Master of Arts in History

The History Department masters degree program is designed to broaden students' knowledge and to introduce them to extended specialized research. It serves both those seeking a terminal degree and those wanting a solid foundation for further study at the doctoral level. Students may choose to take either a thesis or non-thesis track.

Admission to the program requires

A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a major in history or with a significant background in history
An undergraduate average of "B" or better
Satisfactory scores on the general test of the Graduate Record Examination
Three letters of recommendation

For detailed questions about the program contact Professor Robert Kenzer, history graduate coordinator.

Degree Requirements

The masters program in history consists of 30 hours, distributed as follows:

Thesis Option

History 500 (4hrs) Historiography
An introduction to the variety of approaches and methods used by contemporary historians.
History 501 (2 hrs) Professional preparation
An introduction to the various ways history is used professionally.
History 510, 520, or 530 (4hrs) Core Readings in U.S., European, or World History
Independent reading from a list of leading books in one of these major fields. Culminates in an oral examination.
History 560, 570, or 580 (4hrs) Research seminar in U.S., European, or World History
Focused research in one of these major fields. Topics will vary from semester to semester.
Two electives (8hrs total)
Courses of the student's choice, selected from lecture courses, colloquia, research seminars, or directed study.
History 598-99 (8hrs total) Thesis
Extended research and analysis of primary sources. In the first semester the student will prepare a proposal to present to the thesis committee

Non-Thesis Option

History 500 (4hrs)
History 501 (2 hrs)
History 510, 520, or 530 (4hrs)
Three research seminars (12 hrs total)
Two electives (8 hrs total)
Research Seminars
560 Jim Crow Era
570 Interwar Europe (1918-1939)