Requirements for the Master’s Degree
While the History Department does not offer a terminal Master’s degree, for students admitted with funding, graduate students get the Master’s degree while working towards their PhD. The requirements for being awarded the Master of Arts in History should be met within two years. 30 credits are required for the degree. Students must take six credits in seminars or directed studies in transregional or global fields (the six credits may be in different transregional/global fields); and six credits in seminars or directed studies in a regional field (Asia, Europe, Latin America, or the United States). In addition, students must take three credits of graduate-level coursework outside of the discipline of history.
First Research Tool: The Master’s degree requires the completion of the first research tool, which consists of reading proficiency in one foreign language. Students select, in consultation with their advisor, the language most useful to their specialization. Students are urged to complete language preparation before entering graduate school, not only to lighten their workload, but also because some seminars require the use of a second language.
Research paper: To complete their MA degree, students write a research paper of approximately 10,000 words, which is kept as part of their permanent record and is considered equivalent to a Master’s thesis. This paper must be based on original research and should be potentially publishable.
MA committee: In consultation with their advisor, students create a three-person committee for their MA examination, usually chaired by their advisor. At least two of the committee members must be members of the Graduate Faculty. Before students can sit for their MA exam, the chair of the MA committee must approve the final version of the research paper.
MA examination and admission to the Ph. program: The MA examination will be a one-hour oral examination. Questions will be based on the MA research paper. At the conclusion of the examination, the committee will inform the student of its decision as to whether or not it recommends that the student be awarded the MA degree. If the student has expressed a desire to enter the PhD program, the committee will also make a determination as to whether or not it recommends admission into the PhD program. At the earliest opportunity, the MA committee’s evaluation of the examination must be reported to the department, which must approve admission into the PhD program.
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