History, MA

About the Program

The Department of History (DOH) at Purdue offers a wide range of coursework leading to the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. As Big Ten departments go, the History department is modest in size. As a result, the department offers a great deal of flexibility to students in the program as well as close individual mentoring. The DOH comprises a diverse group of faculty members representing most of the usual subject fields from the fall of Rome through the present day. Like many other American universities in the past twenty years, Purdue has been successful in recruiting some of the best young talent in the profession, and the department remains dedicated to recruiting and retaining a high quality graduate faculty. The history program will offer students interested in pursuing graduate education several strengths: 1) a relatively small program (lots of “face time” with the graduate faculty); 2) exceptionally talented scholars in a wide variety of fields of study; 3) streamlined procedures designed to move students expeditiously toward degree objectives: and 4) plenty of opportunities for hands-on teaching experience.

In recent years the majority of DOH graduate students have been seeking the Ph.D. as their ultimate objective. Students with a B.A. degree may apply for the master’s program (with the option to apply later for doctoral work) or for direct admission into the “fast-track” doctoral program. The stand-alone M.A. generally takes two years to complete. The fast-track doctoral program takes at least five years and includes the award of an M.A. after the successful completion of 30 credit hours. Students with an M.A. in hand usually go directly into the doctoral program and spend about four years completing their degree.

Students are encouraged to select major and minor fields that draw on the expertise of current faculty to shape a plan of study that best fits individual educational and career objectives. Traditional geographical concentrations include Europe since the Middle Ages, the Americas (colonial and modern), Africa, Asia, and parts of the Middle East. Current faculty thematic interests include problems of modernization, economic growth, imperialism, colonization and decolonization, women and gender issues, slavery and race relations, political development and nation building, popular culture, environmental issues, war, peace, and international relations. 

Master’s students can pursue a thesis or non-thesis option. See below for each set of requirements.

Program Website

Program Requirements - Thesis

30 Credits Required

Program Requirements - Non-Thesis

30 Credits Required

Concentrations

Departmental concentrations:

• Human Rights Studies

Interdisciplinary concentrations:

• African American Studies Concentration (GR)  
• Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Concentration (GR)  

GPA Requirements

To be in “good” standing fourth semester candidates must have maintained a 3.0 average in at least 24 hours of coursework and be registered for enough hours to attain 30 by the end of year two. “Good” standing is a requirement for continuation of any graduate staff appointment.

After 2 semesters below GPA of 3.0 or if a student falls below the cumulative minimum credit hours the file must be reviewed by the Graduate Committee, which may find that such student is making “satisfactory” or “unsatisfactory” progress toward the degree and recommend remedial action and/or termination of a graduate staff appointment.

Non-traditional MA students taking courses part-time may be excused from this assessment of progress toward degree.

Additional Information

Course Definitions:

• Reading Survey Seminars: (“Problems in XXX History”) Designed to orient students for teaching undergraduate surveys and introduce historical and historiographical themes, trends, and questions. At least one seminar will be offered each year in early and modern Europe, early and modern America, and some aspect of world or global history.
• Sequence Seminars: (paired reading plus research) One semester of focused reading and historiography followed by a semester of research, yielding an original article. These are to be taken as a linked pair, not separately, and will be taught by the same instructor or by two collaborators sharing the seminar from the start. Content is intended to be expansive, flexible, accessible to non-specialists but more focused than content in Reading Survey Seminars.
• Wild Card Seminars: (reading or research) Offers thematic or specialized content. These are ad hoc courses growing out of student demand or faculty initiative. At least one will be offered each year in some area of history.
• HIST 590s: All HIST 590 registrations must be reviewed in light of the student’s Plan of Study by the Graduate Committee. There are three types:
  • Linked 590: students audit a 300/400-level course, do extra reading, and write reviews or papers as required by faculty.
  • Field Prep 590: students pursue directed readings for field preparations, meeting and writing reviews or papers as required by faculty.
  • Research 590: students wishing to write an original research paper in a field not offered in regular seminars may do so under supervision of a faculty mentor. May be linked with a lecture course. This augments but does not replace the required research seminars.

Graduate Programs Disclaimer

• The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements. Students should consult with their advisor/department for more information.
• Not all graduate programs may be actively recruiting students and course modality availability may vary. 
• Please refer to the Explore Graduate Programs website for a list of currently available graduate programs.
• Transfer credit policy: Credits earned for graduate study at other universities (both domestic and international) may be applied toward an advanced degree. Only credit hours associated with graduate courses for which grades of B- or better were obtained will be eligible for transfer. Any additional conditions under which credit transfers may be made are determined by the various departments.
• Comparative information about Purdue University and other U.S. educational institutions is also available through the College Navigator tool, provided by the National Center for Education Statistics, and through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.