History (Latin American), M.A.

Master’s Programs

Admission Requirements

For admission to the master’s program, the department requires a 3.0 minimum grade point average in undergraduate study, GRE general test scores, transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a statement of academic objectives, and an example of written work (up to 20 pages). Letters of recommendation should be from people qualified to assess the applicant’s readiness for graduate study. Normally, applicants will have been undergraduate majors or minors in History.

Students with perceived academic deficiencies may be admitted conditionally. To remove the conditional status, students must meet Graduate School requirements, which are described in the Admission Requirements section of the Bulletin, and they must satisfy all additional requirements stipulated by the chair and director of Graduate Studies.

In addition to the Graduate School criteria for regular admission, students whose native language is not English must score at least 550 on the TOEFL Examination (213 on the computer-based examination). The department presumes that applicants who have fulfilled these requirements possess an adequate knowledge of English. If, upon their arrival at the university, it is determined that they do not possess an adequate command of English, the department reserves the right to require appropriate remedial courses.

Members of all underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Retention Policy

The Department of History has a retention policy more stringent than the general policy of the graduate school. The department’s policy is published in its Handbook. Students should consult the Handbook for a description of the policy.

Continuous Enrollment Requirement: Students must meet the requirement specified in the front section of this Bulletin.

Research and Scholarly Integrity Education

All faculty holding Regular or Associate graduate faculty status, must complete CITI training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments. All graduate students must complete the CITI training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments the first semester they are enrolled in graduate school. The RSIE policy and training information are found on the Graduate School web page –www.usm.edu/graduate-school. Contact the Dean of the Graduate School if you have any questions regarding the policy of training information.

Master of Arts

All students are expected to successfully complete the following requirements:

1. A total of thirty (30) semester hours in History with twenty-one (21) hours in courses numbered over 600. A 3.0 GPA is required for graduation. 
2. Plan of Study. Students must submit their signed, official Plan of Study Form to the Graduate School by the end of the first semester they are enrolled. The Plan of Study Forms are available at www.usm.edu/graduateschool/planofstudy.php - click on the “Plans of Study” link.
3. HIS 710  at its first offering by the department.
4. HIS 781  and HIS 782 .
5. Students whose major field is Latin American History will take HIS 711  unless otherwise advised by the director of the graduate studies in the department.
6. A reading knowledge of one foreign language. Students in Latin American History must have a reading knowledge of either Spanish or Portuguese.
7. A thesis, which will confer six (6) hours credit within the minimum hourly requirements.
8. A comprehensive written examination.
9. A thesis defense is required.

In the comprehensive examination, all master’s students must demonstrate proficiency in one primary area of emphasis and one secondary area. Two members of the examining committee will represent the primary area, and one member will represent the secondary area. A list of approved secondary emphasis areas is available in the department’s handbook. The nature and scope of the material to be included from each area will be determined by the graduate committee.

The M.A. student should successfully complete fifteen (15) hours of course work in the primary area and six (6) hours in the secondary area in addition to HIS 710  and the 6 hours of thesis work.

The M.A. thesis must be written in the primary emphasis area.

Students planning to pursue a doctoral degree must write a thesis and should enroll in the M.A. program.