The MA in History offers students the opportunity to explore the breadth and depth of the Historical Discipline. Students take a total of 12 courses, with all students taking History 421 “The Historical Discipline.” Students may enter the program in Autumn, Winter, or Spring.
The MA in History may also be expanded to include select graduate certificate programs covering particular areas of interest. Students participating in a combined MA/certificate program should consult with their academic advisor to determine what coursework might count toward both programs. A separate application process for the certificate is required. Students who are interested in any of the following combination programs should contact the Graduate Student Services Office for additional information.
- History + Digital Humanities Certificate
- History + Women’s and Gender Studies Certificate
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Degree Requirements | 48 |
| Total hours required | 48 |
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Evaluate the breadth and complexity of the discipline of history.
- Compare and differentiate the range of topics historians explore.
- Apply and interpret the variety of methodologies historians employ.
- Identify, analyze, and evaluate historical arguments effectively.
- Communicate, in writing and orally, complex historical, historiographical, and methodological issues effectively.
Degree Requirements
Course Requirements
The Core
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HST 421 | THE HISTORICAL DISCIPLINE | 4 |
The Graduate Colloquia
All graduate students need to complete 12 courses (48 hours) of graduate work in order to complete the MA. HST 421 is required for all students. For those students who were conditionally admitted, HST 421 is a prerequisite for all 400-level history courses. In addition, students take eleven courses from the list of graduate colloquia. These colloquia share the programmatic emphasis of the curriculum with their emphasis on the historiographical aspects of their respective topic. Note that that every colloquium, when offered, has a subtitle which identifies the specific sub-topic to be addressed that particular quarter. (For example: HST 431: The New Deal. As long as the topics (as reflected in the subtitle) of any colloquium are different, students may take more than one of any of the above courses. In order to ensure that students realize the curricular goals of breadth of exposure to the historical discipline, however, in no case is a student to take more than four colloquia bearing the same number. Thus, at the minimum, students will take courses in at least three different areas (as defined by colloquia titles).
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HST 422 | SEMINAR IN PRIMARY SOURCE ANALYSIS | 4 |
| HST 431 | COLLOQUIUM IN AMERICAN HISTORY | 4 |
| HST 432 | COLLOQUIUM IN LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY | 4 |
| HST 433 | COLLOQUIUM IN AFRICAN HISTORY | 4 |
| HST 434 | COLLOQUIUM IN ASIAN HISTORY | 4 |
| HST 435 | COLLOQUIUM IN EUROPEAN HISTORY | 4 |
| HST 436 | COLLOQUIUM IN ISLAMIC HISTORY | 4 |
| HST 437 | COLLOQUIUM IN WORLD HISTORY | 4 |
| HST 438 | COLLOQUIUM: SPECIAL TOPICS IN HISTORY | 4 |
With the permission of the Graduate Director, students may substitute up to eight quarter hours of Independent Study or Graduate Internship for two colloquia.
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HST 492 | GRADUATE INTERNSHIP | 4 |
| HST 497 | INDEPENDENT STUDY | 4-8 |
In addition, upon consultation with the Graduate Director and with his/her approval, students may count up to eight quarter hours from another DePaul graduate program toward their MA. Such courses would reduce the number of required colloquia by two.
Student Handbook
Probation and Dismissal
A graduate student goes on probation when his/her graduate GPA falls below 3.0. If the GPA goes under 3.0, the student will have one quarter in which to raise it. At the end of this quarter, if the student has failed to bring his/her GPA back up to 3.0, the student may be dismissed and prohibited from registering for additional coursework.
Conduct
Faculty retain the right to define and enforce appropriate etiquette for the promotion of collegiality and civility. Instructors have the right to remove any offender(s) from the classroom. In cases of serious or repeated misconduct, the program director in consultation with the instructor and the chairperson may remove the student(s) from a course and/or the graduate program.
Conditional Admission
In some cases, strong candidates who have not completed the REQUIRED undergraduate credit hours in history and/or students who have not yet demonstrated their strengths in the field may be considered for conditional admission. Students admitted in this category may only take one course (HST 421) during the Autumn quarter. A student who passes HST 421 with a grade of B or above may then continue in the program but must receive grades of B or above in the next two graduate colloquia that he or she attempts. If the student does NOT receive a B or above in EACH of these three classes, he or she must leave the program.
Readmission
If a student is dismissed from the program, he or she may be reapply through the formal application process. All students considering applying for readmission are strongly encouraged to contact the Graduate Director.
Transfer Credit
Upon consultation with the Graduate Director and with his or her approval, students may request that up to 12 units (three courses) of graduate credit earned in other DePaul departments or at other graduate degree-granting institutions be counted toward the MA degree. The Graduate Director will handle such requests on a case-by-case basis. In no circumstances will graduate credit be given for undergraduate coursework or for courses that have been applied toward fulfillment of another degree. Transfer grades from other institutions do not count in the calculation of the DePaul grade point average.
Undergraduate Courses
Undergraduate courses are not applicable toward the degree, but it is sometimes possible (at the discretion of the graduate director) for students to apply foreign language courses toward degree requirements. Students interested in taking foreign language courses that complement their historical studies should contact the graduate instructor prior to enrolling in any foreign language courses.
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate from the program, students must complete all program requirements satisfactorily. Note that the coursework must be completed with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Graduation with Distinction
Distinction is based on two criteria: (1) A record of consistent excellence in graduate coursework, generally interpreted as a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher; and (2) Exemplary work on the final paper produced within the capstone seminar as judged by the course instructor and the department's graduate committee, or (for thesis students), exemplary work on the thesis as judged by the thesis director and the department's graduate committee.
Program Time Limitation
Students in an MA program are expected to complete degree requirements within a six-year period from the first registration date for a course in the program. For students who do not, the department or program director may recommend, on receipt of the student's petition, in writing, an extension of time with or without additional courses, examinations, or other conditions.