The Master of Arts in History, Plan A, Liberal Arts Specialization offers students the opportunity to write an original thesis. Working closely with a faculty mentor in one of our department’s areas of expertise (for example, U.S. history, environmental history, public history), students on Plan A conduct archival research to author an original piece of scholarship. Coursework on Plan A, and in all of our programs of study, is based in small seminars and stresses historiography, research methods, and hands-on experience.
The Plan A program of study requires proficiency in a language other than English. This requirement can be met through an exam or through coursework.
Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Learning Objectives
Students who successfully complete the program will:
- Develop historical research questions and conduct historical synthesis, analysis, and interpretation using primary and secondary source research.
- Develop the critical reading, speaking, and writing skills essential to professional historical practice.
- Define historical narratives and develop both breadth and depth of knowledge in the historiography of chosen fields of study.
- Conduct archival research to author an original piece of scholarship.
- Practice historical methods in various settings, which may include academic, applied, and/or public.
Effective Fall 2023
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses in Historical Methods and Practice: | ||
| HIST 501 | Historical Method: Historiography | 3 |
| HIST 579 | Professional Development Seminar | 1 |
| Reading Seminars (select four courses from the following): 1 | 12 | |
| Reading Seminar: U.S. to 1877 | ||
| Reading Seminar: U.S. Since 1877 | ||
| Reading Seminar--Public History | ||
| Reading Seminar-Europe to 1815 | ||
| Reading Seminar-Europe Since 1815 | ||
| Reading Seminar: Latin America | ||
| Reading Seminar: Middle East | ||
| Reading Seminar: East Asia | ||
| Reading Seminar: South Asia | ||
| Reading Seminar--World Environmental History | ||
| Research Seminar (select one course from the following): 2 | 3 | |
| Research Seminar: United States | ||
| Research Seminar--International | ||
| Research Seminar--Public History | ||
| 500- or 600-level HIST course | 3 | |
| Electives 3 | 6 | |
| Foreign Language: Requirement may be fulfilled by exam or through coursework. | ||
| HIST 699 | Thesis | 3-6 |
| Program Total Credits: | 34 | |
A minimum of 34 credits are required to complete this program.
- 1
At least one course should be U.S., and one course should be non-U.S. Select the remaining in consultation with advisor.
- 2
Research seminar must be in the student's thesis field.
- 3
HIST and non-HIST subject code courses numbered 300-699. At least 3 credits must be non-HIST.
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |