Program Overview

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History, MA

Overview

The History Department at Stony Brook University offers a Master of Arts in History program that takes an innovative thematic approach to encourage comparative, transnational, interdisciplinary, and theoretically-informed scholarship and teaching. The program is designed to foster a dynamic, collegial learning environment where graduate students receive substantial mentorship.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in History, or equivalent, with minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B) in all undergraduate coursework and History courses.
• 3 Letters of Recommendation for Ph.D. applicants; 2 Letters of Recommendation for M.A. applicants. Letters should address student's potential to succeed in a rigorous course of graduate study.
• All students who are not native or primary speakers of English must demonstrate proficiency in English to be admitted to the Graduate School by submitting scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System(IELTS). Required minimum scores: IELTS overall score of 6.5, with no subsection below 6; TOEFL score of 80 for M.A. and 90 for Ph.D.
• Writing sample (12 pages for M.A.; 20 pages for Ph.D.) that exemplifies the applicant's writing skills and capacity for research, analysis, and creative thought.
• Any additional requirements of the Graduate School.

Degree Requirements

MA Tracks (Academic or Professional)

Our M.A. program offers two separate paths to the degree-Professional Track and Academic Track-that are designed to meet our diverse students' varied needs and goals.

Professional Track

• 3 Field Seminars (9 credits)
• 2 Theme Seminars (6 credits)
• 1 Directed Reading (3 credits)
• Elective Courses: 12 credits (may include an optional 6 credit M.A. Thesis)
• Oral Examination

Total: 30 Credits

Academic Track

• HIS 524 - Core Seminar: History, Theory and Practice (3 credits)
• HIS 525 - Core Seminar: History, Theory and Practice (3 credits)
• 2 Field Seminars: 6 credits
• 2 Theme Seminars: 6 credits
• 1 Directed Reading: 3 credits
• Elective Courses: 9 credits (may include an optional 6 credit M.A. Thesis)
• Oral Examination

Total: 30 Credits

Oral Examination

After completing 24 credits, the M.A. student convenes a two-person Oral Examination Committee, including their Advisor (who focuses on the student's major geo-political field) and one additional faculty member (who focuses on a complementary field, usually based on a theme seminar). At least 2 months in advance, the student compiles a list of books and topics to be included on the exam, which the committee must approve. To prepare for the exam, the student may enroll in an Orals Workshop (or Directed Reading). The student is responsible for scheduling the exam at a mutually convenient time and for submitting all necessary paperwork to the Graduate Program Coordinator. The exam lasts approximately 1 hour and is graded as "pass with distinction," "pass," or "fail." In the event of failure, the student may petition to re-take the exam a second time at a later date.

Master's Thesis (optional)

Students who opt to write an M.A. thesis must enroll in HIS 586 (Thesis Preparation for M.A. Candidates) and/or HIS 584/HIS 585 (Directed Readings for M.A. Candidates), under their Advisor's supervision. An M.A. thesis is expected to range from 40 to 70 pages, as agreed with Advisor, and contain significant original research and analysis. Part of the Oral Examination will be devoted to defense of the thesis.

Language Requirement

Master's students with a concentration in European history must pass a written exam in an appropriate foreign language. Students in Latin American history must pass a written exam in Spanish or Portuguese. Other areas of concentration currently do not require a foreign language for the M.A. degree.

Admission to Ph.D. Program

Students with an M.A. degree, including those conferred by Stony Brook University, who wish to be considered for the Ph.D. Program must submit a formal application to the Graduate School. Admission is not guaranteed.