Introduction
The Department of History offers an M.A. degree in history for those individuals who are interested in postgraduate work, but who are not planning to complete a Ph.D. It is a degree program that can fulfill in-service education requirements for current teachers as well as for future teachers earning a single-subject credential in social studies.
Each student in consultation with their faculty advisor will complete courses of study and original research that bring together their temporal, geographica,l and thematic or methodological interests. To complete the degree, each student must pass a total of 12 courses of 5 credits each and one courses of 2 credits each. Students are required to produce a substantial research essay (average word count of 8000-10,000) grounded in original research in primary historical documents. There is no language requirement.
Detailed information for prospective graduate students, including procedures for applications and admission to graduate studies, examinations and requirements is available from the Division of Graduate Studies admissions website.
Applications
Information on the History Department application deadline can be found on the Division of Graduate Studies admissions application deadlines webpage. Admission information and application material are on the Division of Graduate Studies website.
Requirements
The M.A. degree is awarded after two years in residence, provided that the following requirements have been met:
- Completion of 12 five-credit courses and one 2-credit proseminars
- Removal of all Incomplete notations on record
- Approval of an M.A. essay
Course Requirements
Choose one research seminar course during the first four quarters from the following three course options
| HIS 204A | History of Gender Research Seminar | 5 |
| HIS 204C | Colonialism, Nationalism and Race Research Seminar | 5 |
| HIS 204E | Transnationalism, Borderlands, and History | 5 |
One Proseminar of 2 credits
| HIS 280A | History Graduate Proseminar: Teaching Pedagogy | 2 |
Seven research area electives of 5 credits each, two of which may be taken outside the History Department.
Courses taken must be graduate seminars and upper-division undergraduate courses.
Students may substitute independent studies (maximum of two) with advisors and other faculty members for two of these seminars.
Applying for Graduation
The final essay (pdf copy) must be submitted to the graduate program coordinator by the spring quarter deadline. A completed Application for the Master's Degree must be filed with the graduate coordinator with the submission of your final essay.
Essay Review and Evaluation
The Graduate Committee evaluates the master’s essays and makes recommendations to the graduate director on the awarding of the M.A. degree. Applicants are notified of the committee's decision in June.