2011-2012 Catalog

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SOCIAL SCIENCES

Master of Arts Degree in History

The Master of Arts (MA) in History is offered through the Department of Social Sciences. Two tracks are available to students: 1) thesis, and 2) non-thesis. This degree is designed to expand and enrich a student's knowledge of history and to develop research, writing, and analytical abilities in United States, European, and world history. This degree will help to prepare students who wish to pursue further graduate study for a PhD degree or to improve their teaching abilities.

To gain full admission to the MA program, students must first meet the general requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies and hold an under-graduate degree with a history major or 24 hours in history. Those students who lack the necessary undergraduate preparation will be required to complete up to 24 hours of appropriate leveling work. The department head in consultation with the graduate history advisor will review the student's transcript to determine the nature and amount of leveling work and will assist the student in establishing a graduate advisory committee. The graduate history advisor will also assist the student in selecting either the thesis or non-thesis track. Students must have the approval of the department head to change tracks once they have completed 24 hours of course work.

Master of Arts Degree in History - Thesis Track

The MA in History (thesis track) requires 36 hours of approved course work, including HIST 598 (Historiography and Historical Method), one research course (HIST 520, 532, or 542), and 6 hours of HIST 588 (Thesis). In consultation with the graduate history advisor and the student's thesis advisor, a student may take 12 hours in an appropriate supporting field. The student must take course work in United States and non-United States history.

Each thesis track student in history must demonstrate proficiency in at least one foreign language prior to the awarding of the MA Degree. Proficiency will be measured either by the successful completion (with a C or better) of 14 hours in a single foreign language (either on the undergraduate or graduate level) or by obtaining a passing score on a standardized foreign language exam.

Each thesis track student will take a written comprehensive examination after completing 24 hours of course work and before registering for HIST 588 (Thesis). The examination, based on course work submitted for the MA degree, will be constructed, administered, and evaluated by the student's graduate advisory committee. If the examination result is unsatisfactory, the student will be allowed to retake the comprehensive examination one additional time. Additional course work in areas of weakness may be required.

Each thesis track student will complete a thesis under the direction of a thesis advisor, who will chair the student's graduate advisory committee. The student will not begin work on the thesis prior to completion of 24 hours of course work and will enroll in Thesis (HIST 588) only with prior approval of the department head and graduate history advisor. The thesis will be prepared in accordance with the general procedures specified by the College of Graduate Studies. Upon completion of the thesis, the student will sit for an oral defense before a committee composed of her/his graduate advisory committee and a representative from the Graduate College. Under special circumstances, the thesis advisor, in consultation with the graduate history advisor and the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, may modify this requirement.

Master of Arts Degree in History. - Non-Thesis Track

The MA degree in History (non-thesis track) requires a minimum of 36 hours of approved course work, including HIST 598 (Historiography and Historical Method) and one research course (HIST 520, 532, or 542). In consultation with the graduate history advisor, a student may take 12 hours in an appropriate supporting field. The student must take course work in United States and non-United States history.

Students seeking history related careers other than teaching may choose the Public History Option. The student choosing this option will take 18 hours of content area history courses and 18 hours of public history courses, including 6 hours of internship at selected public history venues. Ordinarily the student choosing the Public History Option will not write a thesis. The required courses for the Public History Option are: HIST 507, 508, 509, 510, and two semesters of HIST 599 (internship).

Each non-thesis track student in history must demonstrate proficiency in at least one foreign language prior to the awarding of the MA Degree. Proficiency will be measured either by the successful completion (with a C or better) of 14 hours in a single foreign language (either on the undergraduate or graduate level) or by obtaining a passing score on a standardized foreign language exam.

A written comprehensive examination will be administered after the student has completed course work, or during the semester of anticipated graduation. The examination, based on course work submitted for the MA degree plan, will be constructed, administered, and evaluated by the student's graduate advisory committee. If the result of the examination is unsatisfactory, the student will be allowed to retake the comprehensive examination one additional time. Additional course work in areas of weakness may be required.

Master of Art Degree in Political Science

The Master of Arts (MA) in Political Science is offered through the Department of Social Sciences. Two tracks are available for students: thesis and non-thesis. This degree strongly emphasizes research and analysis in political science, administrative theory, and governmental institutions as preparation for those students planning additional graduate study at the doctoral level.

To gain full admission to the MA program, students must first meet the general requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies and hold an undergraduate degree in political science (government). Those who lack the necessary undergraduate preparation will be required to complete appropriate leveling work. The department head in consultation with the graduate political science advisor will review the student's transcript to determine the nature and amount of leveling work and will assist students in establishing a graduate advisory committee.

Master of Arts Degree in Political Science - Thesis Track

The MA in Political Science requires 36 hours of approved course work. Each student may choose up to 12 hours in appropriate supporting work, which, if in a single specific field, may be declared a minor. Flexibility according to student need and interest will be permitted in the selection of specific course work.

Each thesis track student must demonstrate proficiency in at least one foreign language prior to the awarding of the MA degree. Proficiency will be measured either by the successful completion (with a C or better) of 14 hours in a single foreign language (either as an undergraduate or graduate student) or by obtaining a passing score on a standardized foreign language exam.

Each thesis track student will take a written comprehensive examination after completing 24 hours of course work and before registering for POLS 588 (Thesis). The examination, based on course work submitted for the MA degree plan, will be constructed, administered, and evaluated by the student’s graduate advisory committee. If the examination result is unsatisfactory, the student will be allowed to retake the comprehensive examination one additional time. Additional course work in areas of weakness may be required.

Each thesis track student will complete a thesis under the direction of a thesis advisor, who will chair the student’s graduate advisory committee. The student will not begin work on the thesis prior to completion of 24 hours of course work and will enroll in Thesis (POLS 588) only with prior approval of the department head and graduate political science advisor. The thesis will be prepared in accordance with the general procedures specified by the College of Graduate Studies. Upon completion of the thesis, the student will sit for an oral defense before a committee composed of his/her graduate advisory committee and a representative for the Graduate College. Under special circumstances, the thesis advisor, in consultation with the graduate political science advisor and the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, may modify these requirements.

Master of Arts Degree in Political Science - Non-Thesis

The Master of Arts Degree (non-thesis track) requires a minimum of 36 hours of approved course work. In consultation with the graduate political science advisor, a student may take 12 hours in an appropriate supporting field.

Each non-thesis track student will demonstrate proficiency in at least one foreign language prior to the awarding of the MA degree. Proficiency will be measured either by the successful completion (with a C or better) of 14 hours in a single foreign language (either as an undergraduate or graduate student) or by obtaining a passing score on a standardized foreign language exam.