Starting in the fall of 2026, Fitchburg State University’s history 4+1 program lets students earn their bachelor’s degree and master’s degrees in history in just five years.
This innovative program saves time and advances students’ careers. Students craft a program that reflects their own interests and personal goals. Whether your interest is in education, law, policy, public history, or media content, the 4+1 history curriculum lets students delve deeply into analysis and interpretation, while gaining the advanced skills that employers and graduate schools value.
"For over three decades, we have offered history master's degrees that emphasize historical knowledge, best practices in research and analysis, and value for our students,” said Professor and Chair of the History Master's Degree Program Christine Dee, of the university’s Economics, History and Political Science Department. “The 4+1 pathway provides our focused and motivated undergraduate students with the opportunity to advance as scholars and accelerate their careers. This is important to students and their families, and it is important to us as an institution. We take pride in providing our students with degrees in history that are flexible and that multiply students' professional opportunities."
This pathway begins in students' junior year when they begin taking graduate courses. Students seamlessly transition into the master’s program upon completion of their bachelor’s degree. Both programs run together in the same department. For students, this means that they receive the same care, attention and quality education that Fitchburg State is known for.
For students who pursue licensure to teach in public schools, this pathway is designed with you in mind. The 4+1 history pathway fits within the secondary education licensure program at Fitchburg State. Licensure students can build their careers as educators earlier, gaining the advanced knowledge that makes them stronger educators in the classroom.
The history master’s degree program is affordable and entirely online. The 4+1 history pathway leading to the history master’s degree is unique, and provides Fitchburg State students with the skills, knowledge and a valuable MA in history. Students succeed then they lead.
The university also offers a number of 4+1 program options.