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
- 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.
- 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
- Junior standing, with an overall GPA of 3.25.
- 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.
- 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.
- 3 hours - HST 701 Historiography and Historical Methods
- 3 hours - US History Primary Source Seminar: HST 783, HST 784, HST 785, HST 786, HST 787
- 3 hours - US History Reading Seminar: HST 720, HST 724, HST 725
- 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.
- 3 hours - HST 701 Historiography and Historical Methods
- 3 hours - World History Primary Source Seminar: HST 792
- 3 hours - World History Reading Seminar: HST 740, HST 760, HST 770, HST 775, HST 790
- 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.
- 3 hours - HST 701 Historiography and Historical Methods
- 3 hours - Primary Source Seminar: HST 783, HST 784, HST 785, HST 786, HST 787, HST 792
- 3 hours - Reading Seminar: HST 720, HST 724, HST 725, HST 740, HST 760, HST 770, HST 775, HST 790
- 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.