Program Overview

Master of Arts in History and Specialization in Medieval and Renaissance Studies

The Department of History offers the degree of Master of Arts (with or without thesis) in History. Within the limits imposed by the availability of qualified staff, students may pursue their studies in English or in French.

Overview of the Program

At the master's level, students undertake research in diverse areas corresponding to the expertise and interests of faculty members. The program includes a co-op option at the master's level. The Department participates in the collaborative programs in Womens Studies and in Medieval and Renaissance Studies at the master's level, allowing students to specialize in one of these areas.

Collaborative Masters in Medieval and Renaissance Studies

The collaborative masters in Medieval and Renaissance Studies (MDV) has two goals:

• To offer at the graduate level a multi-disciplinary education in Medieval and Renaissance Studies;
• To teach students the theoretical approaches and methods of research specific to the study of the period.

Specialization in Medieval and Renaissance Studies

The specialization in Medieval and Renaissance Studies is intended for students who wish to enrich their training by including an interdisciplinary component in Medieval and Renaissance Studies. Besides a thesis or a major research paper on a topic related to the medieval and Renaissance period, the specific requirements of the collaborative program include two core courses in medieval studies (MDV), one of which will count as a partial requirement in the main discipline.

Admission Requirements

Students must have an honours BA in history (or the equivalent) with a minimum average of 70 per cent (B) before they can be considered for admission. The department may require a written or oral entrance examination.

Collaborative Programs

Entry into the collaborative program requires at least a passive knowledge of French language. Applications to the collaborative program must be submitted at the same time as the application for admission to the master's program in the main discipline. Students wishing to enroll in the Collaborative program in Medieval and Renaissance Studies must first be admitted to the Master's program in one of the participating units. Candidates must hold an Honours Bachelor's degree or equivalent.

Co-op Option

To be admissible to the co-op option, students must commence the Master of History Program in the fall term and be enrolled full time. Applications for the co-op option must be received by the end of the first month of the students enrollment in the MA program. Acceptance into the co-op option is offered on a competitive basis and is managed by the Co-op Office.

Language Requirements

All applicants must be able to understand, speak, and write either English or French proficiently. Applicants whose first language is neither English nor French must provide proof of proficiency in one or the other.

Master's with Thesis

• Compulsory Courses:
  • HIS 5122: Research Seminar (3 units)
  • 6 elective course units in history (HIS) at the graduate level (6 units)
• Language Requirement:
  • HIS 5599: Exigence de langue fran蓷ise en histoire
• Thesis:
  • THM 7999: Master's Thesis 1

Master's with Research Paper

• Compulsory Courses:
  • HIS 5122: Research Seminar (3 units)
  • 12 elective course units in history (HIS) at the graduate level (12 units)
• Language Requirement:
  • HIS 5599: Exigence de langue fran蓷ise en histoire
• Research Paper:
  • MRP 6999: Major Research Paper 1

Collaborative Program in Medieval and Renaissance Studies

Students in the program must complete the requirements of their primary program and those of the collaborative program. The course MDV 5100 (3 units) in Medieval and Renaissance Studies will be counted towards the requirements of the primary program. Consequently, students in the specialization will have only one extra course to take.

• Compulsory Courses:
  • MDV 5100: Medieval and Renaissance Studies Research Methods and Tools (3 units)
  • MDV 5900: Interdisciplinary Research Seminar (3 units)
• Thesis or Major Research Paper:
  • A thesis or major research paper on a topic related to Medieval and Renaissance studies

Duration of Program

Students are expected to complete all requirements within two years. The thesis must be submitted within four years of the date of initial enrollment in the program.

Minimum Standards

The passing grade in all courses is C+. Students who fail two courses (equivalent to 6 units) must withdraw from the program.