MA in History

Admission to the MA program in history requires completion of an undergraduate major in history, or a minimum of 18 hours of history; a grade point average of 2.750 or better, including all undergraduate hours, and a 3.000 grade point average in history. Under unusual circumstances applicants with less than a 3.000 average in history may be granted a probationary admission. Applicants must submit a one page Statement of Purpose, and a writing sample of no more than 20 pages to the graduate coordinator. International students are required to have a minimum TOEFL score of 600 paper-based, or 100 Internet-based, or an overall band score of 7.5 on the IELTS, or a score of 73 on the PTE-Academic. The application deadline for domestic and U.S. resident students for fall admission is March 15, and October 1 for spring admission. For international students, the deadlines are April 1 and August 1, respectively.

Program Requirements

Students may follow one of three plans for a graduate degree in history: a thesis program, a nonthesis program, and a program in local and community history.

Thesis Program

HIST 725Advanced Historical Methods3
HIST 727Readings In History3
Select 9 credit hours of the following:9
HIST 730
Seminar American History
HIST 733
Seminar European History
Select 12 credit hours of HIST 500- and 600-level courses12
HIST 801Thesis Research2
HIST 802Thesis2
Total Credit Hours31

At least one seminar and one lecture-based course must be taken outside of the student’s primary comprehensive field.

Students must pass a foreign language competency examination, pass a written examination in one comprehensive field, and pass an oral examination in defense of the thesis. The written examination must precede the oral examination.

Nonthesis Program

HIST 725Advanced Historical Methods3
Select 6 credit hours of the following:6
HIST 727
Readings In History
Select 12 credit hours of the following:12
HIST 730
Seminar American History
HIST 733
Seminar European History
Select 12 credit hours of HIST 500- and 600-level courses12
Total Credit Hours33

Students must pass written examinations in two comprehensive fields.

Comprehensive Fields

Students may select from the following areas for their comprehensive examinations:

  • U.S. History
  • The Ancient and Medieval Worlds
  • Modern Europe
  • Public History
  • Local and Community History

Written examinations will be scheduled to take place during a two week period following the spring and fall breaks.