"I can safely say that the MA program is a wonderful community of young scholars who help each other, and that it has been a major source of comfort and community for me personally as I begin my journey through academia. Both the faculty and the other MA students have been incredible in every way."
Kenneth Cordasco, MA 2026
“The M.A. in Global & Comparative History was nothing short of a seminal experience in my academic career. I developed an array of professional skills essential to my development as a scholar, and greatly expanded my understanding across a number of subfields. Moreover, the departmental faculty went above and beyond in helping me reach my professional goals and refine my skillset as a historian. The combination of rigorous coursework and supervision created a rich graduate school experience and one that continues to serve me well as a PhD student."
Andrew Bruno, MA 2024
The History Department at the New Brunswick Campus has a deep and sustained commitment to teaching and research in global and comparative history. Globally-focused courses have long formed a significant part of the History undergraduate major and have flourished as a minor field in our Ph.D. program. The Global and Comparative History M.A. program makes available the scholarly excellence of the department and the faculty’s commitment to teaching and advising to students seeking a master’s degree.
Many courses are scheduled in the late afternoon or evening to accommodate teachers and others who are employed full- or part-time. Classes are upper-level and small, which facilitates extensive interaction between faculty and students and among students with different field emphases and career objectives. The Rutgers University master’s degree program in Global and Comparative History is designed to serve students with a variety of objectives, taking into account the needs and interests of each individual.
For Educators
High school and middle school teachers will find that the Global and Comparative History master’s degree enhances the depth and range of their knowledge of the history of major regions and societies, and of the processes that have increasingly connected them worldwide. Emphasizing flexibility with regards to individual students’ experiences and needs (particularly evening courses), the program offers a broad range of courses oriented to the needs of working teachers.
Teachers in New Jersey Public schools can usually get reimbursement for courses taken at Rutgers and salary guide enhancements for additional coursework. Some coursework may count towards certification renewal/professional development. Teachers may enroll in Rutgers courses as non-degree students if they cannot commit to a full MA degree. These benefits vary widely between districts so please make sure you contact your local district HR or union rep to confirm procedures for getting credit or reimbursement for these courses.
For Students Interested in Pursuing a Ph.D.
For students whose objective is to strengthen their ability to compete for admission to Ph.D. programs in history or related disciplines, the Global and Comparative M.A. provides an exceptional bridge towards that goal. A primary objective of the Global and Comparative History program is to allow non-traditional students and those shifting from other disciplines to gain skills, research experience, and scholarly networks so that they become compelling applicants for competitive Ph.D. programs. The M.A. program is closely intertwined with the department's Ph.D. program: students will routinely be in classes with doctoral students, and obtain a clear sense of what is entailed in a doctoral degree. We provide detailed guidance and workshops to help enhance students Ph.D. applications.
For Students Interested in Public History and Community Engagement
The MA program caters to students interested in pursuing careers in museums, non-profits, and historically informed work in government. Students can take courses in public history, cultural heritage, as well as enroll in internships in public history for course credit. Students may also complete the Public Humanities Graduate Certificate as part of their degree program. Students interested in public engagement work will also have opportunities to work with the department's centers focused on public scholarship like the Rutgers Oral History Archives and the Thomas A. Edison Papers.
For Rutgers Employees, Spouses and others interested in History
Current Rutgers employees and their spouses can enroll in the MA and/or take classes in our program tuition free (with certain conditions). Courses in the program are open to students enrolled in the combined five-year BA-M.Ed. Program at the Graduate School of Education, graduate students in other disciplines at Rutgers, visiting Fulbright students, as well as individuals seeking to earn graduate credits while enriching their knowledge of historical scholarship. These advanced courses also admit, with permission of their instructors, talented upper-level undergraduate students who would like graduate level historical coursework.