MA Program

The Department of History has two M.A. programs--a nonthesis plan for individuals who do not expect to pursue a Ph.D. in history and a thesis plan for those who do.

Admission
Admission to the M.A. program requires a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with at least a 3.0 average, 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours in history, excellent Graduate Record Examination scores, and three letters of recommendation. Applicants should also submit a brief (300-500 word) statement of purpose and a writing sample, preferably a term paper or similar project that demonstrates ability to express oneself and engage in advanced historical research.

Fall Quarter admission is recommended, since classes are offered in sequential order and Fall Quarter applicants have priority for funding.  The deadline to apply for Fall admission is February 1.  If you choose to start in another quarter the deadline is at least six weeks prior to the start of the quarter.

The History Department's Graduate Committee will make decisions on admission in early March. Candidates will be notified of those decisions shortly afterward.

Nonthesis Option
A student who chooses the nonthesis option must complete ten graduate-level courses and a two-quarter research seminar. At the end of the program the student takes comprehensive written examinations in two major fields, based on the student's coursework in those fields.

Thesis Option
A student should choose the thesis option if he or she intends to pursue a Ph.D. or some other form of advanced graduate training.

The thesis option requires the completion of eight graduate-level courses, a two-quarter research seminar, and a thesis. A student must choose a major (four courses) and a minor (two courses) from the following fields:
United States
Modern Europe
Early Modern Europe
Ancient and Medieval
Balkans and Middle East
Latin America
Africa
Southeast Asia
East Asia

Language Requirement
There is no language requirement under either option. However, a thesis supervisor may require a student to demonstrate proficiency in other languages as necessary to his/her degree program.

Representative Historians
All students must take a one quarter course which explores the writing of History by either US, European, or non-western historians.

Planning Forms
Click here to access planning forms for both the thesis and nonthesis option to help you in fulfilling the requirements for your program.