History (United States), 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 725  and HIS 726 .
5. HIS 711  
6. A reading knowledge of one foreign language.
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.

Dual Master’s Degrees in History and Library and Information Science

In cooperation with the School of Library and Information Science, the Department of History offers a combined program leading to two master’s degrees: master in Library and Information Science and master of arts in History. Students will pursue both degrees simultaneously, and neither degree will be awarded until the entire program is completed. Students who withdraw from the dual master’s program in favor of one of the two disciplines will be bound by the degree requirements of that discipline. The combined program includes thirty (30) hours in Library and Information Science and thirty (30) hours in History for a total of sixty (60) hours. Students in the combined program must complete the following requirements:

1. Thirty (30) hours in Library and Information Science (18 hours at the 600 level or above).
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. Thirty (30) hours in History (18 hours at the 600 level or above). 
4. HIS 710  at its first offering by the department.
5. HIS 720 , HIS 725 , HIS 726 , HIS 781 , or HIS 782 .
6. One of the following seminars: HIS 711 , HIS 712 , HIS 732 , or HIS 745 .
7. Six (6) hours of internship.
8. A reading knowledge of one foreign language.
9. A thesis, which will confer six (6) hours credit, three in History and three in Library and Information Science; thesis defense is required.
10. A comprehensive written examination administered by a three-member committee representing both disciplines and given after satisfactory completion of the course work.
11. A 3.0 GPA is required for graduation.

Students should refer to the Library and Information Science  section of this Bulletin for further details.

Dual Master’s Degrees in History and Anthropology

In cooperation with the Department of Anthropology, the Department of History offers a combined program leading to two master’s degrees: master of arts in Anthropology and master of arts in History. Students will pursue both degrees simultaneously, and neither degree will be awarded until the entire program is completed. Students who withdraw from the dual master’s program in favor of one of the two disciplines will be bound by the degree requirements of that discipline. The combined program includes thirty (30) hours in Anthropology and thirty (30) hours in History for a total of sixty (60) hours. Students in the combined program must complete the following requirements:

1. Thirty (30) hours in anthropology (18 hours at the 600 level or above).
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. Thirty (30) hours in History (18 hours at the 600 level or above). 
4. HIS 710  at its first offering by the department.
5. HIS 720 , HIS 725 , HIS 726 , HIS 781 , or HIS 782 .
6. One of the following seminars: HIS 711 , HIS 712 , HIS 732 , or HIS 745 .
7. Six (6) hours of internship.
8. Three (3) or six (6) hours of the following: HIS 605 , HIS 606 .
9. ANT 537 .
10. A reading knowledge of one foreign language.
11. A thesis, which will confer six (6) hours credit, three in History and three in Anthropology; thesis defense is required.
12. A comprehensive written examination administered by a three-member committee representing both disciplines and given after satisfactory completion of the course work.
13. A 3.0 GPA is required for graduation.

Students should refer to the Anthropology  section of this Bulletin for further details.