The Master of Arts Program
in History

The Master of Arts degree in History is designed to provide students with a program of advanced intensive courses leading to specializations in such areas as United States, Latin American, European, African, Asian and local history. Apart from the final requirement of either a master’s thesis (and oral defense) or examinations in three fields (written and oral), the master’s program contains flexibility sufficient to meet the varying personal, professional and academic needs of the candidate. The Graduate Coordinator and the Supervisor of the thesis or field committee provide assistance and direction toward achieving the student’s academic objectives.

The M.A. degree in History is a 30-unit program. Requirements include at least 15 units of 500-leval coursework; of these, two seminars and the final project are mandatory. Students may apply up to 15 units of upper division work (at the 300 or 400-level) toward the M.A. degree.

Graduate seminars and upper division classes are generally small, offering individualized attention, guidance and interaction between faculty and students. Graduate students are expected to recognize various methodologies and perspectives of historical inquiry and interpretation, and to master the techniques of history writing and research. Opportunities for independent study (8 units maximum) and teaching or research-related work, conjointly with faculty (2 units maximum), are available.

Admission to the University

Application for graduate admission to the University should be made through the Office of Admissions and Records. Official transcripts of B.A. degree and relevant post-B.A. work are required, as well as GRE test scores.

Requirements for Admission

1. B.A. degree from an accredited institution. Students with undergraduate majors in fields other than history are expected to complete at least one perquisite course.
2. Grade point average of 3.00 or better in the undergraduate history major (and in previous graduate courses attempted) as evidenced by transcripts furnished. Grade point average of 3.20 or better in history for non-majors.
3. Completion of the general test Graduate Record Examination with scores acceptable to the departmental Graduate Studies Committee.
4. Three letters of recommendation; completion of program application and personal statement; writing sample.
5. Completion and acceptance of separate application for admission to the University (Office of Admissions and Records)
6. Favorable recommendation for admission by the departmental Graduate Studies Committee after review of the complete file. This confers advancement to classified standing as a graduate student.

The selection committee reviews applications twice a year. Materials required should reach the graduate coordinator by either September 15 or February 15. *Applications must be reviewed by the time that 16 units (maximum applicable to the program have been completed.

Requirements for the M.A. Degree

1. Advancement to candidacy form (M.A. in History) signed and submitted to the graduate office.
2. Grade point average of 3.00 or better for all work attempted in graduate status and in all work approved of the student’s committee chair and the graduate advisor, a maximum of 9 units of postgraduate transfer or extension credit (or any combination of the two) may be included as part of the student’s specific pattern of study. All courses are to be taken for letter grade.
3. All requirements for the M.A. degree in history, including language and conditional requirements stipulated at the time of admission to candidacy, must be satisfactorily completed within seven years from the time the first course is completed. Completion of requirements form must be signed and submitted to the graduate office.
4. With the approval of the student’s committed chair and the departmental graduate advisor, the satisfactory completion of one of the following two options:

The History M.A. Program

Master’s Thesis Option
(chosen in consultation with committee chair):
Course Units
Courses at the 300 or 400 level 15
Graduate courses at the 500 level (including two seminars) 9
HIST 599 Master’s Degree Thesis Research 6
Total units required for the M.A. 30

Field Examination Option
(chosen in consultation with committee chair):
Courses at the 300 or 400 level 15
Graduate courses at the 500 level (including two seminars) 14
Field Examination Reading and HIST 598 Research 1
Total Units required for the M.A. 30

MA.in History Fact Sheet (pdf)

Application for Masters in History