Applying to and Enrolling in the MA Program

Applying and Enrolling

Start your application here. Read below for guidance on how to apply to and enroll in the MA in American History. Educators affiliated with the Gilder Lehrman Institute are eligible to join the program.

 

Upcoming Summer 2025 Semester Deadlines

  • Course Registration Begins: Monday, March 24, 2025
  • Applications End: Thursday, May 15, 2025 (Summer I) and Thursday, June 26, 2025 (Summer II)
  • Courses Start: Thursday, May 29, 2025 (Summer I) and Thursday, July 10, 2025 (Summer II)
  • Course Registration Ends: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 (Summer I) and Wednesday, July 17, 2025 (Summer II)
Photograph of Lincoln Statue on Gettysburg Campus

Table of Contents:

Eligibility: Who Can Apply to and Enroll in This Degree Program?

Close View of Abraham Lincoln Statue on Gettysburg Campus

Eligibility Requirements

  • You must have a bachelor’s degree.
  • You are a K–12 educator (including teachers, district supervisors, librarians, museum professionals, and National Park Service employees).
  • You are affiliated with the Gilder Lehrman Institute.*

*If you are a K–12 educator who is not affiliated with a particular school (for instance, if you’re a retired, substitute, temporary, or part-time teacher), you may be eligible to participate in this program. Please email maprogram@gilderlehrman.org for more details.

Applying: What You Will Need to Provide

Unofficial Transcripts

Unofficial Transcripts

When you apply, you will need to provide unofficial* transcripts from all post-secondary, degree-granting institutions from which you have received a degree. 

*Upon acceptance, you will need to provide official transcripts in order to enroll. You will receive instructions on how to have these sent to Gettysburg College.

Gilder Lehrman Letter of Affiliation

Gilder Lehrman Letter of Affiliation

Please log in to access this letter documenting your affiliation with the Gilder Lehrman Institute.

Log in

Letter of Intent

Letter of Intent

In one page, briefly tell us

  • Who you are
  • Why you are applying to this program
  • What you will contribute to the program

We look forward to getting to know you!

Resume

Resume

A 1–3-page resume highlighting your educational achievements and relevant work experience

English Proficiency Test Scores (If Applicable)

English Proficiency Test Scores

If you have not completed a degree at a college or university where English was the primary language of instruction, you will need to submit English proficiency test scores. We accept the following tests:

Applying: Navigating the Admissions Portal

If you need assistance navigating the admissions portal, please scroll to the interactive tutorial below or download the same information as a pdf.

Start Your Application

Enrolling in the Program

An admissions decision is typically made within four to six weeks following Gettysburg College’s receipt of all application materials. Once you are accepted, you will be able to enroll in the program.

User ID and Email Address

Gettysburg College User ID and Email Address

When your application is reviewed, the Gettysburg College Graduate Admissions Office will email you a link to your application status page. In your acceptance letter, which can be found on the status page, you will be directed to fill out a form acknowledging that you will enroll in the program. You will then receive your Gettysburg account credentials over email.*

*It can take up to 10 days for your credentials to be created. If you are not starting in the upcoming term, you will not receive your credentials until closer to your start date.

Online Checklist

Complete the Checklist in the Dashboard

With your user ID you can now complete the online checklist* in the Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman Dashboard.

Dashboard

*You must finish this at least one week before the start of classes; it will take approximately fifteen minutes.

Online Orientation

Complete Your Orientation on Moodle

In addition to the onboarding Dashboard, you will also gain access to the MA in American History Orientation and Resource Module* on the learning platform Moodle.

Moodle

*This module will allow you to become familiar with the online platform you will use while in the MA program.

Course Registration

Where to Register for Your Courses

Log in to the Campus Experience platform.* Section professors will appear in the course catalog alongside the lab section once they are assigned.

Campus Experience

*Follow these instructions to register for courses. Please note that there is a hold on registering for more than two courses. Email the registrar’s office at registrar@gettysburg.edu if you would like to lift the hold.

Pay Tuition

How to Pay Your Tuition

In addition to registering for courses, you can also pay your tuition on the Campus Experience platform.*

Campus Experience

*Follow these instructions to pay your tuition. 

Course Access

How to Access Your Courses

Gettysburg College uses the online learning platform Moodle, also known as OpenLMS. Two days before the start of the term, you will gain access to a lecture* and a lab** section for your course.

Moodle

*The lecture section houses the lectures and links to the live Q&A sessions.
**The lab section is where you submit assignments and interact with your section professor and other students.