History, MA
Department of History, College of Arts & Sciences
Vision Statement
The mission of the Master of Arts in history program is to develop in students an understanding both of history itself and of history as a profession. In so doing, students will move beyond thinking of history as simply a series of events.
Since the professionalization of history in the late nineteenth century, historians have sought to explain not only what happened but why events unfolded the way they do. In subsequent years, this has led to an increasingly sophisticated volume of materials which deepen our understanding of the past. The process has also led to the formulation, and frequently the subsequent refutation, of models of interpretation.
In order to develop a proper understanding of the past, graduate students in history need to understand not only the events of the past but how historians have interpreted those events. As such the Master of Arts history program is committed to exposing our students to the events of history, the records of history, as well as to those who have sought to explain them. In so doing, our graduate will understand history at a much deeper level than when they entered the program.
Program Contact Information
Martina Saltamacchia, PhD, Graduate Program Chair (GPC)
287L Arts & Sciences Hall (ASH)
402.554.4826
msaltamacchia@unomaha.edu
Program Website
Other Program Related Information
Fast Track
The Department of History has developed a Fast Track program for highly qualified and motivated students providing the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in an accelerated time frame. With Fast Track, students may count up to 9 graduate hours toward the completion of their undergraduate program as well as the graduate degree program.
Program Specifics:
- This program is available for undergraduate students pursuing BA/BS in History desiring to pursue a MA in History.
- Students must have completed no less than 95 undergraduate hours.
- Students must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
- Students must complete the Fast Track Approval form and obtain all signatures and submit to the Office of Graduate Studies prior to first enrollment in a graduate course.
- Students will work with their undergraduate advisor to register for the graduate courses.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduate coursework to remain in good academic standing.
- Students remain undergraduates until they meet all the requirements for the undergraduate degree and are eligible for all rights and privileges granted undergraduate status including financial aid.
- Near the end of the undergraduate program, formal application to the graduate program is required. The application fee will be waived, the applicant will need to contact the Office of Graduate Studies for a fee waiver code.
- Admission to Fast Track does NOT guarantee admission to the graduate program.
- If students obtain a minimum GPA of 3.8 in the graduate courses taken within the Fast Track Program, this will be considered a plus factor for admission to the master’s degree program.
- The admit term must be after the completion term of the undergraduate degree.
- Admission to Fast Track does NOT guarantee admission to the graduate program.
Admissions
General Application Requirements and Admission Criteria
Program-Specific Requirements
Application Deadlines (Spring 2024, Summer 2024, and Fall 2024)
- Fall: June 15 (February 15 for funding consideration)
- Spring: November 15
- Summer: April 15
Other Requirements
- Complete 21 semester hours of undergraduate work in history, including a course on historical research, with a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale).
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English Language Proficiency: Applicants are required to have a command of oral and written English. Those who do not hold a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from the United States, OR a baccalaureate or other advanced degree from a predetermined country on the waiver list, must meet the minimum language proficiency score requirement in order to be considered for admission.
- Internet-based TOEFL: 80, IELTS: 6.5, PTE: 53, Duolingo: 110
- Statement of Purpose: Submit an essay of 250-500 words describing the applicant’s interests in history and why he or she wishes to earn an MA degree in History
- Writing Sample: 10-12 pages in length from an upper-division history (or cognate) course, or an equivalent-length history-related article published in a peer-reviewed publication
- Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation are required.
- Because we seek to determine your potential as a historian, letters of recommendation should be solicited primarily from historians with whom you have worked during your academic career. If you did not major in history and therefore cannot get letters from historians, then the best remaining option is to obtain letters from professors in the field in which you majored.
- The History graduate program committee may choose, in rare cases, to admit provisionally any student who does not meet all of the above requirements, with the understanding that all conditions for unconditional admission must be met before HIST 8010 or HIST 9100 courses may be taken.
- Students who have no undergraduate course in historical research and methodology must successfully complete HIST 8030 with a grade of B or better during one of the first two semesters of their enrollment.
- Interpretation of this requirement rests with the History graduate program committee. Students who believe that they have taken a comparable course may be asked to submit examples of their work, which will enable the graduate program committee to assess their proficiency.
Degree Requirements
Thesis Option (36 hours)
The 36-hour thesis program includes six (6) hours of thesis credit, plus 30 credit hours in graduate coursework. This program is especially recommended for students who wish to continue work toward a PhD, but is open to any student.
Students who intend to write a thesis should bear in mind that this is a substantial undertaking and one that normally takes at least a year of focused research, background reading, writing, and revision to complete, in addition to previous coursework. An MA thesis must present original research and provide evidence of both extensive work in primary sources and engagement with the current scholarship on the subject matter in question. Students should develop some idea of a topic well before they complete their coursework and, in conjunction with the GPC, identify the department member best suited to supervise the thesis. Each faculty member of the department has complete discretion as to whether he or she will work with a particular student and whether the proposed topic is acceptable. Further discussion on thesis topics will be addressed during advising and/or new student orientation.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Complete at least 15 hours from the following distributed between the three courses. Consult your advisor for more information. | 15 | |
| GRADUATE HISTORICAL METHODOLOGY | ||
| SEMINAR IN HISTORY | ||
| COLLOQUIUM | ||
| Select no more than three hours from the following. | 3 | |
| RESEARCH DIRECTED READINGS PROJECT | ||
| GRADUATE INTERNSHIP | ||
| Select the remainder hours from History or other advisor approved courses. | 12 | |
| HIST 8990 | THESIS | 6 |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Students completing an MA with thesis may include no more than three (3) hours total from among HIST 8010 and HIST 8020.
