Florida State University

What you'll study

This master's pathway emphasises cultural, intellectual and social history of Europe from roughly the late Antique and medieval eras through the early modern period. Core work combines advanced historiography and research methods with specialised seminars covering topics such as medieval Christianity and monasticism, medieval law and social order, Renaissance humanism, print culture, religious reformations, material culture, gender and family in the premodern world, and the cultural history of science and medicine.

Students take a mixture of seminars and directed reading courses that develop skills in primary-source analysis, palaeography and foreign-language reading relevant to medieval and early modern sources (commonly including Latin and early modern French, German, Spanish or Italian). The programme typically includes a sustained research component—either a supervised thesis or a comprehensive examination and major research paper—supported by research methods training and elective coursework across related fields such as art history, classics, religious studies and book history.

• Advanced historiography and research methods in medieval/early modern history
• Seminars on cultural topics: religion, print culture, intellectual history, gender
• Language training and palaeography for working with original sources
• Archival research practicum and opportunities for internships
• Thesis or major research project demonstrating original scholarship

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised bachelor's degree in history or a closely related discipline. Successful candidates typically present a strong undergraduate record in history courses, a well-crafted statement of purpose outlining research interests in medieval or early modern Europe, and a writing sample that demonstrates analytic and historical research skills.

• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• Academic references (usually two or three) from instructors or supervisors familiar with the applicant's scholarly potential
• A writing sample of unpublished academic work focused on historical analysis
• A clear statement of purpose describing research interests and how faculty strengths match those interests
• Demonstrated foreign-language preparation or a plan for acquiring the languages needed for the chosen research area
• Proof of English proficiency for applicants whose first language is not English (standardised test scores or other accepted documentation)

Applicants without a specialised undergraduate background in medieval or early modern history may be advised to take preparatory coursework or demonstrate comparable experience in related fields. Specific departmental instructions govern options such as thesis versus non-thesis routes and any additional requirements for admission to doctoral study later on.

Career prospects

Graduates with an MA focused on Medieval and Early Modern European Cultural History pursue diverse career pathways. Many continue to doctoral programmes in history or allied humanities fields; others move into professional roles that value advanced research and interpretive skills.

• Doctoral research and academic teaching
• Museum and archival work, including curation and collections management
• Public history positions in historic sites, cultural institutions and heritage organisations
• Library special collections, conservation and records management
• Publishing, editorial roles and research and content development for cultural organisations
• Education, cultural policy and community outreach roles that use historical expertise

Why study at Florida State University

Florida State University's Department of History offers close faculty supervision and a programme that supports archival and primary-source research essential to medieval and early modern studies. Students benefit from access to FSU's research collections, including the Special Collections Research Center and manuscript holdings, which facilitate hands-on palaeographic and codicological work.

The department encourages interdisciplinary collaboration with units such as art history, classics, religious studies and book history, enabling students to approach cultural history from multiple perspectives. Small seminars, regular research workshops, and opportunities to present at departmental events help develop professional skills. Additionally, the university's location and institutional partnerships provide avenues for internships, digitisation projects and public history placements that prepare graduates for a variety of scholarly and professional careers.