Teaching American History:

Masters Degree Program

WELCOME!

Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the Department of History are pleased to announce the renewal of an innovative program of study for teachers of American History.  Funded by a renewed grant from the United States Department of Education, the Teaching American History Program will allow twenty more Miami-Dade County Public School teachers to earn their Master’s Degree in History from FIU.  Beginning in the Fall 2010 semester and over the next three years, students accepted into the program will complete a special curriculum of classes in American History, taken during the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. Students in the program will receive financial assistance toward their credit-hours and books. The classes are designed especially with the needs of public school teachers in mind.  You will find a proposed curriculum below.

For more information on the Teaching American History Program generally, please go to:

http://www.ed.gov/programs/teachinghistory/index.html

If you are a teacher in Miami-Dade County public schools who teaches American history in 8th or 11th grade, and would like to apply for this program, please follow the instructions below.

Eligibility

Only Miami-Dade Public School teachers who teach American History (8th or 11th grade) in a non-charter school are eligible for this program. Priority will be given to candidates who work in schools that have not met AYP. Students who are accepted must begin the program in August 2010.

Deadline

Please complete the section of the application to send to the TAH director by January 15, 2010, and complete the entire application process no later than March 1, 2010.  You may ignore other deadlines for application found in the graduate catalogue if you are applying to this program. If you are accepted into the program, you will be contacted after June 1 with sufficient time to enroll for the Fall semester.  Please check back on this page for updated enrollment information if you are accepted.

Requirements

·  By January 15: Send a personal statement explaining your interest in the program and specifying your qualifications, background, experience, and areas of interest.  Include your email address, telephone number, and a mailing address. Send the personal statement to the TAH Program only.
·  By January 15: Provide one letter of recommendation.  Please instruct your recommender that this letter should evaluate your preparation in history studies as well as your chances for success in a graduate history program.  Send recommendation letter to the TAH Program only.
·  By January 15: Provide a copy of your official undergraduate transcript(s).  One copy must be sent to the TAH Program by January 15, the other to the University Graduate School's Office of Admissions, Florida International University, University Park, Miami, FL 33199 by March 1 . Note that acceptance to the History MA program normally requires an undergraduate GPA of 3.00, a GPA in history classes of 3.25 and 12 undergraduate hours of history and/or cognate fields (political science, geography, etc.).

MAIL ITEMS TO:
Teaching American History Program
Department of History
Florida International University
University Park
Miami, FL 33199

You will also need to submit a University Graduate School Application by March 1, which involves:

1. The official university application form, which can be completed on line
2. Transcripts from any and all post-secondary institution attended, which should be sent to

Office of Graduate Admission
Florida International University
University Park
Miami, FL 33199

There will be a non-refundable $30.00 application fee for this process. It is very important that you apply to BOTH the TAH Program and through the FIU Graduate School process. Please make sure you apply as an in-state student.

Finalists for the program will be asked to meet with MDCPS and FIU program directors for a personal interview before a final decision on admission.

Financial Aid

The Department of Education grant will fund a portion of tuition and covers the cost of books.  MDPS will also reimburse a portion of the remaining tuition.   Students should expect to pay out of their own pocket fees and other expenses of $150-$200 per 3-credit course.

Proposed Curriculum

Year 1: 2010-2011
1) New World Societies;  2) American Revolution to 1783;  3) Historical Methods

Year 2: 2011-2012
1) American Slavery; 2) The Civil War & Reconstruction; 3) American Reform, 1900-1941

Year 3: 2012-2013
1) American Foreign Policy, from 1898-Vietnam; 2) Race, Class & Politics in the Modern U.S. 3) Research Seminar/Research Paper (6 credits)

Research Paper

All students will be expected to complete and defend a 25-30 page research paper, based on primary sources, in the final research seminar taught in summer 2013. This is the usual exit requirement for all M.A. students in the history program who do not write a thesis. The program will culminate in a one-day conference during which all students can present and defend their research projects.

Contacts

Dr. Ken Lipartito, Co-director, TAH Program, 305 348-1860
Dr. Alex Lichtenstein, Co-director, TAH Program, 305-348-1535
Dr. Gwyn Davies, Director of Graduate Studies, 305 348-3363
Ms. Diana Cox, Graduate Studies Secretary, 305 348-621

Florida International University Department of History • DM 397 • University Park • Miami • FL • 33199
Tel: 305-348-2328 • FAX: 305-348-3561

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