Non-Thesis Option (36 hours)
Thirty-six (36) hours of graduate coursework in history.
The 36-hour non-thesis program consists entirely of coursework. This program is especially recommended for students who wish to pursue work in public history, archiving, secondary-school teaching, park-service work, etc. Students will receive guidance and support regarding future career paths from their comprehensive exam or portfolio committee.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Complete at least 15 hours from the following distributed between the three courses. Consult your advisor for more information. | 15 | |
| GRADUATE HISTORICAL METHODOLOGY | ||
| SEMINAR IN HISTORY | ||
| COLLOQUIUM | ||
| No more than six hours from the following. | 6 | |
| RESEARCH DIRECTED READINGS PROJECT | ||
| GRADUATE INTERNSHIP | ||
| Select the remaining hours of History or other advisor approved courses. | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Students completing an MA without thesis may include no more than six (6) hours total from among HIST 8010 and HIST 8020.
Exit Requirements
Thesis Option
MA Thesis Contract
Any faculty member in the Department of History who agrees to chair a MA thesis committee or who agrees to be a member of an MA thesis committee, may ask the student in question to sign a MA Thesis Contract. The basic model for such a contract will be available to students on the history graduate student Canvas page. The faculty member in question may choose to modify this basic model if they think appropriate.
All candidates should carefully review the Graduate College requirements for forming a supervisory committee, Thesis/Thesis Equivalent Proposal Approval forms and final approval and submission of a thesis.
Non-thesis Option
Students opting for the Non-thesis Option can choose between taking a comprehensive examination or submitting a portfolio.
Comprehensive Examination
Successfully pass comprehensive exams which may only be taken after the candidate has successfully completed all other requirements for the MA. Full details on comprehensive examinations will be provided during advising and/or new student orientation.
Exams will be offered in each semester of the academic year i.e. fall, spring, and summer. Students generally may not take their exams until they have completed all the required coursework for their MA program. Rare exceptions may be considered at the discretion of the GPC.
As comps are not a course, they are graded only as pass/fail – with a B being the minimum grade to pass. The three questions will be graded separately – students must pass all questions in order to earn their MA. Retaking all or part of a comprehensive exam should be scheduled within two semesters (including summer) of the original exam, except in extraordinary circumstances and with the special permission of the graduate committee. Failure of one question will require a rewrite of that question (new or revised to be determined by the committee); failure of two or more questions will require a retake of the entire exam (new or revised, again to be determined by the committee). Retakes will be limited to one attempt. Further details on comprehensive exams will be provided during advising and/or new student orientation.
As is the case with regular courses, students may appeal comprehensive exam grades ONLY IF they believe such grading was “prejudiced or capricious” (see Bylaws of the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. Details here). The process of appeal will follow that provided in the Department of History Grade Appeal outlined here, with the GPC standing as Instructor of Record.
Portfolio
Successfully pass the examination of a portfolio which may only be submitted after the candidate has completed all other requirements for the MA. Full details on the portfolio option will be provided during advising and/or new student orientation.
Examination of the portfolio will be offered in each semester of the academic year i.e., fall, spring, and summer. As the portfolio is not a course, it is graded only as pass/fail with a B being the minimum grade to pass. As is the case with regular courses, students may appeal portfolio grades ONLY IF they believe such grading was "prejudiced or capricious" (see Bylaws of the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. Details here). The process of appeal will follow that provided in the Department of History Grade Appeal outlined here, with the GPC standing as Instructor of Record.
Course Attendance Requirement and Withdrawal Policy
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All Department of History faculty may, at their own discretion, remove from any class any graduate student who misses three or more classes during a single semester.
- The Department of History graduate program committee may remove from the program any student who withdraws from three or more courses.
Academic Progress
- Each candidate must complete his or her MA degree within eight (8) years of starting the program. A candidate who, owing to extenuating circumstances, is unable to meet this requirement may appeal in writing to the Graduate Program Chair (GPC) and/or the Department of History graduate committee for an extension of time. Such extensions will normally be granted only in cases of serious illness or military deployment.
- In addition to conforming to all requirements for academic progress laid down by the Office of Graduate Studies, the Department of History notes the following: pursuant to the section “Automatic Dismissal,” wherein is noted “Departments/Schools may have additional and more stringent criteria for evaluating a student’s performance and may demand a higher level of performance than that demanded by the Graduate College,” please note:
- The Department of History at UNO will automatically dismiss from the program any student who is awarded any grade below B- in two (or more) classes, regardless of whether or not they have complied with other requirements of satisfactory progress.