Master's in History and Political Thought

Admissions

1. Complete and submit your application for Graduate Admissions
2. Provide your transcripts
3. Write a personal statement:
   • Typed, minimum 300-word personal statement that briefly describes your career goals, aspirations, and timetable for completion of your proposed graduate studies

Concentrations

Graduate students in the Master of Arts in History and Political Thought program can choose among various concentrations, including a non-thesis track double-concentration in Political Science and History (33 credits), a thesis or non-thesis track concentration in History (30 credits), and a thesis or non-thesis track concentration in Political Science (30 credits).

Students specializing in either History or Political Science still take courses in both of these fields to ensure a truly interdisciplinary experience that broadens intellectual horizons.

• Thesis: 30 Semester Credit Hours
• Non-Thesis: 33 Semester Credit Hours
• Double Concentration: 36 Semester Credit Hours

Thesis and Comprehensive Exams

Graduate students are encouraged by the faculty to pursue a Master’s thesis, which is a product of original scholarly analysis and research. Students writing a thesis work closely with faculty to develop a proposal, pursue their research, and write, revise, and defend their thesis before their committee.

Students who choose the non-thesis track complete comprehensive exams instead of a thesis. Students work closely with their faculty committee to prepare a comprehensive exam portfolio, which has two components: (1) revising and expanding a previously completed seminar paper into a polished work of scholarship, and (2) writing a related comprehensive literature review that situates the paper within the broader field. While the literature review is a separate piece of writing, in practice it often overlaps thematically with the topic of the expanded seminar paper, allowing students to demonstrate both depth and breadth in their area of study.

Students should complete their comprehensive exams concurrently with their coursework and must be registered during the semester in which they submit their comprehensive exam portfolio.