Applicants have the following entrance requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree with a 24-credit minimum in history;
applicants with graduate credits in history may request transfer
credit for advanced standing, as determined by the Admissions
Committee
- A cumulative G.P.A. of at least 3.0 overall and a minimum of
3.5 in history
- Three letters of recommendation, two attesting to the
applicant’s academic quality
- A recent sample of written work and a personal statement
detailing the student’s professional goals. Applicants with a
master’s degree including at least 15 graduate credits in history
and an index of 3.5 or better in these courses may earn advanced
standing as determined by the Admission Committee and Dean.
Program Requirements
72 Credits minimum beyond B.A.
degree
15 Credits
100 to 500-level history courses, including HIS 401
Students who already possess an M.A. with at least 15 credits in
graduate history are exempt from this requirement.
9 Credits
Completion of three required interdisciplinary seminars
HIS 710 ( taken immediately after the 15 credits of 100 to
500-level courses)
HIS 750 ( taken immediately after the 15 credits of 100 to
500-level courses)
HIS 799 (taken as the final course before comprehensive exams)
24 Credits
700-level courses
Qualifying
Examination
Successful performance at the completion of 18 credits for students
entering with an M.A. and 33 credits for those with the B.A.
Students who leave the program after satisfactorily completing this
exam may ask to receive the M.A. degree upon completion of
requisite credits and requirements.
12 Credits
Professional Skills courses (800s) in teaching history
Including a three-credit Practicum
6 Credits
Teaching Internship (HIS 905, 906)
A two-semester, six-credit experience completed under faculty
supervision.
Additional Requirements
- Demonstration of writing competence in English either by
examination or completion of a course in advanced composition (not
to count toward the D.A. degree).
- Reading proficiency in a relevant foreign language, as
determined by the Department Chair.
- 48 credit hours in course work, six credits of Teaching
Internship and six credits for writing the dissertation (Doctor of
Arts Research). With prior teaching experience, the Teaching
Internship may be waived.
A minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 must be maintained; courses with a grade
lower than B are not counted toward the degree. Foreign language
proficiency is demonstrated by a B or higher in an advanced
college-level language course; satisfactory scores on ETS or other
University-approved language exams; or a two-semester reading
course offered by the Department of Languages and Literatures.
Upon completing course work, students take their comprehensive
examination. This examination covers the entire area of the
student's field of study. After the comprehensive exam, students
work on their dissertation until the dissertation is successfully
defended. Students select an academic mentor and committee of
readers to guide their research and progress. The dissertation is
defended in an oral examination before the committee, subject to
the Dean’s approval.