Graduate Program

The Master of Arts in History at FAU

Director of Graduate Programs : Dr. Adrian Finucane 

The MA program in History is designed to prepare graduates for doctoral work in history; for museum and public history work; for employment in education, government, or industry; for admission to law school; to qualify instructors in history for community college teaching; and to enhance historical skills and content for secondary school social studies teachers.

The program features concentrations in European, U.S., and World History, all of which are particular strengths in our department. Students also have the opportunity to conduct research in FAU Library's Weiner Spirit of America Collection, one of the nation's best collections of primary sources in the areas of American and Atlantic World history from the fifteenth century to the modern era. There are also opportunities to pursue study in Public History and to participate in our internship program. In addition, students have the opportunity to work with their professors on a Directed Independent Study.

We have both thesis and non-thesis options, and offer financial aid through a number of Graduate Teaching Assistantships and Provost Fellowships that are available to our most outstanding applicants. Qualified MA students are eligible for several graduate awards, and membership in the History Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta.

Admission Requirements

  1. Each applicant should have a BA degree in History from an accredited institution. Applicants who did not major in history may be required to complete successfully additional appropriate undergraduate coursework in history before being admitted to the graduate program.

  2. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA) for the last 60 credit hours attempted.

Deadlines

Domestic students: Applications for Fall admission are due by June 1, and for the Spring by October 15. For students seeking Teaching Assistantships, the application deadline for Fall admission is February 15, and the Spring deadline is September 15.

International students: February 15 is the deadline for Fall semester, and July 15 is the deadline for Spring semester.

Application Process

Candidates must submit the following:

  1. An online application form
  2. Application fee. There is a nonrefundable application fee of $30.00. With the exception of McNair, McKnight and Fulbright Scholars, all applicants, including former FAU students, are required to pay the application fee.
  3. Writing sample. A term paper or a lengthy essay. You will be prompted to upload this document as part of the online application.
  4. Autobiographical statement. A 2-3 page statement, explaining the reasons you wish to pursue the MA degree. You will be prompted to upload this document as part of the online application.
  5. Two letters of recommendation. As part of the online application form, you will be asked to provide the names and contact information of at least two recommenders, preferably your history professors. These references will then be contacted directly by FAU.
  6. Official transcripts. Official transcripts from the Registrar of each college or university you have attended are to be sent directly to the Graduate College, Florida Atlantic University, SU-80, Room 101, 777 Glades Rd., Boca Raton, FL 33431.
    • All students who have attended a college/university outside the U.S. must have a professional transcript evaluation by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) Transcript evaluations should be sent directly to the Graduate College.

General Requirements

  1. HIS 5060 - The Historical Experience: all students must complete this course in their first semester if they enter in the fall, and in their second semester if they enter in the spring.
  2. Foreign Language: all students must demonstrate competency in at least one foreign language . It is the student's responsibility to fulfill this requirement. Students in the thesis track may not apply for admission to candidacy until they have fulfilled this requirement.
    To fulfill the language requirement, History MA candidates must complete one of the following the three options:
    1. Passing one semester at the intermediate level (2220) of a foreign language at FAU or the equivalent at another university as determined by the History Department's Graduate Committee.
    2. Passing an equivalency exam at the 2220 level.
    3. Passing the graduate Reading for Research course (French 5060, Spanish 5060, or German 5060).
  3. Coursework: All courses must be taken at the 5000 or 6000 level in readings and research seminars in major and minor areas of interest ; graduate students may not take undergraduate courses for graduate credit
  4. Completion of Plan of Study Form: All students in the M.A. program in history must file with the Graduate College a Plan of Study upon completion of 9 credits of qualified course work. This form is completed by the student in consultation with the graduate director. The forms for completion can be accessed through the Graduate College website ( failure to file these forms as required will prevent the student from graduating ).
  5. Advisement: Students should meet at least once a semester with the Director of Graduate Studies in order to plan their program of study and to ensure that all requirements for the M.A. in History degree program are being met.

The Master of Arts in History has both a thesis track and a non-thesis track.

All graduate students are admitted on the non-thesis track. Following completion of 9 hours of graduate study, those students wishing to pursue the thesis track must petition the Director of Graduate Studies. Once students are granted thesis track status, they must work in conjunction with the director to create a thesis committee.

  1. The thesis track requires 30 credit hours, with a minimum of 24 hours of graduate course work in readings and research seminars, and the completion of a M.A. thesis, for which a minimum of 6 additional credits must be earned.
  2. The non-thesis track requires a total of 36 credit hours of graduate course work. Students must also pass a comprehensive examination during the final term of study.

 

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