Master of Arts in History
Graduate Program Chair
Daniel Sarefield, PhD
Graduate Committee
Laura Baker, PhD
Christine Dee, PhD
Katherine Jewell, PhD
Benjamin Lieberman, PhD
John Paul, PhD
René Reeves, PhD
Teresa Fava Thomas, PhD
Joseph Wachtel, PhD
Program Objectives
The Master of Arts (MA) in History Program is designed for students pursuing careers in historical research, public history writing, postsecondary level teaching, and for secondary teachers pursuing advanced study in history. The MA in History offers two tracks, a thesis track and a non-thesis track.
Program Description
Students in the MA in History Program must complete thirty semester hours of graduate-level history coursework, including HIST 7450 - Historiography. The coursework may be completed 100% online for students who prefer the convenience and flexibility that online courses offer, but institute courses are also offered during the summer terms as a value-added option. The institute courses provide graduate coursework in a hybrid platform, with a short-duration (1 or 2 week) face-to-face component and the remainder of the course completed online.
The curriculum for the MA in History aims to:
• Promote graduate-level historical scholarship.
• Facilitate the development of a wide range of historical skills and knowledge, including a global perspective.
Admissions Standards and Criteria
To apply for admission to the MA in History program, students must submit documents as outlined in the graduate admissions section of the catalog as well as:
- An official transcript of a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, preferably with (but not limited to) a major or minor in history. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0 is required.
- A writing sample. This may include an undergraduate level term paper or a published article and should be the equivalent of at least 10 typed, doubled-spaced pages and include footnotes and a bibliography.
Note: Applicants with inadequate preparation in history may be required to take undergraduate courses in history prior to admission.
Program Requirements
The MA in History Program requires thirty semester hours of graduate-level history coursework. There are two tracks, a thesis track and a non-thesis track. Following the completion of their other coursework, thesis track students must complete six credit hours of HIST 9100 - Thesis in History and a Master’s thesis under the direction of their thesis adviser, and complete a thesis defense. Non-thesis track students must complete a comprehensive exit examination. Details regarding advancement to candidacy are available from the Graduate Program Chair.
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