomplished scholars and dedicated teachers who bring their expertise directly into the classroom.
Dr. Hilary Earl
Professor / Faculty of Arts and Science
One example is Professor Hilary Earl, an internationally recognized scholar of the Holocaust, genocide, and war crimes trials. Her award-winning research explores state violence, perpetrator testimony, and the pursuit of justice after mass atrocities. As the author of Murder on the Beach: A Holocaust Atrocity Story and producer of the documentary Šķēde – Murder on the Beach, Professor Earl brings cutting-edge research and real-world impact into her teaching.
Resources
Program Related
Admission Requirements
To qualify for admission, students must have a four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent as recognized by Nipissing University in an appropriate discipline, with a minimum B standing.
To find specific requirements details, use the buttons below
Future Careers
Graduates emerge with advanced research and writing capabilities suited for roles such as:
- Historical researcher, curator, heritage and museum professional
- Policy analyst, governmental or NGO advisor
- University-level teaching or preparation for doctoral studies
- Positions in business, environmental and cultural sectors where historical insight is valued
Graduates are well equipped to contribute to scholarship, policy, and public understanding—locally, nationally, and internationally.
Real People, Real Impact
The program challenged me to think critically about the past while building skills I use every day in my career. The faculty were incredibly supportive and genuinely invested in my research.
Sarah L.
Class of 2022
I came in with a general interest and left with a clear research focus and the confidence to pursue a PhD. The small cohort made it easy to connect and collaborate.
Ryan M.
Class of 2021
Find a Supervisor
Access our comprehensive guide with advice, best practices, and actionable steps for finding the right supervisor.
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Notes:
Flex-time available for MRP route only. Flex-time is how Graduate Studies refers to part-time student.
Disclaimer:
While every effort is made to ensure accuracy on this site, in the event of a discrepancy, Nipissing’s Academic Calendar is the official reference.