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M.A. Thesis Track

 For full time students, the recommended timetable for this thirty (30) hour degree is as follows:

First Year: Regardless of how students arrange their courses in their first year, all students will be expected to complete a research seminar, at least one historiography course, at least one major field course, at least one minor field course, complete the foreign language requirement and determine topics for their M.A. thesis. The remaining two courses will be chosen according to students’ individual program requirements and the available course offerings.

Second Year: Complete remaining coursework, form thesis committee, research, write, and defend M.A. thesis.

We expect all students to complete all coursework and defend their thesis by the end of their second year. Degree-plan worksheets for all fields can be found here:

Student Degree Plan Worksheet

Major area

Each student must declare a major area of study, selecting from United States, European, Latin American, Modern Arab/Middle East, or Global history.

Europe

  • Ancient History
  • Early Modern England
  • Modern France
  • Modern European Social and Women’s History
  • Modern European Intellectual
  • Modern Russia/USSR

Latin America

United States

Global History

Specific field definitions for M.A. work in Global history will be determined in consultation with the thesis committee, subject to approval by the Director of Graduate Studies. Examples of what might be attempted in this field include America and the world; the Atlantic World; comparative history involving study of two or more countries, regions, or continents; energy and the environment; gender; immigration history; international relations; the Pacific Rim; the Global South; Capitalism and Labor; and race and ethnicity. Students may base their Global work in any of the regions where the department has faculty resources: Africa, Asia, Europe, Global South, Latin America, Modern Arab/Middle East, or the United States. For a detailed list of faculty research interests, please visit the Faculty Page.

For a complete description of all program requirements and policies, please download the Graduate Student Handbook. The material on this website constitutes a brief introduction to the program and the application process.