DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY
Program Links: MA in History, MED in History
Graduate study in History at Sam Houston State University concentrates on the following objectives: to prepare public school and junior college teachers; to train individuals for careers as academic librarians; to upgrade the research and writing skill of such practicing professionals as librarians, clergymen, teachers, and military officers; to provide a background for careers in law, journalism, and strategic intelligence; to prepare students for future graduate study; and to train individuals for careers in the civil service and public history (museum and historical society administration, archival and records management, and historical research and writing for private corporations and government agencies).
Admission Requirements
Students seeking admission to the graduate program in History must meet the following requirements:
1. Submit a Graduate Studies Application for Admission with the application fee to Graduate Studies.
2. Submit official transcripts of all college-level work, including the transcript that shows the date the undergraduate degree was conferred.
3. Submit GRE scores.
4. Submit two letters of recommendation that discuss the applicant’s suitability for graduate study.
5. Submit a writing sample of scholarly work.
A holistic review of each student’s application file will be completed on a competitive basis.
Degree Requirements
Master of Arts, Plan I. This program calls for 30 semester hours in history, including 6 semester hours of credit for the thesis (HIS 698 and 699). Openings for Plan I students are limited, and Chair approval is required.
In the semester of their graduation, Plan I students will conduct a thesis defense before their thesis committee. Additionally, all Plan I students will take comprehensive exams covering three fields agreed to by the student and a three member faculty comprehensive exam committee. The student’s understanding of the three fields is tested by oral and written comprehensive examinations. Students must be enrolled in the University the semester or summer session in which the comprehensive exam is administered.
Master of Arts, Plan II. This degree plan is intended for graduate students who prefer all of their coursework to be in History and who prefer not to write a thesis. The degree calls for 36 semester hours in History. All students on this plan must take HIS 694. These 3 hours are included in the 36 total hours.
In the semester of their graduation, all Plan II students will take comprehensive exams covering three fields agreed to by the student and a three member faculty comprehensive exam committee. The student’s understanding of the three fields is tested by oral and written comprehensive examinations. Students must be enrolled in the University the semester or summer session in which the comprehensive exam is administered.
Master of Arts, Plan III. This degree plan is intended for students seeking preparation in History as the major field and in a logically-related minor field. The degree calls for 24 semester hours in History and 12 semester hours in the minor field. Of the 24 hours in History, 15 must be in a primary history field and 9 in a secondary history field (Early U.S. History, Later U.S. History, Modern European History, World History and Military History) with 3 hours required for HIS 694. These three hours can be counted toward the primary or secondary field hours. The student’s understanding of the primary and secondary fields is tested by oral and written comprehensive examinations, while understanding of the minor field is determined by the particular department in which the minor is taken. Students must be enrolled in the University the semester or summer session in which the comprehensive exam is administered.
Master of Education. This degree plan is intended for teachers of History at the secondary level and is initiated in the College of Education. Interested students should consult the College of Education, Department of Curriculum and Instruction.