Program Requirements and Options
(NOTE: These requirements apply to students matriculated for the fall
1999 semester and later. See the graduate
catalog for
slightly different requirements prevailing before that date.)
- The MA in History is a 33-credit degree program.
- Up to 12 credits of graduate course work with a grade of “B” or better
may be transferred from other institutions with the approval of the
Graduate Committee. Courses presented for transfer credit must
have been taken within the past five years.
- Students must have at least a “B” average in their graduate course
work to be eligible for graduation. Those with GPAs below 3.0 will be
placed on academic probation. Two semesters with GPAs below 3.0 may
result in dematriculation from the program.
- All courses must carry graduate credit (500 or above). At least half
of the courses must be at the 600 level or above, not including history 710.
- Degree requirements must be completed within five years of the date
of matriculation.
- HST 600: Introduction to Historical Studies (3 credits):
This course is designed to acquaint students, at the beginning of their
MA work, with the major approaches to historical inquiry practiced in
the 20th century.
- The Major Field: (18 credits): You will need to choose between
two tracks to complete your major field. Each of them involves
several reading seminars, a research experience, and electives.
| American History |
Credits
|
| HST 614 Reading Seminar in Early America |
3
|
| HST 615 Reading Seminar in Modern America |
3
|
| HST 691 Research in American History |
3
|
| HST XXX Elective in American History |
3
|
| HST XXX Elective in American History |
3
|
| HST XXX Elective in American History |
3
|
| World History |
Credits
|
| HST 641 Explorations in World History |
3
|
| HST 64X Regional Seminar |
3
|
| HST 64X Regional Seminar |
3
|
| HST 695 Research in World History |
3
|
| HST XXX Regional Seminar/Elective |
3
|
| HST XXX Regional Seminar/Elective |
3
|
NOTE: Regional Seminars on Europe, Africa, East Asia, Latin America
and others rotate from semester to semester. The Reading Seminars in
American History may also be used as a Regional Seminar in World History.
- The Minor Field (9 credits): Students may construct a minor
field in a variety of ways. A selection of courses in world or American
history constitutes the most common option. Public history (including
museum studies, archive and record management, and local history) is
an area the Graduate Program is developing. Students may also take up
to nine credits in graduate courses outside of history and apply them
to an interdisciplinary minor field, such as women’s studies. Some students
interested in teaching have built a minor field in education.
You can be quite flexible and imaginative in designing minor fields.
- A capstone experience will serve to integrate your MA program. You
may choose one of two options:
- HST 700: Historical Integration (3 credits): In the final
semester of your program, you will undertake your Comprehensive
Essay or “comps.” This involves selecting a committee of two or
three faculty members who will meet with you and develop a question
or set of questions tailored uniquely to your own work in the program.
The questions will draw upon and cut across the various courses
you have taken and provide an occasion for you to integrate your
graduate work. Here is your opportunity to transcend particular
courses and explore broad themes in an integrative fashion. An oral
component of the “comps” will provide for an extended conversation
between you and your faculty committee about your comprehensive
essay. “Comps” are graded Honors, Pass, or No Credit.
A passing mark is required for successful completion of the MA.
- HST 701: Master's Thesis: Some students may wish to focus
their graduate studies more heavily toward research by writing a
master's thesis. Usually, such a thesis emerges out of work
begun in the required research course in American or world history.
It is normally directed by a particular faculty member and read
by a “second reader.” To serve some of the integrative functions
of the “comps," the thesis must be connected to broad historical
trends and reflect a knowledge of recent historiography. Successful
completion of the thesis, including an oral examination, is required
for graduation for those choosing this option.
| Other Program Possibilities: |
- HST 710: College Teaching Practicum: This course provides an
opportunity to assist one of the faculty members in teaching at the
introductory undergraduate level. It requires reading in the literature
on current teaching practice and course development, and it involves
participation in every aspect of college-level teaching--lecturing,
leading discussions, preparing and evaluating exams and papers, tutoring
students out of class, and more. The experience normally culminates
in a pedagogical essay reflecting on the teaching experience.
- Internships: The department maintains relationships with a
number of area institutions, particularly museums. We will sponsor appropriate
internships and award credit for them when the needs of the institution
intersects with a student’s interests and program.
- Overseas Study: A few graduate students have pursued a portion
of their program in foreign universities. The program is pleased to
accept applicable work as transfer credit.
