U.S. History Certificate Overview
Discover the Rich Pageantry of American History
Become an expert in the people, places, events and ideas of the American experience with Ashland's Graduate Certificate in United States History. The program is designed for secondary school teachers, public policy professionals, legislative and executive staffers, museum or historical society curators and others with a personal or professional interest in the history of the United States.
Improve your Teaching and your Professional Marketability
With many states and school districts now offering College Credit Plus (CCP) programs—college-level courses taught on high school campuses—teachers need courses that can prepare them for the challenge of college-level instruction. Whether your state calls it College Credit Plus, Dual Enrollment, Dual Credit, Postsecondary Education Option or by another name, Ashland’s Graduate Certificate Program in United States History is suitable for secondary school teachers who already hold a graduate degree in another field, but want to become qualified to teach postsecondary courses in U.S. history.
Sample Curriculum
For additional information about the U.S. History Certificate curriculum, view the Academic Catalog.
Choose any 9 courses from the following:
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 501 | The American Revolution | 2 |
| HIST 502 | The American Founding | 2 |
| HIST 503 | Sectionalism and Civil War | 2 |
| HIST 505 | The Progressive Era | 2 |
| HIST 506 | The Rise of Modern America | 2 |
| HIST 507 | Lincoln | 2 |
| HIST 510* | Great American Texts | 2 |
| HIST 602 | European Discovery and Settlement | 2 |
| HIST 603 | Colonial America | 2 |
| HIST 604 | The Early Republic | 2 |
| HIST 605 | The Age of Enterprise | 2 |
| HIST 607 | Cold War America | 2 |
| HIST 608 | Civil War and Reconstruction | 2 |
| HIST 609 | World War II | 2 |
| HIST 610* | American Foreign Policy | 2 |
| HIST 611* | The American Way of War | 2 |
| HIST 613 | Postwar America, 1945-1973 | 2 |
| HIST 614 | Contemporary America, 1974-present | 2 |
| HIST 630* | American Statesmen | 2 |
| POLSC 660 | Topics in American History and Government | 2 |
* Specific subject matter covered in these courses varies, so each may be taken more than once with the permission of the chair. However, each must include significant attention to U.S. history in order to count toward this certificate.
Who Should Apply?
- Secondary school teachers with a master's degree in another field who seek to become qualified to teach postsecondary courses in history.
- Those with a master's degree in another field who seek to teach undergraduate courses on an adjunct basis.
- Legislative or other local, state or federal government staffers and others interested in improving their knowledge of United States history.
- Anyone with a personal or professional interest in American history.
A Note for Those Seeking to Teach at the Postsecondary Level
In higher education, hiring institutions determine the qualifications required for potential instructors. Typically, this is a master’s degree in the subject area to be taught OR a master’s degree in any field plus 18 hours in the subject area. Consult the hiring institution for their exact requirements. We strongly encourage you to contact your school district's higher education partner or a potential employer for guidance before you begin your studies.
While the certificate program is open to anyone with a bachelor's degree or higher, it is unlikely that your bachelor's degree plus this certificate will qualify you to teach postsecondary courses. Our Master of Arts program in American History and Government, however, can prepare you for that opportunity.
Getting Started with College Credit Plus
In higher education, hiring institutions determine the qualifications required for potential instructors. Typically, this is a master’s degree in the subject area to be taught OR a master’s degree in any field plus 18 hours in the subject area. Consult the hiring institution for their exact requirements. We strongly encourage you to contact the community college your school district has partnered with before you begin your studies.
Looking to earn a master’s degree to be qualified to teach College Credit Plus courses?
K-12 teachers who want to be qualified to teach college-level courses on a high school campus or as an adjunct instructor at a community college can choose either the M.A. in American History and Government or the M.A. with a Specialization in Teaching American History and Government. It’s a good idea to contact the hiring institution to determine exactly which Ashland courses will best prepare you to become an adjunct instructor.
Learn more about Ashland's Master of Arts in American History and Government and Master of Arts with a Specialization in Teaching American History and Government degree programs today.
Already have a master’s degree in education or another field?
If you already have a Master of Education or similar degree, you may be able to qualify as a College Credit Plus instructor by taking graduate courses in American history or government. Please contact the hiring institution to determine exactly which Ashland courses will best prepare you to become an adjunct instructor.
Enrolling on a non-degree basis is easy. View the schedule of upcoming courses. When you are ready to enroll, apply online for admission as a College Credit Plus/Dual-Enrollment student.
Planning Your College Credit Plus Curriculum
Your College Credit Plus program should be guided by the college-level subjects you plan to teach. The College Credit Plus pathway for an adjunct history instructor will be a little different from a government instructor. Our faculty advisors are available to work with you, your administration and your district's higher education partner to find the right courses for you.
To help you get started, we've created a list of suggested courses for future history instructors and those suggested for future government instructors. We strongly suggest choosing courses in consultation with the community college where you will work. Have questions about our courses or need sample syllabi? Feel free to contact us at mahg@ashland.edu or 419-289-5411.