History - M.A. and Ph.D. Download to print

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in History consists of three concentrations: History, Public History and History for Teachers.

The Master of Arts in History offers students the opportunity for advanced study in a variety of areas. Coursework emphasizes interpretation, methodology and original research. Students who anticipate continuing their graduate study beyond the M.A. should pursue one of the thesis tracks; non-thesis options are available for those who do not expect to go on to doctoral work.

Public History prepares students for work in museums, historical societies, business and wherever the expertise of a professional historian is needed. The interdisciplinary program includes at least one internship.

History for Teachers is for teachers interested in advanced study of history. Coursework is focused on current scholarship and approaches to history, and while it is not a degree in history pedagogy, it is designed to encourage the application of current historical scholarship to the work responsibilities of the practicing teacher. The program provides school professionals with a structured but flexible approach to analyzing and teaching history while permitting interdisciplinary work in related fields or areas particularly relevant to students' professional objectives.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in History prepares students to become professional scholars, college and university teachers and independent researchers in private or public research institutions.

Official transcript(s); GRE; statement of purpose describing professional objectives and proposed field of study; significant piece of written work; and three letters of recommendation (preferably academic). The Ph.D. also requires an M.A. in History or related discipline. For more information about graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate Studies website.

M.A.: Minimum 33 total credit hours; all students must successfully complete History 61001 and 61002. Students selecting a thesis option must demonstrate a reading knowledge of one or more foreign languages if their advisers determine that it is necessary for research.

Ph.D.: Minimum 60 total credit hours; all students must successfully complete HIST 71005. All students must demonstrate reading knowledge of a foreign language.

M.A. History

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Analyze primary sources (texts, artifacts, images).  MA students will be able to locate, assess, and analyze primary sources and incorporate those sources into original historical research projects.  They should be able to do this with a high level of proficiency (not at the PhD level, but more sophisticated than at the BA level).
2. Conceptualize, research and write book reviews, annotated bibliographical essays, historiographical essays and research papers. Course grades help to measure student performance (only work of B or better is considered "passing" at the graduate level). Any students whose grades are deficient are dismissed. The culmination of the program's writing component for those students intending to go on to doctoral work is the completion of a substantial thesis based on original primary-source research and the oral defense of that thesis.
3. Dissect secondary sources in a variety of areas of historical specialization and participate actively and positively in class discussions of those sources. They will be able to complete various kinds of writing assignments--book reviews, comparative review essays, historiographical pieces. They will understand that interpretation is one of the foundations of graduate-level study in the discipline, and will be able to offer their own interpretations of work both orally and in writing.

Ph.D. History

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Dissect secondary sources in a variety of areas of historical specialization and participate actively and positively in class discussions of those sources. They will be able to construct effective and analytical book reviews, comparative review essays, and historiographical pieces. Students will demonstrate a high level of proficiency in these, particularly when it comes to integrating various historical works together into an analytical/argumentative whole. As doctoral students, they will be able to form their own judgements about secondary historical works and the historiographical field of which they are part.
2. Analyze primary sources (texts, artifacts, images) in a sophisticated manner. They will be able to integrate these sources with secondary sources in order to make an original historical argument.
3. Demonstrate an ability to conceptualize, research, and write book reviews, annotated bibliographical essays, historiographical essays, and seminar papers. Course grades help to measure student performance (only work of B or better is considered "passing" at the graduate level.)  And students whose grades are deficient are dismissed. In order to finish the program, students will demonstrate the ability to perform historical research and write effectively in the dissertation, a significant piece of original scholarship with potential for publication.

Ph.D.: After completing all of the requirements, the student takes written and oral examinations in the three elected fields of history.