United States History Track

What is the United States History Track?

The United State History track allows students to specialize in the history of the United States of America.  By following broad curriculum, students develop an integrated understanding of how historical trends influence the development of American culture, politics, and society.

Program requirements

The American studies track within the Master of Arts in History degree is a 30-hour program that requires the completion of the history core and the additional requirements of the specified track. The American studies track requires the completion of nine graduate hours in disciplines relating to but outside of American history.

Students can complete this track online, subject to course availability to complete the 9 hours of coursework work in related disciplines.  The history department cannot guarantee online course availability in other departments.

Master of Arts, History

Djene Bajalan, Graduate Director
Strong Hall, Room 442; Phone 417-836-5913
HistoryGraduateAdvisor@missouristate.edu

Sarah Panzer, Co-Graduate Director
Strong Hall, Room 429; Phone 417-836-5099
HistoryGraduateAdvisor@missouristate.edu

Program description

The program is designed to provide instruction in various subject areas of history, which can prepare the student for advanced study at the doctoral level or serve as a terminal degree. There are three program tracks: United States History, World History, and U.S. and World History.

Entrance requirements

  1. Applicants must meet the minimum GPA of the Graduate College (2.75 on a 4.00 scale) to be considered for admission. Meeting the minimum standards is required for admittance but does not guarantee admission. Candidates with a GPA of 3.00 and above are generally preferred.
  2. Applicants with 24 undergraduate hours in history are preferred. However, applicants with a background in associated fields from the social sciences, humanities, and/or education will also be considered. The department also considers applications from in-service certified teachers.

Potential applications who do not meet these criteria may contact the Graduate Director. It is possible to take undergraduate credits through Missouri State University to make up any deficits in either coursework or GPA requirements.

Application Process and Materials

All applicants must apply via the GradCAS system. Application materials should not be sent to the department directly. The department can only consider completed applications that include the following materials.

  • Curriculum Vitae: Applicants must include an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV). This document should include a list of the applicant’s degree(s) as well as their GPA for each of their qualifications.
  • Transcripts: Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree and submit the relevant transcripts to the GradCAS system. For the purpose of the application process, applicants may submit unofficial copies of their transcript(s) to the GradCAS system. Successful applicants will be required to submit official transcripts to the Graduate College within the first semester of their studies. If the applicant has credits from multiple institutions, the applicant must submit documentation for all institutions attended.
  • Three Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must have three letters of recommendation. While academic references are preferred, applicants may also submit professional references, especially if the applicant is applying after a significant hiatus in their studies. Recommendations must be submitted via the GradCAS system. Please note that the GradCas system allows students to send a link directly to their referee, which allows their referee to submit their letter of recommendation directly to the applicant’s file.
  • Writing sample: Applicants must submit a writing sample of approximately 2,000 words. Writing samples must be submitted via the GradCAS system. It is recommended, although not required, that this writing sample is a piece of academic writing (preferably from the discipline of history), such as an essay or an excerpt from a longer work (such as a capstone project or thesis). For applicants who do not have an example of their academic writing, a sample of professional writing that the applicant feels accurately reflects their abilities may be submitted.
  • Evidence of Teaching Certification (if applicable): Applicants with a teaching certificate in social studies from a US state or territory should submit a copy of their certification via the GradCas system.

Should applicants have any technical issues pertaining to GradCas, they should contact Graduate Admissions.

Dates of Consideration

For full consideration, complete applications must be received by March 1 for summer or fall admission and October 1 for spring admission. Applications received after the deadline will be considered, dependent on course availability.

Late admissions are processed in April for entry in the summer and the fall semesters and November for entry in the spring semester. If the department has already admitted a full cohort of students by that time, late applications will be automatically moved to the subsequent semester’s application pool.

Graduate Record Examination

Please note that Missouri State University History Department DOES NOT require the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE).

Accelerated Master's Degree option

Eligible history majors may apply for preliminary acceptance into the History MA program after admission requirements for the accelerated master's option have been satisfied. Once accepted, students will be able to take up to 9 hours of graduate-level history courses that apply to both their undergraduate and graduate programs. Once accepted, students can take HST 701, Historiography, which will count toward both degrees and will meet the HST 390, Historiography, requirements for a history major. This option gives exceptional undergraduate students the opportunity to complete their bachelor's and master's degrees in five years (10 semesters and a summer). Before enrolling in courses to be counted for both undergraduate and graduate credit, an undergraduate student must be accepted into the accelerated master's program and receive prior approval from the history department head, history graduate director and the dean of the Graduate College.

