Program Requirements

History M.A. 

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the range of theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of history;
2. Demonstrate knowledge of historical events and their larger significance, including global context and/or multicultural sensitivity;
3. Demonstrate and apply knowledge of relevant scholarly historical interpretations;
4. Demonstrate the ability to conduct historiographic and/or original historical research.

Requirements for Admission

A.  For students who have majored in History, the following are required:

1. A Bachelor of Arts degree in History.
2. Completion of a senior thesis/seminar.
3. An overall G.P.A. of 3.0 and a G.P.A. of 3.0 in their history major.
4. A Personal Statement between 300 and 500 words uploaded to the applicant’s Cal State Apply application that explains the applicant’s reason(s) for wanting to enroll in the History M.A. Program at Stanislaus State and how they believe the M.A. Program will support their long-term professional and personal goals.
5. Two professional letters of recommendation emailed directly to the program director. These letters are not required if the student has completed 12 or more units of upper-division History at Stanislaus State.

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:

1. A Bachelor of Arts degree in a field closely related to history.
2. An overall G.P.A. of 3.0 and a G.P.A. of 3.0 in their major.
3. A Personal Statement between 300 and 500 words uploaded to the applicant’s Cal State Apply application that explains the applicant’s reason(s) for wanting to enroll in the History M.A. Program at Stanislaus State and how they believe the M.A. Program will support their long-term professional and personal goals.
4. Two professional letters of recommendation emailed directly to the program director. These letters are not required if the student has completed 12 or more units of upper-division History at Stanislaus State.

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:

1. A Bachelor of Arts degree in a field closely related to history.
2. An overall G.P.A. of 3.0 and a G.P.A. of 3.0 in their major.
3. A Personal Statement between 300 and 500 words uploaded to the applicant’s Cal State Apply application that explains the applicant’s reason(s) for wanting to enroll in the History M.A. Program at Stanislaus State and how they believe the M.A. Program will support their long-term professional and personal goals.
4. 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.

E.  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:

1. 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.
2. 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.

Timeline to Degree

1. Upon admittance, students will be assigned an adviser, usually the M.A. Program Director.
2. Unless admitted under Conditional Classified status, students begin with Classified status.
3. In the second semester of the program (or before completing 16 units), students consult with their advisor about selecting a culminating experience and preparing for it.
4. In the third semester of the program (or before completing 24 units), students select a culminating experience and arrange a culminating experience committee and chair in consultation with their advisor.
5. Upon completing all requirements for the M.A., the student achieves “Candidacy” status and is eligible for graduation.
6. The maximum period for completion of the M.A., including coursework taken under Conditional Classified status that is counted toward the degree, is seven years.

Degree Requirements

1. 30 units are required, of which 24 units are to be taken in courses offered by Stanislaus State. 
2. A minimum of 21 of the 30 units must be at the 5000 level. These may be Graduate Studies, Individual Study, Internship, and Project or Thesis units. The remaining units may be at the 4000 level or the 5000 level. Units taken at the 4000 level include additional coursework required for graduate credit.
3. No coursework graded below B- or “Credit/No Credit” courses may fulfill any M.A. requirement, with the exception of project/thesis units, which are always “Credit/No Credit” units. If a student earns less than a G.P.A. of 3.0, or a “B” average, in any single semester, they will be placed on Academic Probation, per university catalog requirements. Failure to raise the G.P.A. to 3.0 or above within two semesters makes the student subject to Academic Disqualification and dismissal from the program. An appeal of Academic Disqualification is possible.
4. A culminating experience consisting of a Project or Thesis, including an oral defense, is required of all M.A. students. In the culminating experience, the student must demonstrate mastery of the Program Learning Outcomes, knowledge of the subject matter and its historiography, and research, analytic, and communication abilities.
5. Adherence to the departmental Statement of Professional Ethics is mandatory. Students who depart from this standard will be subject to Administrative Probation or Administrative Disqualification and dismissal from the program, per university catalog guidelines. An appeal of Administrative Disqualification is possible.