Master of Arts Degree in History

https://www.una.edu/history/graduate-students/master-of-arts-degree-program.html

In addition to the general requirements for Admission to Graduate Studies (See General Regulations and Procedures), admission to the Master of Arts degree program in History requires the following:

Admission

  1. Preparation: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and have at least 24 hours in history, including up to twelve hours below the 300 level or have completed a major and/or minor in history. A departmental Graduate Admissions Committee will approve or deny each application.  All applications and supporting documents must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions of the University in accordance with submission deadlines established by that office.
  2. Scholastic Achievement: A minimum of 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale in all previous undergraduate and graduate coursework.
  3. Test Scores: Submission of satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), which shall consist of the attainment of at least two of the three following scores: Verbal, 146; Quantitative, 140; Analytical Writing,   3.5.
  4. Three completed recommendation forms.
  5. Application Essay: A type written essay of 250-350 words which describes career goals and areas of historical interest for study in the graduate program.
  6. Writing Sample: Minimum of four pages, preferably a research or scholarly essay or paper from previous classes. It may also be a sample of professional or creative writing.
  7. The history graduate committee does not conditionally admit an applicant to the M.A. program in History or the M.A. program in Public History without reviewing the applicant’s completed application containing undergraduate transcripts, GRE scores, application essay, writing sample, & letters of recommendation. An applicant with an incomplete application may enroll in two graduate history courses (6 hours) as a non-degree-seeking student. If the applicant is admitted to the M.A. program in History or the M.A. program in Public History, courses taken as a non-degree-seeking student may be included in the student’s Plan of Study.

Transfer Admission

In addition to the general requirements for Transfer Admission to Graduate Studies (See General Regulations and Procedures), up to six semester hours of B or higher grades in graduate work appropriate to the degree program at UNA by transfer may be accepted with the approval of the history graduate committee, department chair, and college dean. Exceptions must be approved by the history graduate committee, department chair, and college dean. The department will accept up to six hours transfer credit previously applied to a degree, pending approval of the history graduate committee.

Advisement

Prior to completion of their first semester credit in the program, students shall be assigned an academic advisor.

Degree and Program Plans

Master of Arts Degree in History requires a minimum of 33 semester hours of credit and includes the following core and options:

Core Courses of Study
HI 605Historiography and Methodology3
HI 611Seminar in U.S. History to 18773
HI 612Seminar in U.S. History Since 18773
HI 621Seminar in World History to 18153
HI 622Seminar in World History Since 18153
Elective Courses of Study
12 hours from History Electives (500-600) level12
Research Skill Requirement 10-3
Thesis or Non-Thesis Option: Select one from the following:6
Thesis Option 2
HI 695
Thesis
HI 699
Thesis Defense
Non-Thesis Option 3
HI 640
Directed Research and Study
HI 698
Comprehensive Examination
Total Hours33-36
1

The M.A. in history requires demonstration of a research skill. Students satisfy the research skill requirement by successfully completing graduate coursework in foreign language reading proficiency or by the successful completion of a reading proficiency examination administered through the Department of Foreign Languages. A student may also satisfy the research skill requirement through successful completion of upper-division coursework as approved by the graduate committee of the Department of History.

2

Thesis Option: students choosing the Thesis Option must complete a minimum of six semester hours of Thesis (HI 695), in addition to the core and 12 additional semester hours of 500-600 level history electives. Thesis Defense: students choosing the thesis option must enroll in and satisfactorily complete Thesis Defense (HI 699).

3

Non-Thesis Option: students choosing the Non-Thesis Option must complete six hours of Directed Research and Study (HI 640), in addition to the core and 12 additional semester hours of 500-600 level history electives. Comprehensive Examination: students choosing the non-thesis option must enroll in and satisfactorily complete Comprehensive Examination (HI 698).