Admission Requirements for the Accelerated Master's Degree Option
  1. Junior standing, with an overall GPA of 3.25.
  2. Major in History, and completed a minimum of 15 hours in history, including at least one course at the 300-level or higher, with a GPA in the major of 3.40.
  3. Recommendation by a faculty member in the History Department

Total hours for MA degree - 30

United States History Track

The United States History track within the Master of Arts in History degree is a 30-hour program that requires the completion of the history core courses and the track requirements.

Students must take at least 15 credit hours at the 700 level. This degree may be completed entirely online, although there may be limited availability of some courses.

Students may take up to 9 credits outside the history department with the permission of the Graduate Director. The history department cannot guarantee online course availability in other departments.

Students do not have to declare whether they intend to complete the Thesis or Non-Thesis option immediately upon entry into the program. However, students who wish to complete the Thesis option must ensure that appropriate supervision for their project is available within the department. The History Department cannot guarantee thesis supervision to all students.

MA History Core Courses (12 hrs)

Students must obtain at least a B grade in one course from each of the following four categories.

  1. 3 hours - HST 701 Historiography and Historical Methods
  2. 3 hours - US History Primary Source Seminar: HST 783, HST 784, HST 785, HST 786, HST 787
  3. 3 hours - US History Reading Seminar: HST 720, HST 724, HST 725
  4. 3 hours - US History Research Seminar: HST 730​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
United States History Requirements (12 hrs)

12 credit hours of US History courses at either the 600 or 700 level. Students may complete additional US History Primary Source Seminars, US Reading Seminars, and/or US History Research Seminars to meet this requirement. ​​​​Eligible courses: HST 609, 611, 615, 616, 617, 618, 619, 621, 623, 624, 625, 628, 631, 636, 637, 638, 698, 720, 724, 725, 730, 783, 784, 785, 786, 787

Research Requirement (6 hrs)

Non-thesis Option – Students may fulfill the research requirement of the degree by obtaining at least a B grade in one US History Primary Source Seminar, one US History Readings Seminar, and one US History Research Seminar. These courses count towards the fulfillment of requirements 2, 3, and 4 in the Core requirements. In addition, Non-Thesis students must complete 6 hours of elective courses. These may be outside the history department with the approval of the graduate director. Eligible courses: HST 609, 611, 614, 615, 616, 617, 618, 619, 621, 623, 624, 625, 628, 629, 631, 632, 636, 637, 638, 641, 642, 645, 648, 649, 651, 653, 655, 659, 663, 664, 666, 671, 672, 673, 674, 682, 688, 698, 710, 720, 724, 725, 730, 740, 750, 760, 770, 775, 780, 783, 784, 785, 786, 787, 790, 792

Thesis option – Alternatively, students may fulfill the research requirement through the completion and successful defense of a thesis. Thesis students must complete 6 credit hours of HST 799, Thesis, with their thesis supervisor.

World History Track

The World History track within the Master of Arts in History degree is a 30-hour program that requires the completion of the history core courses and the track requirements.

Students must take at least 15 credit hours at the 700 level. This degree may be completed entirely online, although there may be limited availability of some courses.

Students may take up to 9 credits outside the history department with the permission of the Graduate Director. The history department cannot guarantee online course availability in other departments.

Students do not have to declare whether they intend to complete the Thesis or Non-Thesis option immediately upon entry into the program. However, students who wish to complete the Thesis option must ensure that appropriate supervision for their project is available within the department. The History Department cannot guarantee thesis supervision to all students.

MA World History Core Courses (12 hrs)

Students must obtain at least a B grade in one course from each of the following four categories.

  1. 3 hours - HST 701 Historiography and Historical Methods
  2. 3 hours - World History Primary Source Seminar: HST 792
  3. 3 hours - World History Reading Seminar: HST 740, HST 760, HST 770, HST 775, HST 790
  4. 3 hours - World History Research Seminar: HST 710, HST 750, HST 780​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
World History Requirements (12 hrs)

12 credit hours of World History courses at either the 600 or 700 level. Students may complete additional World History Primary Source Seminars, World History Reading Seminars, and/or World History Research Seminars to meet this requirement. ​​​​Eligible courses: HST 614, 629, 632, 641, 642, 645, 648, 649, 653, 655, 659, 663, 664, 666, 669, 671, 672, 674, 682, 688, 698, 710, 740, 750, 760, 770, 775, 780, 790, 792

