Academic Catalog

History (M.A.)

The M.A. in History is an academic degree for students who want to seek employment in government jobs within the state department or intelligence field, teach history at the secondary school level, who are considering pursuing a doctorate, who want to conduct independent research, or who are lifelong learners with an interest in historical scholarship. The M.A. degree can be completed in two years of full-time study. Students who wish to complete the degree entirely or primarily in person, but who may elect to take some online courses, should enroll in the History M.A. program. Students who wish to complete the degree fully online should enroll in the History M.A. - online program. 

Admission Requirements

Admission to this program is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School. Earning a graduate degree is an undertaking which requires a considerable commitment of time and financial resources. The Department of History expects applicants to its graduate program to arrive well-prepared to undertake a rigorous course of study.

The department normally considers only applicants whose undergraduate grade point average is at least 3.00 overall and at least 3.25 in a minimum of eighteen semester credits in history and related subjects at the advanced undergraduate level. Applicants should have or be in the process of acquiring relevant foreign language preparation to enter the area in which they wish to study. The department requires that all applicants submit a statement of purpose, a writing sample, two letters of recommendation from former instructors, a resume or curriculum vitae, and copies of transcripts from each college or university previously attended. Please consult the Department of History graduate handbook for detailed instructions for preparing application materials.

Application deadlines are October 15 (for Winter admission), January 15 (for Fall admission with funding consideration), and April 15 (for Fall admission without funding consideration).

M.A. in History (Plan A/Thesis)

(30 credits, 22 in regular coursework and 8 in thesis credits; courses may be taken in person or online)

HIS 7830Methods and Research in History3
HIS 7832History Practicum3
HIS 8999Master's Thesis Research and Direction8
At least three (3) courses in an M.A. field (U.S., Europe, World); HIS 7990, Directed Study, may only count toward the three courses if taken for three (3) or more credits
At least two (2) 8000-level seminars, at least one which is in the M.A. field
No more than two (2) courses may be taken at the 5000- or 6000-level without permission of the advisor and DGS (granted by their signatures on the Plan of Work); 5000- and 6000-level courses must be offered for graduate credit to count toward the M.A. degree

M.A. in History (Plan B/Essay) 

(30 credits, 27 in regular coursework and 3 in essay credits; courses may be taken in person or online)

HIS 7830Methods and Research in History3
HIS 7832History Practicum3
HIS 7999Master's Essay Direction3
At least three (3) courses in an M.A. field (U.S., Europe, World); HIS 7990, Directed Study, may only count toward the three courses if taken for three (3) or more credits
At least two (2) 8000-level seminars, at least one which is in the M.A. field
No more than two (2) courses may be taken at the 5000- or 6000-level without permission of the advisor and DGS (granted by their signatures on the Plan of Work); 5000- and 6000-level courses must be offered for graduate credit to count toward the M.A. degree

M.A. in History (Online) 

(30 credits, 27 in regular coursework and 3 in essay credits; all courses must be taken online)

HIS 7830Methods and Research in History (normally taken in the first fall semester of enrollment)3
HIS 7832History Practicum (normally taken in the first or second winter semester of enrollment)3
HIS 7999Master's Essay Direction3
HIS Electives (21 credits), including at least two 8000-level seminars21
Total Credits30

History AGRADE Requirements

The History department’s M.A. and M.A.P.H. degrees both offer the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences' Accelerated Graduate Enrollment (AGRADE) program to qualified undergraduates. AGRADE provides the opportunity for top students to enroll simultaneously in an undergraduate and graduate degree program, and to apply a maximum of 16 credits toward both their undergraduate and master’s degrees in the student's major or closely aligned field.

Students electing AGRADE programs may expect to complete both their bachelor's and master's degrees in only five years of full-time study. This allows students to save both time and money as they pursue their undergraduate and graduate degrees simultaneously, making the most of their experiences at Wayne State. Students must apply for the AGRADE program during the semester that they earn 90 credits toward an undergraduate degree (typically during junior year). Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 and final approval from their major department. In addition, the Department of History requires the following materials for application to AGRADE:

  • completion of the WSU History AGRADE application; a copy of the student's unofficial transcript(s);
  • a copy of the student's HIS 3000 paper or another paper based on primary source research;
  • a one-page single-spaced letter of interest that conveys clearly and concisely the student's proposed area(s) of study, including period, region, topic, and/or approach, tentative career goals, and the faculty member(s) with whom the student would like to work and why;
  • a letter of recommendation from a faculty member (the faculty member should email their recommendation directly to the Director of Graduate Studies).

More information about AGRADE is available through CLAS.

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