History M.A.

Program Rationale:
The MA degree in history is offered for students who desire to do further historical study and research beyond the bachelor’s degree. It serves students interested in graduate study of U.S., modern European, and comparative world history. The degree is designed to meet the varied needs and interests of students seeking an advanced degree in history. For secondary teachers, it fulfills Connecticut State Department of Education requirements and may lead to other employment opportunities. Some who earn the MA will use it as a foundation for undertaking doctoral work in history, law, government, international affairs, and other relevant fields. Because the majority of students in the master’s program  were employed full-time during the day, graduate courses are offered in the evening, usually on a one-night-a-week basis. This schedule allows students time to complete regular assignments, carry on research, and make regular progress toward the MA degree.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Students completing the MA will be expected to:

• demonstrate an understanding of historiography and its relevance for the study of history;

• develop historical arguments and present them effectively, orally and in writing;

• produce examples of various types of historical writing, such as book reviews, bibliographic essays, research papers, prospectus, and theses; and

• present original historical arguments using both primary and secondary sources.

Admission Requirements:
To be considered for admission to the M.A. in history applicants must have an undergraduate or cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher, as well as a degree in history or related field. Applicants who do not meet these admissions standards, but who have an undergraduate or cumulative GPA between 2.70 and 2.99, may be considered for conditional admission. In order to be recommended for full acceptance, conditionally admitted students must complete HIST 501 with a B or better. Students who do not meet the undergraduate GPA requirements for admittance or conditional admittance to the graduate program in history may take up to three courses (nine credits) in graduate-level history courses as a non-matriculated student. Those earning a minimum 3.30 GPA for these courses may apply for conditional admittance to the graduate program. Those students must also provide two letters of recommendation from CCSU History Department faculty. Once conditionally admitted, those students who achieve a B+ or above in HIST 501 will be fully admitted into the program.  Prospective graduate students without an undergraduate degree in history, but who meet the GPA requirements for full admission to the graduate program, should meet with the History Department chair or a History Department graduate advisor to determine the requisite courses needed for admission. At minimum, those students will receive a conditional admittance and must complete HIST 501 with a B or better. For consideration, all application materials must be received by the Department of History no later than November 1 for spring admissions and May 1 for fall admissions. Applicants who do not meet the fall admissions deadline may enroll in courses on a non-matriculated basis, subject to course availability.

The admissions application, application fee, and official transcripts from each college and university attended (except Central Connecticut State University) must be submitted to the Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Office. 

In addition, applicants must submit the following materials to the History Department:

• two letters of recommendation (recommendation forms are available at    
  http://www.ccsu.edu/grad/Additional_Material/Hist_rec.html

• a statement of purpose describing the applicant’s academic interests in history, not to exceed 350 words.

Course and Capstone Requirements (30 credits, including a thesis):

Admission criteria: Acceptance into the CCSU Graduate Program and approval of the History Department.

Three 500-level history courses (9 credits)

Three additional history courses (including HIST 501) (9 credits)

HIST 599, Thesis (6 credits)

Electives in related fields (6 credits)

Candidates will be required to demonstrate the ability to translate material in their field in one foreign language, except in those cases where, upon the request of a candidate in U.S. history, a substitute skill or subject is approved by the department. Candidates must make application in the department to take the language examination. Deadlines are October 10, for the fall examination; March 10, for the spring. The fields of concentration available in the M.A. program are U.S. history, European history, and comparative world history. No more than six credits can be taken at the 400 level.
 

HISTORY: POST-BACCALAUREATE TEACHING CERTIFICATION

The Department of History in cooperation with the School of Education and Professional Studies offers courses of study leading to secondary teacher certification in history and in history and social studies. Information about current Connecticut teacher certification requirements may be obtained from the Office of the Dean, School of Education and Professional Studies.