History, M.A.

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Objective

The Masters of Arts in History is designed for students who plan to teach in middle schools, high schools, or community colleges; for students who plan careers in public service, public policy and foreign affairs, public history; and for students who contemplate pursuing further scholarly activities. It is a useful adjunct for persons with careers in theology and law; in library science; in journalism and news management; and in government, business and industry, and administration.

Admission

For unconditional admission, applicants must have: (1) a minimum of 24 semester hours of undergraduate history courses; and (2) earned not less than 3.0 in history courses and overall GPA.

For conditional admission, applicants must have earned not less than an undergraduate scholastic average of 2.5 in history and overall GPA.

General Requirements

Candidates for the M.A. degree in History must complete a minimum of thirty (30) credit hours, twenty-four (24) of which should be in History, pass a written comprehensive examination and submit an acceptably written thesis.

Other Requirements

HIST 598 - Historiography and Historical Methods 3 Credits
A Supervised Research, or a Seminar course in History 3 credits.
HIST 799 - Thesis Seminar 3 Credits

Total: 30 Credit Hours

The remaining 21 credits may be taken by following the student’s approved program or study. Up to 6 hours in electives may be taken in other disciplines with the advisor’s approval.

M.A. Comprehensive Examination Guidelines

Students must take the comprehensive examination for either the M.A. (thesis or non-thesis degree option) in History or the M.A. in African American Studies after completing a minimum of 18 credit hours with at least 12 of the credit hours in History. In the fall, the examination is given during the first or second week in November. In the spring, the examination is given during the first or second week in March. Students should inform the Graduate Coordinator at the beginning of the semester in which they plan to take the examination, so that the Graduate Coordinator can contact them about the examination dates and the nature of the questions on the examination. Students must also register to take the examination with the Graduate School.