Overview
The MA in United States History program at The University of Southern Mississippi provides the opportunity for graduate students to work closely with nationally recognized scholars in their fields. The skills history teaches—critical reading, advanced research, the ways in which evidence can be used to create arguments, superb writing, and oral presentation proficiency—are essential to any number of careers. A MA in United States History can provide career opportunities in academia, primary and secondary education, state and federal governments, and museums and archives.
Admission Requirements
For admission to the MA program, the school requires a 3.0 minimum grade point average in undergraduate study, GRE general test scores, transcripts, three letters of recommendation, resume, a statement of academic objectives, and an example of written work (up to 25 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 and Procedures section of the Bulletin, and they must satisfy all additional requirements stipulated by the school director and Dean of Graduate School.
In addition to the Graduate School criteria for regular admission, students whose native language is not English must score at least 90 on the TOEFL iBT Examination. The school 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 school reserves the right to require appropriate remedial courses.
Members of all underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
Retention Policy
The School of Humanities has a retention policy more stringent than the general policy of the graduate school. The program’s policy is published in its Handbook. Students should consult the Handbook for a description of the policy.
Program Requirements and Academic Policies
All students are expected to successfully complete the following requirements:
- A total of thirty (30) semester hours in History with twenty-one (21) hours in courses numbered over 600
- A reading knowledge of one foreign language or proficiency in a research tool, consisting of training in an appropriate discipline or research skill
- A thesis, which will confer six (6) hours credit (HIS 698) within the minimum hourly requirements
- A comprehensive written examination
- A thesis defense is required
- A 3.0 GPA on is required for graduation
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 program’s Handbook. The nature and scope of the material to be included from each area will be determined by the graduate committee.
The MA thesis must be written in the primary emphasis area.
For more information, see General Degree Requirements and General Academic Information .
