History & Art History

Degree Requirements

Students pursuing this degree must complete the requirements for one of the concentrations described below. The concentrations require 30 credits of course work along with a specialization in U.S. history (AH), modern European history (EH), or world history (WH). The concentration in teaching requires 36 credits.

To remedy deficiencies in their undergraduate preparation, students may be required to take up to 12 additional credits of foundation courses, which cover broad thematic areas (HIST 601, 602, 605, 606). If required as foundational, these credits cannot be applied toward the credits required for the degree.

If foundation courses are not required at admission, students in the concentrations in enrichment and teaching may apply one of the themes courses toward their degree. Students in the other concentrations may not apply these courses toward their degree.

Concentrations in Predoctoral History

These concentrations are for students planning to continue to doctoral studies.

• One required course (3 credits): HIST 610 taken within the first 9 credits
• Five courses (15 credits) in an area of specialization listed below, including 3 credits of a research seminar (HIST 711, 731, or 751) and 3 credits of a comprehensive reading course (HIST 790, 791, or 792) designed by the student and a professor and taken during the last semester of course work. (The comprehensive readings course generally requires reading beyond what is required in the other concentrations. This course is used to round out general historical knowledge and prepare students for the comprehensive exam.)
• Specialization in U.S. history (at least 3 credits from each group): Origins to 1861, 1861–1914, 1914 World War I to the present
• Specialization in European history (at least 3 credits from each group): Ancient, medieval, and early modern to 1789; 1789–1914; 1914 to the present
• Specialization in world history (at least 3 credits from two regions): Africa, Asia, Middle East, Latin America
• Two courses (6 credits) of electives in history
• Written comprehensive exam (Students who do not pass are given the option of a second written exam following the original procedures. The second exam must be taken within a calendar year.)
• 6 credits in HIST 799 thesis or 3 credits in HIST 798. (HIST 798 requires the completion of a major paper that is a substantial and original contribution to historical knowledge on the model of an article in a scholarly journal. If the major paper option is chosen, students must complete an additional 3 credits in the major field.)
• Reading proficiency in a modern foreign language, as demonstrated by course work or an exam

Concentrations in Predoctoral History with an Emphasis in Cultural History

This emphasis is for students with a particular interest in cultural history and students considering future work in the cultural studies doctoral program. Completion of this emphasis does not guarantee admission into the doctoral program; those interested in enrolling in that program should contact the Cultural Studies Program.

• One required course (3 credits): HIST 610 taken within the first 9 credits

• Five courses (15 credits) in an area of specialization listed below, including 3 credits of a research seminar (HIST 711, 731, or 751) and 3 credits of a comprehensive reading course (HIST 790, 791, or 792) designed by the student and a professor and taken during the last semester of course work. (The comprehensive readings course generally requires reading beyond what is required in the other concentrations. This course is used to round out general historical knowledge and prepare students for the comprehensive exam.)

• Specialization in U.S. history (at least 3 credits from each group): Origins to 1861, 1861–1914, 1914 World War I to the present
• Specialization in European history (at least 3 credits from each group): Ancient, medieval, early modern to 1789; 1789–1914; 1914 to the present
• Specialization in world history (at least 3 credits from two regions): Africa, Asia, Middle East, Latin America
• One course (3 credits): CULT 802
• One course (3 credits) of approaches to cultural history
• One course (3 credits) from outside the area of specialization, containing a significant cultural history component as defined by the instructor
• Written comprehensive exam (Students who do not pass are given the option of a second written exam following the original procedures. The second exam must be taken within a calendar year.)
• 6 credits in HIST 799 thesis or 3 credits in HIST 798. (HIST 798 requires the completion of a major paper on a topic in cultural history that is a substantial and original contribution to historical knowledge on the model of an article in a scholarly journal. If the major paper option is chosen, students must complete an additional 3 credits in the major field.)
• Reading proficiency in a modern foreign language, as demonstrated by course work or an exam

Concentrations in Applied History

This concentration is for students seeking expertise in applied history fields, such as archival management, museum studies, historic preservation, and historical editing. It is also suitable for professionally employed historians who desire to further their careers.

• One required course (3 credits): HIST 610 taken within the first 9 credits
• Five courses (15 credits) in an area of specialization listed below, including 3 credits of a research seminar (HIST 711, 731, or 751)
• Specialization in U.S. history (at least 3 credits from each group): Origins to 1861, 1861–1914, 1914 World War I to the present
• Specialization in European history (at least 3 credits from each group): Ancient, medieval, early modern to 1789; 1789–1914; 1914 to the present
• Specialization in world history (at least 3 credits from two regions): Africa, Asia, Middle East, Latin America
• 6 credits of applied history courses (historic preservation, museum studies, archives, historical editing, or new media and information technology)
• 3 or 6 credits of internship (if a 3-credit internship is selected, the other 3 credits are taken in applied history course work)
• Proficiency in a relevant research tool (computers, statistics, or a modern foreign language), as demonstrated by course work or exam

Concentrations in Applied History with New Media and Information Technology Emphasis

• One required course (3 credits): HIST 610 taken within the first 9 credits
• Five courses (15 credits) in an area of specialization listed, below including 3 credits of research seminar (HIST 711, 731, or 751)
• Specialization in U.S. history (at least 3 credits from each group): Origins to 1861, 1861–1914, 1914 World War I to the present
• Specialization in European history (at least 3 credits from each group): Ancient, medieval, early modern to 1789; 1789–1914; 1914 to the present
• Specialization in world history (at least 3 credits from two regions): Africa, Asia, Middle East, Latin America
• Two courses (6 credits) in new media and information technology course work
• 3 or 6 credits of internship in information technology (If a 3-credit internship is selected, the other 3 credits are taken in applied history course work.)
• Proficiency in a relevant research tool (computer science, statistics, information technology, or a modern foreign language), as demonstrated by course work or exam

Concentrations in Enrichment

This concentration is for students who want to study history for intellectual self-fulfillment or vocational reasons. It allows more flexibility in the selection of courses and does not have a foreign language requirement.

• One required course (3 credits): HIST 610 taken within the first 9 credits
• Five courses (15 credits) in an area of specialization listed below, including 3 credits of a research seminar (HIST 711, 731, or 751)
• Specialization in U.S. history (at least 3 credits from each group): Origins to 1861, 1861–1914, 1914 World War I to the present
• Specialization in European history (at least 3 credits from each group): Ancient, medieval, early modern to 1789; 1789–1914; 1914 to the present
• Specialization in world history (at least 3 credits from two regions): Africa, Asia, Middle East, Latin America
• One course (3 credits) of research seminar: HIST 711, 731, or 751
• Four courses (12 credits) of electives

Six credits of thesis work HIST 799 are optional. If a thesis is elected, students must complete only 6 credits of electives.

Concentration in Teaching

This concentration is intended for students already licensed for teaching or seeking licensure. Although it includes course work in history and education, completion of this concentration alone is not sufficient to qualify for licensure. A licensure program is offered by the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), and admission is limited. Students are advised to consult with CEHD for specific requirements regarding licensure.

• One required course (3 credits): HIST 610 taken within the first 9 credits
• Six courses (18 credits) in history at least 3 credits each from U.S., European, and world history
• One course (3 credits) of research seminar: HIST 711, 731, or 751
• Four courses (12 credits) in graduate education courses, including EDCI 567