History, Thesis, MA

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Department of History, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Graduate Faculty

Anderson, Charles W., PhD, Middle East.
Costanzo, Susan E., PhD, Russian/Soviet, Europe.
Diehl, Peter D., PhD, Medieval, Ecclesiastical, Social.
Eurich, S. Amanda, PhD, early modern Europe, France and European social history.
Friday, Christopher C., PhD, American Indian, Asian American, Pacific Northwest, Public History.
Garfinkle, Steven J., PhD, ancient Near East and Mediterranean, historical theory and methods.
Hardesty, Jared R., PhD, colonial America.
Jimerson, Randall C., PhD, archives and records management, 19th-century U.S.
López, A. Ricardo, PhD, Latin America.
Neem, Johann N., PhD, Early U.S. Republic.
Seltz, Jennifer, PhD, late 19th-century and 20th-century U.S., U.S. West.
Stewart, Mart A., PhD, 19th-century U.S., Civil War and Reconstruction, Environmental.
Thompson, Roger R., PhD, China.
Zimmerman, Sarah, PhD, Africa.

Affiliates

Friesen, Kitty, paper conservator, Archives.
Kurtz, Anthony, MA History with a certificate in Archives & Records Management.
Steele, Ruth, MA History with a certificate in Archives & Records Management, MA (Hons) History, University of Edinburgh.

Goals

The program prepares students to: 1) enter doctoral programs or pursue other advanced academic training in history; 2) teach at the secondary or community-college level, and 3) assume positions as researchers, writers, teachers and curators in a variety of public and private settings

Prerequisites

Admission to graduate status and to graduate courses requires completion of an undergraduate major in history or the permission of the department. Applicants must also complete the general section of the Graduate Record Examination prior to admission to the program.

Application Information

Admit Quarter: Students are generally admitted only for the academic year, not summer.

TA Deadlines: April 1 for all program specializations.

Supporting Materials:

In addition to the Graduate School application requirements, all history applicants must submit a brief statement of purpose and goals, and a writing sample, such as a research paper or similar example of writing ability

Program Requirements

Thesis: Basic Requirements 45 credits

❑ HIST 505 - Historical Theory and Method Credits: 4 (4)
❑ HIST 690 - Research and Writing Seminar: Thesis Credits: 2-12 (12)
❑ A written thesis prospectus is a prerequisite for 690 registration
❑ Three courses in a primary field and two in a secondary field
❑ Elective courses to total minimum 45-credit requirement
❑ Completion of Language Requirement (see below)

Additional Information

Fields of Study

Fields of study fall into four broad areas:

United States, Western Hemisphere (excluding USA), Europe, Africa and Middle East, Asia
Ancient, Medieval, Early Modern, or Modern Periods
Comparative History (consult with graduate advisor)
Archives and Records Management.

Students who choose the thesis option are required to complete at least three courses in a primary field and two courses in a secondary field, those fields to be determined in consultation with the graduate advisor and thesis committee chair.

Electives

To complete the program in the Thesis option, electives may be chosen, in consultation with the graduate advisor from other seminars, readings courses, 400-level undergraduate courses (maximum of 10 credits) or HIST 500 (in rare cases, only with permission of the graduate advisor).

Language Requirement

The foreign language requirement may be met in one of two ways: by passing an exam approved or administered by the department; or by earning a B grade or higher in the last course of a second-year language program. Courses graded on a pass/no pass basis would not qualify for satisfying the language requirement. Tests and course work taken before entry into the graduate program may be counted if completed within five years of acceptance into the graduate program, or, where appropriate and with departmental permission, a demonstrated competence in mathematics, statistics, or appropriate computer programs/processes, as determined by advisor.

For further information, contact departmental office, Bond Hall 364, 360-650-3429.