History, MA

Program Description

The Master of Arts in history degree program offers courses in all areas of historical study. Emphasis is placed on the history of the United States, particularly the South; Britain, Europe, Russia, Latin America, Asia, and Africa; and on the history of classical and medieval civilizations, science and technology, documentary editing, and archival management.

The MA in history has two objectives that aim to prepare students for history-related careers in teaching, public or government service, law, historical editing, archival management, and business: 1) to increase the student’s knowledge of the areas of history in which he/she wishes to specialize; and 2) to provide the student with skills for performing historical research, analyzing the sources and information gathered, and writing results in an acceptable scholarly essay or thesis.

The student entering the graduate program must be advised on his/her coursework by the graduate program coordinator. New students should contact the graduate coordinator to discuss this soon after they have been admitted. Consultation with the graduate coordinator should continue for the duration of the program.

Summary of Degree Requirements

The MA in history requires 30 credits in courses numbered 6000 or above.

Coursework

1. Three credits in Historiography (HIST 8810 ).

2. Three credits in the Research Workshop (HIST 8900 ).

3. Three credits in Historical Methods (HIST 8000 ).

4. Three credits in Digital Methods for History (HIST 8500 )

5. A minimum of six additional credits in courses numbered between 8000 and 8940 (excluding HIST 8000 , HIST 8500 , HIST 8810 , HIST 8900 , and HIST 8910 ).

6. A minimum of six elective credits, which may be fulfilled in one of three ways:

• By taking two 8000-level seminar courses,
• By taking two 6000-level history courses,
• By taking one 6000-level history course and one independent study course.

7. A minimum of six credits in graduate thesis research (HIST 8910 ).

Additionally, the student must write a thesis acceptable to the department and must demonstrate reading knowledge of a foreign language. A final examination, which may be written or oral or a combination of the two forms, is required of all candidates.