Research Requirement (6 hrs)

Non-thesis Option – Students may fulfill the research requirement of the degree by obtaining at least a B grade in one World History Primary Source Seminar, one World History Readings Seminar, and one World History Research Seminar. These courses count towards the fulfillment of requirements 2, 3, and 4 in the Core requirements. In addition, Non-Thesis students must complete 6 hours of elective courses. These may be outside the history department with the approval of the graduate director. Eligible courses: HST 609, 611, 614, 615, 616, 617, 618, 619, 621, 623, 624, 625, 628, 629, 631, 632, 636, 637, 638, 641, 642, 645, 648, 649, 653, 655, 659, 663, 664, 666, 669, 671, 672, 674, 682, 688, 698, 710, 720, 724, 725, 730, 740, 750, 760, 770, 775, 780, 783, 784, 785, 786, 787, 790, 792

Thesis option – Alternatively, students may fulfill the research requirement through the completion and successful defense of a thesis. Thesis students must complete 6 credit hours of HST 799, Thesis, with their thesis supervisor.

U.S. and World Track

US and World History Track

The US and World History track within the Master of Arts in History degree is a 30-hour program that requires the completion of the history core courses and the track requirements.

Students must take at least 15 credit hours at the 700 level. This degree may be completed entirely online, although there may be limited availability of some courses.

Students may take up to 9 credits outside the history department with the permission of the Graduate Director. The history department cannot guarantee online course availability in other departments.

Students do not have to declare whether they intend to complete the Thesis or Non-Thesis option immediately upon entry into the program. However, students who wish to complete the Thesis option must ensure that appropriate supervision for their project is available within the department. The History Department cannot guarantee thesis supervision to all students.

US and World History Core Courses (12 hrs)

Students must obtain at least a B grade in one course from each of the following four categories.

  1. 3 hours - HST 701 Historiography and Historical Methods
  2. 3 hours - Primary Source Seminar: HST 783, HST 784, HST 785, HST 786, HST 787, HST 792
  3. 3 hours - Reading Seminar: HST 720, HST 724, HST 725, HST 740, HST 760, HST 770, HST 775, HST 790
  4. 3 hours - Research Seminar: currently HST 710, HST 730, HST 750, HST 780​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
US History Requirements (6 hrs)

6 credit hours of US History courses at either the 600 or 700 level. Students may complete additional US History Primary Source Seminars, US Reading Seminars, and/or US History Research Seminars to meet this requirement. ​​​​Eligible courses: HST 609, 611, 615, 616, 617, 618, 619, 621, 623, 624, 625, 628, 631, 636, 637, 638, 698, 720, 724, 725, 730, 783, 784, 785, 786, 787

World History Requirements (6 hrs)

6 credit hours of World History courses at either the 600 or 700 level. Students may complete additional World History Primary Source Seminars, World History Reading Seminars, and/or World History Research Seminars to meet this requirement. ​​​​Eligible courses: HST 614, 629, 632, 641, 642, 645, 648, 649, 651, 653, 655, 659, 663, 664, 666, 669, 671, 672, 674, 682, 688, 698, 710, 740, 750, 760, 770, 775, 780, 790, 792

Research Requirement (6 hrs)

Non-thesis Option – Students may fulfill the research requirement of the degree by obtaining at least a B grade in one Primary Source Seminar, one Readings Seminar, and one Research Seminar. These courses count towards the fulfillment of requirements 2, 3, and 4 in the Core requirements. In addition, Non-Thesis students must complete 6 hours of elective courses. These may be outside the history department with the approval of the graduate director. Eligible courses: HST 609, 611, 614, 615, 616, 617, 618, 619, 621, 623, 624, 625, 628, 629, 631, 632, 636, 637, 638, 641, 642, 645, 648, 649, 651, 653, 655, 659, 663, 664, 666, 669, 671, 672, 674, 682, 688, 698, 710, 720, 724, 725, 730, 740, 750, 760, 770, 775, 780, 783, 784, 785, 786, 787, 790, 792

Thesis option – Alternatively, students may fulfill the research requirement through the completion and successful defense of a thesis. Thesis students must complete 6 credit hours of HST 799, Thesis, with their thesis supervisor.

Comprehensive examination

A comprehensive examination must be passed before the degree is granted. For non-thesis students, this will consist of a written examination. For students who complete a thesis, this will consist of both a written examinations and an oral thesis defense.