HISTORY

COLLEGE OF ARTS, HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

LEADING TO THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS (M.A.)

 

Purposes

The purposes of the Department of History and Political Science are to:

  1. Increase the students' knowledge, train them in proper scholarly methods of research and writing, and prepare them for more effective teaching and for further graduate study.
  2. Instruct students in the study of the past.

The purposes of the Master of Arts (M.A.) in History program are to:

  1. Train students for careers in school teaching, government service, and business.
  2. Prepare students for doctoral study in History.

 

Requirements for Admission

To be accepted for admission into the M.A. in History program, a student must:

  1. Meet all University admission requirements.
  2. Have satisfactorily completed at least 30 undergraduate hours of History.
  3. Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 (4.0 scale) for all undergraduate course work attempted or a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on all upper division undergraduate course work attempted.
  4. Score a minimum of 290 (combined verbal and quantitative scores) on the General Test of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

Applicants for admission and for graduate assistantships should submit completed application forms, transcripts, and GRE scores by April 1. Applicants received after that date will be accepted, but priority in awarding assistantships and in scheduling graduate classes will be given to those who meet the April 1 deadline.

 

Degree Plan/Candidate Status/Application for Graduation

To remain in good standing in the M.A. in History program, all students must:

  1. Obtain the Graduate Coordinator's approval for an individual degree plan prior to registering for their first semester of graduate course work. Changes in the degree plan may be made only with the Graduate Coordinator's approval.
  2. Apply for status as a Candidate for the M.A. in History degree prior to completing 12 hours of graduate course work.
  3. Apply for graduation by the appropriate deadline for the semester in which they will graduate.

 

Requirements for Registering for Courses

To register for courses in the M.A. in History curriculum, students must:

  1. Have an approved up-to-date degree plan on file with the Department of History and Political Science.
  2. Obtain the Graduate Coordinator's written authorization prior to registration each semester. Advising for all graduate courses is mandatory. After receiving authorization, students will then be registered in the department office.
  3. Register during the early registration period for each semester. All 600-level courses in the M.A. in History curriculum have waiting lists. Students who do not register during the early registration period will have their names removed from the waiting lists for these courses.

 

Requirements for the History Degree

To receive the Master of Arts (M.A.) in History degree, students in the Thesis Option must:

  1. Satisfactorily complete 36 hours of graduate course work in the Thesis Option as detailed below.
  2. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all course work.
  3. Satisfactorily complete the written and oral portions of the Comprehensive Examination.
  4. Write a thesis, have it approved by the major professor and thesis committee, satisfactorily defend the M.A. these before the graduate faculty, and submit at least 4 copies of the approved final version to the M.A. thesis graduate coordinator for binding by the Sims Memorial Library.
  5. Be recommended for the degree by the graduate faculty.
  6. Meet all requirements for the M.A. in History within 6 years of enrolling in the M.A. in History program.

 

Non-Thesis Option
To receive the Master of Arts (M.A.) in History degree, students in the non-thesis option must:

  1. Satisfactorily complete 36 hours of graduate course work in the Non-Thesis Option, as detailed below.
  2. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all course work.
  3. Satisfactorily complete the written and oral portions of the Comprehensive Examination.
  4. Be recommended for the degree by the Graduate Faculty.
  5. Meet all requirements for the M.A. in History degree within 6 years of enrolling in the M.A. in History program.

Public History Option

To receive the Master of Arts (M.A.) in History degree, students in the Public History Option must:

  1. Satisfactorily complete 36 hours of graduate course work in the Public History Option, as detailed below.
  2. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all course work.
  3. Satisfactorily complete the written and oral portions of the Comprehensive Examination.
  4. Complete 6 hours of History 637: Public History Internship

or

Complete 3 hours of History 637: Public History Internship AND write a thesis, have it approved by the major professor and thesis committee, satisfactorily defend the M.A. thesis before the Graduate Faculty, and submit at least 4 copies of the approved final version of the M.A. thesis to the Graduate Coordinator for binding by the Sims Memorial Library.

  1. Be recommended for the degree by the Graduate Faculty.
  2. Meet all requirements for the M.A. in History degree within 6 years of enrolling in the M.A. in History program.

 

Thesis Option
The Thesis Option is recommended for most students who plan to pursue study beyond the M.A. degree, though in some cases it may be taken by students who do not plan to pursue study beyond the M.A. degree. Students will be allowed to enter the Thesis Option only with the Graduate Coordinator's consent. The thesis is a major work of independent research into primary sources on an original topic, supervised by the student's major professor and thesis committee.

