History, M.A.

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Program Requirements

33 credit hours
Comprehensive exam or thesis
At least 11 credit hours at each institution

The course distribution follows this scheme:

Historiography (3 credit hours)
Primary area of distribution (12 credit hours)
Secondary area of distribution (6 credit hours)
Third area of distribution (3 credit hours)
Electives (3 credit hours)*
Thesis or Research Seminar (6 credit hours)

*In history or a related discipline in the humanities or social sciences. Non-history courses require prior approval of the program director.

Historiography

HIST 691 Historiography (3)

Complete 21 credit hours of distribution coursework

Primary Area of Distribution: Complete 12 credit hours from one of the following areas of distribution.

Secondary Area of Distribution: Complete 6 credit hours from one of the following areas of distribution. Coursework must be taken outside of the Primary Area of Distribution.

Third Area of Distribution: Complete 3 credit hours from one of the following areas of distribution. Coursework must be taken outside of the Primary Area of Distribution and Secondary Area of Distribution.

United States

Europe

Asia/Africa/Latin America

Select 3 additional credit hours of electives:

The elective may be selected from any of the above distribution areas.

Thesis or Research Seminar

Complete either Option 1 or Option 2, both of which should be taken within then primary area of distribution.

Option 1: Thesis Option

Option 2: Research Seminars

Complete 6 credit hours from the following:

Comprehensive Exam

A comprehensive written examination is prepared and administered by the director and associate director and is required of students pursuing the non-thesis track. They are to be taken after the completion of 27 credit hours of coursework. This comprehensive examination is a thorough review of the fields covered in the student’s program. The examination committee is composed of faculty from both institutions. Those who intend to write a thesis must first have a proposal approved by a thesis committee and by the Joint Program Committee. A satisfactory oral defense is also required before final certification for the degree. Non-thesis track students must also satisfactorily complete two 700-level research seminars before final certification for the degree.

African American Emphasis

Students whose primary or secondary emphasis area within US history may opt to include a focus on African American history. Students pursuing this option must, within the US emphasis area, complete the following requirements.

Thesis Option

Complete 6 credit hours in African American oriented history

Complete 3 approved credit hours in another discipline

Complete 6 credit hours in an African American oriented thesis

Non-Thesis Option

Complete 9 credit hours in African American oriented history

Complete 3 approved credit hours in another discipline

Complete 3 credit hours in African American oriented independent study or similar (i.e. research seminar)

Transfer Credit Policy

No program specific guidelines. Please refer to the Graduate School’s transfer credit policy .