History, M.A.

Mark Doyle, Graduate Studies Director
(615) 898-2545
Mark.Doyle@mtsu.edu

The History Department offers the Master of Arts in History, Master of Arts in History with a concentration in Public History, and a Ph.D. in Public History.

For the most current information about the program, department policies, and admission standards, please visit the department website at www.mtsu.edu/history.

Please see undergraduate catalog for information regarding undergraduate programs.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master of Arts in History program requires

an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college;
an acceptable grade point average in all college work taken;
completion of at least 18 semester hours of undergraduate history courses;
completion of the Graduate Record Exam with acceptable scores.

Modifications to the above requirements may be made with the permission of the department’s director of graduate studies and the department’s graduate admissions committee.

Application Procedures

All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies (graduate@mtsu.edu).

Application deadline for the M.A. program is March 1. The History Department does not consider graduate students for spring or summer admission.

Applicant must

submit application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php);
submit official scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE);
submit official transcripts of all previous college work;
submit letter of intent, explaining why applicant wishes to pursue graduate education in History and why applicant wishes to pursue those studies at MTSU;
submit writing sample (preferably a lengthy research paper that demonstrates writing and research skills);
submit three letters of recommendation from professors or professionals that address the applicant’s potential to successfully complete an M.A. program in History.

Degree Requirements

Candidates for the Master of Arts in History degree may choose between a thesis and a non-thesis option.

Thesis Option (30 hours)

Once admitted to the program, candidate must

complete 30 hours of graduate history courses, all at the 6000 level (see Curriculum section below for specifics);
pass comprehensive examinations in the thesis field;
maintain satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree each semester;
fulfill a research skill-set requirement by choosing one of the following options:
1. demonstrate reading proficiency in a foreign language for research purposes by passing the specific proficiency examination administered by the Foreign Languages and Literature Department;
2. compete one of the following professional development courses: HIST 6190 , HIST 6225 , HIST 6530 , HIST 6550 , HIST 6551 , or HIST 6555 . Courses outside the History Department may also be considered with the written approval of the graduate director.
  NOTE: A course used to satisfy the professional skill requirement may not also be counted toward meeting another degree requirement.
submit and successfully defend an acceptable thesis.

Non-thesis Option (33 hours)

Once admitted to the program, candidate must

complete 33 hours of graduate history courses, all at the 6000 level (see Curriculum section below for specifics);
pass comprehensive examinations;
maintain satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree each semester;
fulfill a skill set requirement by choosing one of the following options:
1. demonstrate reading proficiency in a foreign language for research purposes by passing the specific proficiency examination administered by the Foreign Languages and Literature Department;
2. complete one of the following professional development courses: HIST 6190 State and Local History, HIST 6225 Oral History Theory and Methodology, HIST 6530 Administration of Historical Organizations, HIST 6550 American Material Culture, HIST 6551 American Architectural History, and HIST 6555 Archeology and Public History. Courses outside the History Department may also be considered, with the written approval of the graduate director.
  NOTE: A course used to satisfy the professional skill requirement may not also be counted toward meeting another degree requirement.

Curriculum: History

Thesis Option (30 hours)

All M.A. in History students pursuing the thesis option must complete 30 hours (all at the 6000 level) in the following course of study:

Required Core Courses (6 hours)

HIST 6010 - Historiography 3 credit hours
HIST 6020 - Historical Research Methods 3 credit hours

Thesis Field (12-15 hours)

12–15 hours of either American or European History

History electives (6-9 hours)

6–9 hours outside the thesis field

Thesis Research (at least 3 hours)

HIST 6640 - Thesis Research 1 to 6 credit hours

Note:

No more than three hours of HIST 6910 /HIST 6920 /HIST 6930 may be counted toward degree requirements.

Non-thesis Option (33 hours)

All M.A. in History students pursuing the non-thesis option must complete 33 hours (all at the 6000 level) in the following course of study:

Required Core (6 hours)

HIST 6010 - Historiography 3 credit hours
HIST 6020 - Historical Research Methods 3 credit hours

Major Field (15 hours)

15 hours of either American or European History including at least three hours of graduate research seminar in field

History electives (9 hours)

9 hours of elective History courses

Additional Graduate Research Seminar (3 hours)

3 hours of graduate research seminar in any field

Note:

No more than three hours of HIST 6910 /HIST 6920 /HIST 6930 may be counted toward degree requirements.

Program Notes

Candidate must

file a degree plan in the College of Graduate Studies during first semester in the program;
file a Notice of Intent to Graduate form in the College of Graduate Studies within the first two weeks of the term in which candidate intends to graduate.