 

Required Courses (9 hours)

HIST 600: Historical Research 3 hours
HIST 770: Thesis 6 hours

 

American History (9-15 hours)

HIST 605: America to 1800 3 hours
HIST 606: America 1800-1900 3 hours
HIST 607: America since 1900 3 hours
HIST 610: Southern History 3 hours
HIST 611: Louisiana History 3 hours

 

 European History (9-15 hours)

HIST 630: Western Thought 3 hours
HIST 641: Britain to 1485 3 hours
HIST 642: Britain since 1485 3 hours
HIST 643: Europe to 500 3 hours
HIST 644: Europe 500-1500 3 hours
HIST 645: Europe 1500-1815 3 hours
HIST 646: Europe since 1815 3 hours

 

Public History (3-9 hours)

HIST 632: Introduction to Public History 3 hours
HIST 633: Public History Seminar 3 hours
HIST 634: History Preservation Seminar 3 hours
HIST 635: Historical Editing 3 hours
HIST 636: Introduction to Archival Practice 3 hours

 

Elective (0-6 hours)

HIST 602: Readings 3 hours
HIST 621: Independent Study 3 hours
HIST 698: Special Topics 3 hours
Minor Field (Optional1) 6 hours
   
Total 36 hours

 

Non-Thesis Option
The Non-Thesis Option is recommended for students who do not plan to pursue study beyond the M.A. degree.

 

Required Course (3 hour) 

HIST 600: Historical Research 3 hours

 

American History (9-15 hours)

HIST 605: America to 1800 3 hours
HIST 606: America 1800-1900 3 hours
HIST 607: America since 1900 3 hours
HIST 610: Southern History 3 hours
HIST 611: Louisiana History 3 hours

 

European History (9-15 hours)

HIST 630: Western Thought 3 hours
HIST 641: Britain to 1485 3 hours
HIST 642: Britain since 1485 3 hours
HIST 643: Europe to 500 3 hours
HIST 644: Europe 500-1500 3 hours
HIST 645: Europe 1500-1815 3 hours
HIST 646: Europe since 1815 3 hours

 

 Public History (3-9 hours)

HIST 632: Introduction to Public History 3 hours
HIST 633: Public History Seminar 3 hours
HIST 634: History Preservation Seminar 3 hours
HIST 635: Historical Editing 3 hours
HIST 636: Introduction to Archival Practice 3 hours

 

Elective (0-12 hours)

HIST 621: Independent Study 3 hours
HIST 698: Special Topics 3 hours
HIST 655: Seminar for Teachers 3 hours
Minor Field (Optional1) 6 hours
   
Total 36 hours

 

Secondary Teaching Option

Students in this option may elect to simultaneously pursue Alternate Certification in Social Studies Education, counting Educational Psychology 603 (3 hours), MAT 660 (3 hours), and MAT 661 (3 hours) toward the 36 hours required for the M.A. in History. Candidates must be admitted separately to both the Alternate Certification and the M.A. in History program. Alternate Certification also requires additional undergraduate hours as specified below. Students employed as Social Studies teachers may apply to have 6 hours (2 semesters) of Education 429: Practicum for Alternate Certification Program substitute for 9 hours (1 semester) of Education 486: Student Teaching in Secondary Schools. Students with 3 years of teaching experience in Social Studies may apply to the State Department of Education for a student teaching waiver. Candidates for Alternate Certification must pass the Praxis I and II and attain a 2.5 cumulative undergraduate GPA before being admitted into the program. If a student scores at least 22 on the ACT or a 1030 on the SAT or has a Master's degree in any discipline, the Praxis I is not required for admission into the Alternate Certification program. Note that the Practitioner's Licensee allowing students to teach while pursuing Alternate Certification is limited to 3 years. There is not limit for students who are not teaching while pursuing Alternate Certification; however, the M.A. in History must be completed within 6 years, and it is possible to complete both Alternate Certification and the M.A. in History in 3 years.

 

Required Course (3 hour)

HIST 600: Historical Research 3 hours

 

American History (9-15 hours)

HIST 605: America to 1800 3 hours
HIST 606: America 1800-1900 3 hours
HIST 607: America since 1900 3 hours
HIST 610: Southern History 3 hours
HIST 611: Louisiana History 3 hours

 

European History (9-15 hours)

HIST 630: Western Thought 3 hours
HIST 641: Britain to 1485 3 hours
HIST 642: Britain since 1485 3 hours
HIST 643: Europe to 500 3 hours
HIST 644: Europe 500-1500 3 hours
HIST 645: Europe 1500-1815 3 hours
HIST 646: Europe since 1815 3 hours

 

Elective (0-12 hours)

HIST 602: Readings 3 hours
HIST 621: Independent Study 3 hours
HIST 655: Seminar for Teachers 3 hours
HIST 698: Special Topics 3 hours

 

Alternate Certification in Social Studies Education (0-9 hours)

EPSY 603 3 hours
MAT 660 3 hours
MAT 661 3 hours
   
Total 36 hours

 

Additional Undergraduate Courses Required for Alternate Certification Only

EDUC 203 2 hours
EDUC 212 3 hours
EDUC 307 or 407 3 hours
EDUC 472 3 hours
EPSY 301 or 311 3 hours
EDUC 429 3 hours
or  
EDUC 486 3 hours
or  
State Department of Education Waiver 0 hours
   
Total (Optional) 12-21 hours

 

Public History Option
The Public History Option is for students who plan to pursue a career in Public History. Students in the Public History Option who plan to pursue beyond the M.A. degree are recommended to complete a Master's thesis.

