History (International Studies), 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 or Master of Science, International Studies Emphasis

This program is intended for graduate students in History with an International Studies orientation. Students must complete the following requirements:

1. Successful completion of thirty-six (36) semester hours with eighteen (18) hours in History and eighteen (18) in Political Science (18 hours must be 600 level or higher), as follows:
   
   1. Twelve (12) hours of core courses: HIS 710 , HIS 720 , HIS 725 , HIS 726 , HIS 781 , or HIS 782 ; PS 730 ; PS 731 ; and PS 750 
   2. The remainder of course work selected from the following: HIS 711  or HIS 712 , HIS 732 , HIS 733 , HIS 734 , HIS 736 , HIS 740 , HIS 745 , HIS 772 , HIS 774 , HIS 782 , PS 504 , PS 508 , PS 521 , PS 531 , PS 532, PS 535 , PS 550 , PS 551, PS 552 , PS 556 , PS 558 , PS 585 , PS 721 , and PS 750 .
   3. With the approval of the director of Graduate Studies, students may earn up to nine (9) hours in relevant 500-level history courses and may earn six (6) hours through study-abroad programs.
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. Students seeking a Master of Arts degree must write and defend a thesis, which will confer six (6) hours of credit within the minimum hourly requirements.
4. A reading knowledge of one foreign language.
5. The student’s graduate committee will consist of two members from the History Department and one member from the Political Science Department.
6. During the spring semester of the second year, the student will take a comprehensive written examination.
7. A 3.0 GPA 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 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.