Master of Arts Degree in History

Degree Requirements

Two options are available to graduate students under the program. Option I requires 24 hours of directed coursework and six hours of thesis preparation. Option II requires 36 hours of directed coursework and two comprehensive examinations. Students will select from either Option I or Option II. 

Option I: Thesis Option
Students enrolled in Option I will be required to take 18 hours of history coursework, including HIST 6300, six hours of non-history coursework in a single discipline (anthropology, sociology, computer science, etc.), and six hours of thesis preparation. The thesis will be evaluated using current departmental guidelines.

 Option II: Non-Thesis Option
Students enrolled in Option II will be required to take 30 hours of 5000/6000-level history coursework, including HIST 6300, and six hours of non-history coursework in a single discipline (anthropology, sociology, computer science, etc.). The student will choose two reading areas in consultation with the graduate advisor and will be expected to take comprehensive examinations in both. The questions for the comprehensive examinations will be based on readings contained in department-approved lists of works in those particular areas.

 Related Academic Areas
Related academic areas will include, but are not limited to, Political Science, English, Spanish, Economics, Anthropology, Computer Science and Sociology. Students will confirm their choice of a related academic area with the graduate advisor.

Master of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies

Departmental Requirements

Before admission to candidacy by the Department of History, applicants must have completed, or must complete as leveling work, 24 hours of undergraduate history courses, half of which must be at the upper-division level. Full-time graduate students, who must meet the above requirements, should take up to nine hours of such leveling work while taking a limited number of graduate hours. Graduate history majors are required to consult with the departmental graduate advisor concerning coursework and schedules until admitted to candidacy. Candidates may elect one of two options to complete the Master of Arts degree in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in history.

 Option I: Thesis Option
Thirty hours with 18 hours in history, including the thesis, which is required. Candidates must select the remaining 12 hours from two or more related fields such as political science, sociology, English, economics, Spanish, education or business.

 Option II: Non-Thesis Option
Thirty six hours with 12-18 hours in history. Candidates must select the remaining 18-24 hours from two or more related fields. Candidates must also pass a comprehensive examination administered by the department.

 MAIS Degree Requirements

Concentration in History: Thesis Option
Major Requirements
Eighteen hours of graduate-level coursework in history with no more than half at the 5000-level, including six hours of thesis, and 12 hours in two or more related areas. HIST 6300 is required of all students.

Required Courses

HIST 6300 Historiography and Historical Method
HIST 7300 Thesis
HIST 7301 Thesis

TOTAL 30 hours

Concentration in History: Non-Thesis Option
Major Requirements
Eighteen hours in 5000- and 6000-level history classes without thesis with no more than half at the 5000-level and 18 hours in two or more related areas, with not more than 12 hours from education and business.

Required Course

HIST 6300 Historiography and Historical Method

TOTAL 36 hours