2025-2026 Graduate Catalog History

A degree in history requires either a thesis or a non-thesis option.

Master of Arts

Completion of the degree requirements as well as a minimum of two years of study in foreign language at the university level (equivalent of completion of LAN 116) or a satisfactory score on a university administered foreign language test

Master of Science

Option I — Thesis

This 30-hour option requires: 

• 3 hours: HIS 496 
• 4-6 hours: HIS 499 
• 21-23 hours of electives, with a minimum of 15 hours of 400-level graduate seminars. HIS 400, HIS 497, and HIS 498 can count toward the 15 hour minimum

Option II — Field of Study

This 33-hour option requires:

• 3 hours: HIS 496 
• 3 hours: HIS 497 Research in History or an equivalent research paper written in the History department. Students undertaking this option must receive no less than a grade of B in HIS 497 or on an equivalent research paper written in the History department. 
• 3 hours: HIS 490 Readings-Field of Study; the student will thoroughly explore a field of history under the supervision of a member of the department's faculty. The student's mastery will be assessed in a final examination. Students undertaking this option must receive no less than a grade of B in HIS 490. 
• 24 hours of electives, with a minimum of 18 hours of 400-level graduate seminars. HIS 400, HIS 497, and HIS 498 can count toward the 18 hour minimum

Areas of Specialization in Master's Study

Students are encouraged to focus their studies on some of the distinctive areas of strength in the department's graduate curriculum. These include U.S. history; Modern European history; Medieval or Ancient history; and global history including Latin America, the Middle East and the Far East. Although the program does not have a formal “breadth” requirement, students are also encouraged to look beyond their area of specialization. For example, those focusing on U.S. history should take courses in European and global history, and vice-versa.

Students may take graduate courses in other related disciplines such as art history and visual culture; English; Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; Philosophy; Politics and Government; and Sociology/Anthropology. Up to six hours of credit from classes in other departments may be used in history master's degree programs provided written permission is received from the history graduate director prior to enrollment and the courses are included on the approved degree audit.