If you are interested in the History M.A. program at Stanislaus State and would like more information, contact the Program Director, Paul Strauss, at pstrauss@csustan.edu. Please also view the “Current Students” page for opportunities and studies for our students.
Applying
New students are admitted to the M.A. program for both the fall and spring semesters. Applicants must apply through Cal State Apply.
- The deadline to apply for Fall semester admission is June 30.
- The deadline to apply for Spring semester admission is October 31.
A complete application must include a Personal Statement. This Statement must briefly explain your reasons for wanting to undertake the M.A. degree, how it will support your long-term personal and professional goals, and why you want to complete the program at Stanislaus State. You may upload this Personal Statement into Cal State Apply or email it directly to the Program Director.
Applicants who did not complete 12 or more units of upper-division History coursework at Stanislaus State should arrange to have two letters of recommendation emailed directly by their references to the Program Director.
Once applications have been received and reviewed, you will receive a formal decision letter by email from the Program Director. After you receive a formal decision letter, you will receive instructions from the Graduate School for setting up your student portal and enrolling in courses. During this time, newly admitted students should make an appointment to meet with the Program Director to discuss program requirements and course selection.
Prerequisites for Admission
A. For students who have majored in History, the following are required:
- A Bachelor of Arts degree in History.
- Completion of a senior thesis/seminar.
- An overall G.P.A. of 3.0 and a G.P.A. of 3.0 in their history major.
- A Personal Statement between 300 and 500 words.
- Two professional letters of recommendation emailed directly to the program director (if necessary).
Students who meet these requirements and are granted admission to the program after review by the History Graduate Committee will be admitted under Classified Status.
B. Students who have not majored in History, but who have completed a minimum of four upper-division history courses, including a senior thesis/seminar course, with a G.P.A. of 3.0 in those courses, may also be considered for admission under Classified status if they meet the following requirements:
- A Bachelor of Arts degree in a field closely related to history.
- An overall G.P.A. of 3.0 and a G.P.A. of 3.0 in their major.
- A Personal Statement between 300 and 500 words.
- Two professional letters of recommendation emailed directly to the program director (if necessary).
C. Students who have not majored in History, or who have not completed a minimum of four upper-division history courses, including a senior thesis/seminar course, with a G.P.A. of 3.0 in those courses, may be considered for admission under Conditional Classified Status in the program at the discretion of the History Graduate Committee if they meet the following requirements:
- A Bachelor of Arts degree in a field closely related to history.
- An overall G.P.A. of 3.0 and a G.P.A. of 3.0 in their major.
- A Personal Statement between 300 and 500 words.
- Two professional letters of recommendation emailed directly to the program director.
D. Students who otherwise meet the requirements for admission but have an overall G.P.A. and/or a G.P.A. in their major of less than 3.0 but at least 2.9 may be considered for admission under Conditional Classified Status.
Students who are admitted under Conditional Classified Status must meet one or both of the following requirements, as specified by the Graduate Committee upon admission, within one year before they can be advanced to Classified Status:
- If they have not completed four upper-division History classes, complete two 4000-level history courses at Stanislaus State, including the extra work required of graduate students in these courses, with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher or at least a B average. Students will receive graduate credit for these courses if they are advanced to Classified Status.
- If they have not completed a senior thesis/seminar course, complete HIST 4960 Senior Seminar with a grade of B or higher. No extra work for graduate students is required in this course. HIST 4960 may count toward the two 4000-level courses mentioned above but the units will not count toward the M.A. degree.
Funding Opportunities
Student Engagement in Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (SERSCA): The mission of the SERSCA Program is to provide California State University, Stanislaus students with resources and opportunities that may not otherwise be possible to engage in a comprehensive, multi-faceted, co-curricular experience led by faculty mentors. The SERSCA Program is available to both undergraduate and graduate students across all disciplines university-wide. Through Assistantships, Mini-Grants, the Student Research Competition, and Travel Grants, the SERSCA Program provides student support for engagement in research, scholarship, and creative activity (RSCA) from idea conception through dissemination. It is not required to participate in one aspect of the SERSCA Program to be eligible for other aspects, but the program is designed so that potentially a student could be guided by a faculty mentor and supported by the SERSCA Program through all stages of an RSCA project.
Selected students can serve as paid graduate assistants in a classroom to increase their professional preparation in the classroom and enhance their appeal for a future teaching position. (funding dependent)
Selected graduate students can serve as paid research assistants (via a competitive university-wide application process), working closely with faculty members on scholarly projects as a means of enhancing the students’ skills in advanced research. (funding dependent)
The Graduate Equity Fellowship provides funding for economically disadvantaged CSU students and promotes mentoring and research opportunities.
Updated: February 11, 2026