History, Joint M.A.
Minimum Totals for Graduation: 36 hours
The Joint Master of Arts degree is offered in association with a partner institution abroad.
Overview
This degree requires two years of study: one year at Central Michigan University and one year of post-baccalaureate study in history at a partner institution. It serves two distinct groups of students:
- Partner Students. Students coming to CMU from partner institutions as part of a graduate exchange agreement with the Department of History ("partner students") must apply for and enroll in the Joint MA as their primary CMU degree program.
- Joint PhD Students. Students who apply for the Joint PhD program in history are automatically enrolled in the Joint MA, whose requirements comprise the first two years of study in the Joint PhD. With the exception of partner students as defined above, students may not apply directly for admission to the Joint MA, although they are eligible to receive the degree after completing its requirements as part of the Joint PhD program.
While both groups of students have the same degree requirements, distinct admissions criteria and transfer policies apply to each group as detailed below.
Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards
General Admission Requirement Snapshot (all students)
GPA: 3.3
Entrance Exam: GRE
Application Deadline: Jan. 3 (Fall)
See Admission Requirement Details Below
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent with at least 20 hours of history or related courses with a GPA of 3.3 or higher.
- GRE (for native English-speakers); GRE or TOEFL (for non-native English-speakers). GRE subject-area tests in history are not required.
- Statement of Purpose: In your statement (500-1,000 words) include a description of your academic background and preparation including any language preparation; identify the area or areas of history you want to study; outline your career goals; indicate why you are drawn to a program in transnational and comparative history; and, finally, identify which partner institution would be most appropriate for your year abroad and why.
Partner Students
In addition to general admission requirements, the following admissions criteria apply to students coming to CMU from a partner institution as part of a graduate exchange agreement with the Department of History:
- At least one year (18 hours equivalent) of post-baccalaureate study in history at a partner institution
- At least one substantial research paper, equivalent to the paper described in the CMU Year requirements below, completed at a partner institution
- Recommendation by the student's partner institution supporting the student's application for the Joint MA
All Other Students
Admission to the Joint PhD in History. See Joint PhD program for details. Separate application for the Joint MA is not required.
Transfer Policies
Partner Students
Partner students who meet the admissions criteria specified above will have completed all degree requirements for the Partner Year; these credits will be applied toward the Joint MA at CMU. No transfer credit will be given toward degree requirements for the CMU Year. After completing the requirements for their CMU Year as specified below, partner students are eligible to receive the Joint MA.
All Other Students
Non-partner students admitted to the Joint PhD program are automatically enrolled in the Joint MA and may transfer up to 18 hours of credit toward the Joint MA. Transfer credit will be granted only for courses and requirements approved as equivalent to the degree requirements listed below under "CMU Year." No transfer credit will be given toward degree requirements for the Partner Year.
Program Requirements
CMU Year (18 hours)
During their year at CMU students must take a minimum of 18 hours and produce at least one research paper approved for permanent filing.
Required Courses (6-9 hours)
| HST 600 | Historiography | 3-6(3-0) |
| HST 601 | Colloquium in Transnational and Comparative History | 3(3-0) |
| HST 700 | Practicum in College Teaching | 3(3-0) |
Note: HST 600 is not required if student has taken an approved equivalent at a partner institution.
Electives (9-12 hours)
- At least one graduate colloquium in history (3 hours). Eligible courses include all 600-level HST courses with the exception of HST 600, HST 601, HST 619, HST 681, HST 690, and HST 695.
- At least one graduate research seminar in history (3 hours). This includes all 700-level HST courses with the exception of HST 700, HST 791, HST 795, and HST 798.
- Other graduate courses in history or cognate fields as approved by advisor (3-6 hours).
Research Paper
Students must write at least one major research paper based on the interpretation of a substantial body of primary sources, prepared in connection with a 700-level seminar elective or an independent research course. The paper must receive a minimum grade of B. In addition, and normally after revision, the paper must be accepted by the professor responsible for the course as satisfactory for permanent filing. A minimum length of 7,500 words is suggested.
Partner Year (18 hours)
During their year at a partner institution students must take a minimum of 18 hours (equivalent) and produce at least one major research paper.
Electives (18 hours)
18 hours (equivalent) of coursework in history, in accordance with partner institution’s program requirements and applicable agreement(s) with CMU and the Department of History.
Research Paper
Major research paper based on the interpretation of a substantial body of primary sources, ordinarily prepared in a seminar or independent research course under the supervision of partner faculty in history. A minimum length of 7,500 words is suggested.
Total: 36 semester hours