History & Art History

For Current MA Students:

Selection of Comprehensive Readings and Exam

NOTE: Please note that starting in Fall 2008, the comprehensive readings and exam are only required for students in Path I – Predoctoral program of study.

1. When should I start the comprehensive readings procedure? Near the end of your coursework.

2. Can I choose my own reading’s professor? No, the Graduate Director will assign a faculty member to you based on the gaps in your coursework in your major field.

3. When should I take the comprehensive readings? You are required to complete all other coursework before you can take the comprehensive exam.

4. Can I take the comprehensive readings before completing my thesis? Yes.

5. How do I register for comprehensive, directed readings, or a thesis? An Individualized Section Form is initiated by Sharon Bloomquist after approval is given by the Graduate Director. It is the student’s responsibility to hand-carry the form to the Registrar’s Office to register for the course.

6.  How do I register my thesis with the library? Contact Sarah Patton, in Fenwick Library at (703-993-2222) or e-mail at spatton@gmu.edu.

7. How do I study for the comprehensive exam? Contact your readings professor to ask what topics will be covered.

8.  How are comprehensive readings and exams graded? Students will receive a standard letter grade for the readings course, and a grade of pass, pass with distinction, or fail for the comprehensive exam.

9. How will I find out the results of my comprehensive exam? The results will be emailed to you by the History Graduate Office and a memo of the results will be faxed to the Graduation Office in the Registrar’s Office.

Program Requirements

1. What are provisional requirements? Provisional requirements are those requirements that are recommended for students who may not have majored in History as an undergraduate. The student may be required to take up to four foundation courses (12 credits) in HIST 601, 602, 605, and/or 606 beyond the credits required for the masters program. It is recommended that you take these courses early in your coursework, but they may be taken any time (but before your comprehensive exam in Path I).

2. Is there a form that lists all my requirements for the program? Yes, there are program of study forms available online.

3. What are the steps to changing my path or concentration? You must be advised by the Graduate Director. When the change is firm, email the Graduate Office at sbloomqu@gmu.edu .

4. Is there a foreign language requirement? Only in Path I (Predoctoral) and Path II (Applied History).

5. Where do I get a copy of my official transcript? You may request a copy of your official transcript from the Registrar’s Office at http://registrar.gmu.edu/students/index.html.

Advising and Appointments

1. Whom do I contact for an appointment after being admitted to the program? Email the History Graduate Office at sbloomqu@gmu.edu or call 703-993-1248.

2. Who is my advisor? The Graduate Director is the advisor for all current masters students.

3. When is the graduate director available for advising? Advising hours with the Graduate Director are on Tuesdays from 4:00 – 6:00 pm in Robinson Hall 375A.

4. Where do I go to find a professor’s specific expertise? Check the department’s web site http://history.gmu.edu and click on the Faculty and Staff link.

5. What are a particular professor’s office hours? You must call any staff member in the department to obtain office hours for a specific professor.

6. What if I can’t meet with the graduate director during his usual advising hours? You must email the Graduate Director directly at mholt@gmu.edu. Telephone appointments are also scheduled.

7. What are the hours for the History Graduate Office? 7:30 am – 1:30 pm., Monday – Friday.

8. Do I need to bring anything to my appointment? Student files will be given to the Graduate Director to review at the time of the appointment.

9. Where do I get a copy of course descriptions and syllabus? You may find course descriptions and syllabi on the web site.

10. Do you have any courses offered at any other GMU campuses? Yes, occasionally we offer courses at the Arlington campus.

11. How will I know when, where, and what books I need to get for the semester? Booklists for every course are submitted to the bookstore every semester.

12. Why are my grades not showing up in the current semester? Your first grade has not been posted.

Graduation

1. How do I know when I have met all my requirements for the History MA degree? Students must contact the Graduate Office or request a degree audit from the registrar’s office.

2. What parts of the application do I need to complete? Graduate students must complete a paper graduation application by a specified date given on the Graduation website in the Registrar’s Office at http://registrar.gmu.edu/gif/index.html.

3. Does the diploma specify a certain concentration? No.

Assistantships

1. How do I apply for an assistantship? Download the application from the web site and send to the Graduate Office.

2. What is the deadline for applying for an assistantship? April 15.

3.  How do I apply for financial assistance? To inquire about financial aid at the university, you must visit the website at http://www.gmu.edu/catalog/tuition/#Anchor34.

4. What are my chances of obtaining an assistantship as Masters student? Assistantships are very competitive at the Masters level because most of our assistantships go to doctoral students. Masters students must apply every year to the Graduate Office.

5. How many credits are covered by tuition waivers? Masters students must be registered for six credits to be considered for an assistantship and all six credits are covered by tuition waivers.

Registration

1. How can graduate students register for undergraduate courses in order to fulfill their language requirement? Fax a request to the Registrar’s Office at 703-993-4668. Please include your name, G#, course #, phone #, and your signature.

2. What is the deadline for registration? Registration deadlines are posted every semester on the Registrar’s website at http://registrar.gmu.edu/.

3. Do I need to be advised before registering for classes? No, but it is recommended.

4. What are CRN numbers? They are 5-digit course numbers used to register in Patriot Web.

5. Where can I get a copy of the current semester’s brochure? Email the request to the graduate office sbloomqu@gmu.edu.

Program Notes

Students must get their parking pass at the Sandy Creek Parking Deck and identification card at the Student Union II building on campus.

MASTERS PROGRAM MOST FREQUENTLY USED LINKS:

Patriot Web https://patriotweb.gmu.edu

History Website http://history.gmu.edu

Registrar’s Office http://registrar.gmu.edu/

Summer Website http://summer.gmu.edu

Library Website (Dissertations & theses) http://thesis.gmu.edu/

Human Resources http://hr.gmu.edu/

Consortium Services http://registrar.gmu.edu/students/consortium/index.html

Financial Aid http://www.gmu.edu/catalog/tuition/#Anchor34

Registrar Student Resources http://registrar.gmu.edu/students/index.html

University Forms http://registrar.gmu.edu/forms/index.html

People Finder http://www.gmu.edu/mlnavbar/finder/

Campus Tours http://admissions.gmu.edu/common/visitMason.asp

Why Choose Mason? Click on the video at http://admissions.gmu.edu/common/whyMason.asp