History, M.A.
Degree Requirements (30 Hours)
The M.A. in History is offered in the following fields:
- Ancient world
- Medieval world
- Early modern Europe
- Modern Europe
- History of culture, identity, and economic development
- History of science, technology, and environment
- Middle East
- East Asia
- Latin America
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- U.S. to 1877
- U.S. since 1789.
Candidates for the M.A. degree shall file a program of study during their first semester of study and in no case later than 12 months after entering the program.
Candidates for the M.A. in History take a minimum of 30 semester hours, of which not more than 6 hours are for the thesis.
Course selection must take into account the Graduate School regulation for the M.A. that “at least half of the credit hours on the Program of Study, exclusive of thesis preparation (799), must be earned in courses numbered 700 and above.
Credit hours shall be distributed as follows:
Four Reading Seminars in the Major Field of Study (12 Hours)
These seminars should be at the HIST 500-797 levels. Students with a major field in U.S. History must take two of the following three courses:
These courses must have advisor approval.
Required Introductory Course (3 Hours)
Required of all entering M.A. students.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 720 | Introduction to the Study of History | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 3 | |
800-level Research Seminar (3 Hours)
At least one is required.
Additional Coursework in a Second Field (9 Hours)
Thesis Preparation (3 Hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 799 | Thesis Preparation | 1-9 |
| Total Credit Hours | 1-9 | |
Additional Information
A reading knowledge of one foreign language or competence in an appropriate methodology is required. Choice of the latter must be approved by the Graduate Committee.
The M.A. thesis will be an expanded version of the student’s 800-level research seminar paper, revised to the standard of a potentially publishable article-length essay. Normally, students will submit the thesis in the semester after completion of the 800-level research seminar paper, but students who complete their 800-level seminar in their first year may petition the Graduate Committee to submit their thesis during their final semester in the M.A. program. The thesis must be submitted in accordance with the regulations of The Graduate School.
Following successful completion of an 800-level research seminar, students will take an oral comprehensive examination on their thesis. In this examination, students will be asked to place their thesis in historiographic perspective. Normally, students will take the comprehensive examination in the semester after they complete an 800-level seminar. However, students who complete an 800-level seminar in their first year may petition the Graduate Committee to take their M.A. examination during their final semester in the program.