History, M.A.
Minimum Totals for Graduation: 30 hours
The Department of History offers a Master of Arts degree.
An Accelerated program for this degree is available to highly motivated students to accelerate their academic careers by undertaking graduate work toward the traditional Master of Arts degree (not the Joint M.A. in History) concurrently with undergraduate work.
Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards
Admission Requirement Snapshot
GPA: 3.0 (and 3.0 in major)
Application Deadline: July 15 (Fall), Nov. 1 (Spring)
See Admission Requirement Details Below
To be admitted to the Master of Arts program, a student must present 20 or more hours of history or historically oriented courses in related fields with a grade point average in history of 3.0 or higher. For M.A. students who are seeking funding, please submit a Statement of Purpose that includes 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.
Admission Deadlines
For the traditional M.A., students wishing a fall semester admission must apply no later than July 15. For spring semester admission the deadline is November 1.
Retention Standards
Maintenance of a GPA average of 3.0 or higher.
Program Requirements
Required Courses
- Thirty (30) hours of graduate coursework, including HST 600.
- At least eighteen (18) hours of coursework must be completed at or above the 600 level. At least twenty (20) hours must be completed in history courses.
- Ten (10) or fewer cognate hours may be selected with an advisor from one or more of the following fields: anthropology, economics, education, English, geography, philosophy, political science, religion, and sociology. Other fields may be approved by the advisor.
- At least two history colloquia at the 600 level (HST 690 will not satisfy this requirement).
- Additional Requirement for the Accelerated Master of Arts program: Three to twelve (3-12) hours of the above (except Thesis credit) must have been taken concurrently with the student's B.A. degree work.
Additional Requirements
A minimum of 6 hours of history research and writing courses earned in one of the following ways:
Plan A - Thesis
A thesis, including an oral examination in the field of the thesis.
Plan B - Seminars
Either (1) two seminars or (2) one seminar and 3 hours in HST 791. Students electing Plan B must submit two research papers as evidence of scholarship. These papers must be prepared in connection with a seminar, an independent research course, or a graduate-level course in the Department of History. Each paper must receive a minimum grade of B. In addition, normally after revision, each must be accepted by the professor responsible for the course as satisfactory for permanent filing. Papers must be well written and presented in a proper scholarly format. Their conclusions must rest on interpretation of a substantial body of primary sources. A minimum 6,000 words is suggested.
Total: 30 semester hours
Accelerated Master of Arts in History
(Currently enrolled CMU Undergraduate students only)
Admission Standards:
- Written approval of a CMU history professor.
- Six (6) hours of history coursework completed with at least a 3.00 GPA in those courses and a 3.00 overall GPA.
Retention Standards:
- Maintenance of a 3.0 GPA in history courses.
- Failure to maintain satisfactory work (3.0 GPA) in two successive semesters will result in removal from the accelerated program.
- Candidates for the accelerated program must seek graduate school approval of courses selected to double count on both the B.A. and M.A.
Students considering an accelerated M.A. program should be aware that their financial aid may be affected for courses double counting on the B.A. and M.A. Contact the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid for information at 989-774-3674 or cmuosfa@cmich.edu.