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M.A. Degree Requirements

The M.A. degree requires 30 units, completion of a thesis project or two seminar papers, and the completion of your comprehensive exam.  You may select either the Seminar Option or the Thesis Option, outlined below.

Course Requirements

HIST 695K: Historiography

  • Must be taken during your first year of the program.

Seminar Option:

  • Concentrate in one of the following fields (your Major Field): Early European History, Modern European History, United States History, East Asian History, or Latin American History.
  • 18 units in a major field (includes HIST 695K "Historiography")
  • Complete two (2) seminar papers w/HIST 696 courses
  • 12 units of elective courses

Thesis Option:

  • Concentrate in one of the following fields (your Major Field): Early European History, Modern European History, United States History, East Asian History, or Latin American History.
  • 12 units in a major field (includes HIST 695K "Historiography")
  • 12 units of elective courses
  • 6 units of HIST 910 research units (and completion of a thesis)

For Fields Without Regular or Sufficient 695/696 Courses

  • You may meet the 18 concentration units requirement by doing at least one colloquium in the major field.
  • You may take relevant 695 or 696 courses in other departments (6 units max).
  • You can take either a World History Colloquium or a Comparative History Colloquium (3 units max). 
  • Or appeal to substitute a 699 in lieu of a colloquium or seminar in the major field.

Other Requirements & Documentations

You must also complete the following reports and documentation before the completion of the M.A. program:

  • Second Language requirements & tests should be completed during the first year of the program.
     
  • Selection of your M.A. committee must be completed by the end of your second semester. It consists of your Major Advisor plus two faculty members, at least one of the latter must be from the History department.
     
  • M.A. plan of study must be submitted by the end of your second semester to the Graduate College for approval. It includes courses to be transferred (if applicable), courses are taken at the UA, and courses to be taken to fulfill program requirements.
     
  • Annual progress report must be submitted every year in January on the financial award form distributed on the graduate list-serv.
     
  • Master's Thesis (for those choosing the Thesis Option): If you choose to complete a Master's Thesis in place of the two seminar papers, the Director of Graduate Studies will assist you in selecting an appropriate advisor within our department. You are encouraged to write at least a portion of the thesis in the Department History 696b seminar. Your thesis's acceptability will be examined by your M.A. committee as part of your Comprehensive Examination.

Final Exam 

This exam can be in either oral or written format, at the discretion of your M.A. committee who administers it. The topics and bibliography will be assembled by you and your M.A. committee based on the work you completed a a graduate student.

Oral exam will not exceed three hours.

Advancement to Ph.D. Program

If you want to be considered for advancement to the Ph.D. program after you have passed the M.A. examination, you should consult with your major advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies about the process. In addition to filling out the Department's Student Petition for Advancement to the Ph.D. Program form you will need to complete the PhD application through GradApp.