All students must meet the Requirements for the Master's Degree.
Overview
The Department of History offers a comprehensive program of courses in the history of the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa, and in global and comparative studies. At the graduate level, students develop broad historical knowledge and acquire training in historical interpretation and methods. Students may pursue the M.A. on either a part-time or full-time basis. Additional details about our faculty and current course offerings can be found on the department website.
Specific Requirements
Minimum Degree Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts
| Requirement Description | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Option A (Portfolio) | ||
| HST 5050 | Graduate Historiography | 3 |
| HST 6050 | Research Methods | 3 |
| HST 6993 | Independent Study | 3 |
| 18 additional credits at the 5000-level or above | 18 | |
| 3 additional credits at the 6000-level or above | 3 | |
| Successful completion of the comprehensive examination | ||
| Successful compilation of a portfolio of work demonstrating the student’s thematic and methodological proficiencies | ||
| Option B (Expanded Essay) | ||
| HST 5050 | Graduate Historiography | 3 |
| HST 6050 | Research Methods | 3 |
| HST 6993 | Independent Study | 3 |
| or HST 6390 | Expanded Essay Seminar | |
| 18 additional credits at the 5000-level or above | 18 | |
| 3 additional credits at the 6000-level or above | 3 | |
| Successful completion of the comprehensive examination | ||
| Successful completion and defense of the Expanded Essay | ||
| Option C (Thesis) | ||
| HST 5050 | Graduate Historiography | 3 |
| HST 6050 | Research Methods | 3 |
| HST 6391 | Master's Thesis Research | 6 |
| 15 additional credits at the 5000-level or above | 15 | |
| 3 additional credits at the 6000-level or above | 6 | |
| Successful completion of the comprehensive examination | ||
| Successful completion and defense of the master’s thesis | ||
All students enrolled in the M.A. program are required to take HST 5050 during their first semester and HST 6050 during their second semester. Students may complete one independent study course that involves the creation of an individualized reading list and regular meetings with an instructor appointed to the graduate faculty. Students who earn a grade of A- or better grade in an independent study course may petition the Director of Graduate Studies to be allowed to take a second independent study course. With the consent of the student’s advisor, 6 credits of the required course work for the M.A. may be taken in related fields outside of the history department. Students must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.30 (B+) each semester. Students failing to maintain this average will be dismissed from the program.
Comprehensive Examination
All graduate students must pass a comprehensive examination in a field of specialization, to be defined in consultation with the primary faculty advisor.
The examination requires students to provide a comprehensive analysis of major themes and problems in their field of historical specialization, including attention to historiography and interpretive problems. The examination may take 1 of several forms, to be determined by the faculty advisor in consultation with the student and the director of graduate studies. Options include: a timed written examination; an oral examination; a take-home essay; a historiographical review undertaken as part of the student’s master’s thesis; an annotated syllabus or detailed lesson plans for a field of study. Exams will be assessed by the primary faculty advisor and a second faculty member.
Candidates whose initial efforts are not judged satisfactory may re- take the exam. In most instances, reexamination will occur within 1 month. Students failing the examination twice will be dismissed from the program.
The exam should take place by the end of the student’s third semester in the graduate program. Students may petition the director of graduate studies to take the exam in the fourth semester.
Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Master of Arts
Completion of the above requirements.