The Master of Arts in History

Course Requirements for the Master’s Degree: 30 units

Continuous enrollment is required. A maximum of 9 semester units of transfer credit may be applied toward the degree.
Graduate Time Limit: All requirements for the degree are to be completed within five years of the end of the semester of enrollment in the oldest course applied toward the degree. See “Graduate Education” in The University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

The Master of Arts in History requires that at least 27 of the 30 units be taken within the field of history. Three units may be taken in another discipline, with prior approval of the Graduate Coordinator.

Prerequisites for Admission to Conditionally Classified Status:

1. Satisfactory grade point average as specified in “Admission to Master’s Degree Programs” in The University Catalog.

2. Approval by the department and the Office of Graduate Programs.

3. An acceptable baccalaureate in History from an accredited institution or an acceptable baccalaureate in another discipline and a program in remedial work in history which has the prior approval of the Graduate Coordinator.

Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Status:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Completion of the Graduate Record Examination with minimum scores of 500 on the verbal portion and 850 on the verbal and analytical sections combined.

2. For those not initially admitted to classified status, a postbaccalaureate grade point average of at least 3.0 in a minimum of 12 units taken toward completion of the requirements for the MA. The department graduate committee will review grade reports each semester and recommend changes in status to the Office of Graduate Programs.

Advancement to Candidacy:

In addition to any requirements listed above:

1. Classified graduate standing and completion at the university of at least 9 units of the proposed program.

2. Formation of the graduate advisory committee in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

3. Development of an approved program in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator.

Requirements for the MA Degree in History:

Completion of all requirements as established by the department graduate committee, the graduate advisory committee, and the Office of Graduate Programs, to include:

1. Completion of an approved program consisting of 30 units of 200/300-level courses as follows:
(a) At least 18 units of 300-level courses in the discipline of history.
(b) Not more than 9 semester units of transfer and/or extension credit (correspondence courses and U.C. extension course work are not acceptable).
(c) Not more than 15 units taken before admission to classified status.
(d) Not more than a total of 10 units of Independent Study (398) and Master’s Thesis (399); not more than 6 units of Master’s Thesis (399).
(e) Satisfactory completion of HIST 390, Historiography (3 units).

2. Satisfactory completion of a terminal oral examination based on a reading list to be determined by the student and his/her graduate advisory committee.

3. Completion of one of the following:
(a) Comprehensive Examination: most students will be required to satisfactorily complete a terminal examination to be administered by the student’s graduate advisory committee.
(b) Thesis Plan: subject to the prior approval of a student’s graduate advisory committee and the department graduate committee, a student may enroll in Master’s Thesis (HIST 399) for up to 6 units of credit. Only those students who can show that their proposed thesis will constitute a substantial research study based mostly on primary sources will be permitted to select this option. Final approval of the thesis is subject to a successful oral examination in which the student defends the thesis.

4. Maintenance of attendance. Graduate seminars are central to the history graduate program. Student seminar assignments are typically integrated with those of other students. It is therefore important that graduate students attend seminar meetings as scheduled and meet deadlines and appointments.

5. Approval by the department graduate committee and the Graduate Coordinators Committee on behalf of the faculty of the university.

Graduate Literacy Requirement:

Writing proficiency is a graduation requirement.

History degree students will normally demonstrate writing competence through their successful completion of HIST 390, Historiography.

Graduate Grading Requirements:

All courses in the major (with the exceptions of Independent Study-398 and Master’s Study-399) must be taken for a letter grade, except those courses specified by the department as ABC/No Credit (200-level courses), AB/No Credit (300-level courses), or Credit/No Credit grading only. A maximum of 10 units combined of ABC/No Credit, AB/No Credit, and Credit/No Credit grades may be used on the approved program (including 398, 399, and courses outside the major). While grading standards are determined by individual programs and instructors, it is also the policy of the university that unsatisfactory grades may be given when work fails to reflect achievement of the high standards, including high writing standards, expected of students pursuing graduate study.

Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all course work on the approved master’s degree program as well as in all course work taken subsequent to admission to conditionally classified status.

Graduate Advising Requirement:

Advising is recommended each semester for all History graduate students. Consult the Graduate Coordinator for specifics.