 

Required Courses (18-21 hours)

HIST 600: Historical Research 3 hours
HIST 605: America to 1800 3 hours
HIST 606: America 1800-1900 3 hours
HIST 607: America since 1900 3 hours
HIST 632: Introduction to Public History 3 hours
HIST 637: Public History Internship 3-6 hours2

 

 Elective Courses Group I (6-18 hours)

COMM 569: Video Documentary Production 3 hours
COMM 631: New Tech and Organizational Comm 3 hours
HIST 633: Public History Seminar 3 hours
HIST 634: Historic Preservation Seminar 3 hours
HIST 635: Historical Editing 3 hours
HIST 636: Introduction to Archival Practice 3 hours
HIST 637: Public History Internship 3 hours2
HIST 770: Thesis 6 hours2

 

 Elective Courses Group II (0-6 hours)

HIST 563: Local/Regional History 3 hours
HIST 566: Family History 3 hours
HIST 567: Introduction to Museum Practice 3 hours
HIST 583: Heritage Tourism 3 hours
HIST 584: Audience and Media 3 hours
HIST 588: Oral History 3 hours

 

Elective Courses Group III (0-6 hours)

HIST 610: Southern History 3 hours
HIST 611: Louisiana History 3 hours
HIST 625: British History 3 hours
HIST 626: Europe to 1500 3 hours
HIST 627: Europe since 1500 3 hours
HIST 630: Western Thought 3 hours
HIST 698: Special Topics 3 hours

1Elective courses may include a 6 hour minor in Philosophy or Political Science with approval of the Graduate Coordinator. Only students with a minor field may take Non-History courses for degree credit.
2Students in the Public History Option who do not write a thesis must take 6 hours of History 637. Students who write a thesis must take 3 hours of History 637 and may elect to take 6 hours.

Comprehensive Examination - During or after their last semester of course work, students must satisfactorily complete a Comprehensive Examination, based on three identified historical fields. Each field, determined in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator, will consist of questions from two faculty members with whom the student undertook course work. Achieving a passing score from all six faculty members will complete the comprehensive examination process. Should a student fail to achieve a passing score from one or two faculty, an oral exam will take place within ten working days of the written examination. Students who fail to achieve a passing score from one or two faculty members, or who fail any portion of the oral examination, must retake that part within one year of the original exam and satisfactorily complete it or face dismissal from the program. Students who fail to achieve passing scores a second time will be dismissed from the program.

Thesis Defense - Prior to graduation students in the Thesis Option must defend their theses. Before being recommended for graduation, students must receive approval for their theses from the Department Head, Graduate Coordinator, Major Professor, and Thesis Committee members, who may solicit advice from other members of the graduate faculty.

Thesis Style and Binding - The thesis must conform to the format of the most recent edition of The Chicago Manual of Style. Students must submit at least 4 copies of the final approved version of the thesis to the Graduate Coordinator for binding by the Sims Memorial Library.

 

Graduate Faculty

All faculty in the Department of History and Political Science (including Philosophy faculty) who are members of the University Graduate Faculty are members of the department's graduate faculty. They are eligible to teach graduate courses, supervise theses, serve on Thesis Committees, and participate in Comprehensive Examinations. The University Graduate Council must renew member status for graduate faculty every six years. Temporary graduate faculty status must be renewed annually; adjunct faculty must be renewed each semester.

 

Graduate Coordinator

The Graduate Coordinator serves as academic advisor for all graduate students, supervises their progress toward the M.A. degree, approves all graduate degree plans, and authorizes all students for registration in courses in the M.A. curriculum. The Graduate Coordinator supervises the work of all departmental graduate assistants. The Graduate Coordinator serves as the department's representative on the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Graduate Committee and on the University Graduate Council.

 

Major Professor

Students in the Thesis Option will be assigned a Major Professor to supervise the research and writing of their theses. The Graduate Coordinator will assign the Major Professor, with the latter's consent, on the basis of his/her expertise in the field in which a particular student chooses to write the thesis. The Graduate Coordinator serves as Major Professor for all students in the Non-Thesis Option.

 

Thesis Committee

Students in the Thesis Option will have a Thesis Committee consisting of the Major Professor and two additional members of the graduate faculty. The Graduate Coordinator and Major Professor will choose the committee members, with the consent of the latter, on the basis of their expertise in the field in which the particular student wishes to write the thesis.

 

Graduate Faculty Advisory Committee

All graduate faculty in the Department of History and Political Science shall serve as members of the Graduate Faculty Advisory Committee. This committee must approve any changes in the M.A. curriculum, must approve the awarding of all graduate assistantships, and after each semester shall determine whether or not each student will be permitted to continue in the M.A. program.

 

Graduate Assistants

Graduate assistantships are awarded by the Graduate Faculty Advisory Committee on the basis of merit, with faculty recommendations, undergraduate GPA, History GPA, and GRE scores the primary factors considered. Graduate assistants are contractual employees who work under the supervision of the Graduate Coordinator. Applicants should submit all application materials (see "Requirements for Admission") by April 1.