{"id":10169,"date":"2024-03-15T15:37:46","date_gmt":"2024-03-15T19:37:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/149.4.100.129\/academics\/prod1\/?page_id=10169"},"modified":"2025-10-21T11:03:24","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T15:03:24","slug":"ma-degree","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.qc.cuny.edu\/academics\/history\/ma-degree\/","title":{"rendered":"MA Degree"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Master’s Degree in History<\/h1>\n

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Master\u2019s-level study allows students to engage in deeper investigation of a range of historical topics. Through coursework and research projects, students acquire next-level skills in writing, oral presentation, and analysis of texts of many kinds. MA-level work is also distinguished by its emphasis on historiography, the changing ways in which history has been researched, debated, and interpreted over time and across different schools of thought. MA students in History work in consultation with the departmental Director of Graduate Studies (DGS)<\/a> to plan a course of study that meets their professional and intellectual needs. MLSMA students complete History MA courses as well as coursework through the School of Information Studies in library science, museum management, historical preservation, and the like (please refer to our information page on the MLSMA<\/a>). Internship opportunities may also be available.<\/p>\n

Students in our programs have gone on to success in the fields of archival work (both public and private sector), education, the law, museums, librarianship, public service and the creative arts, among other fields.<\/p>\n

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REQUIREMENTS FOR MATRICULATION<\/h2>\n

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These requirements are in addition to the college\u2019s general requirements for admission.<\/p>\n

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  1. The applicant must be approved by the department\u2019s MA Admissions Committee. Approval is based on satisfactory completion of sufficient work in History or related fields to pursue graduate work in History.<\/li>\n
  2. An applicant whose undergraduate preparation is considered inadequate by the admissions committee may be admitted as a nonmatriculated<\/em> student. Nonmatriculated students may take up to 4 courses and must earn a minimum 3.0 GPA \u2013 those who make sufficient progress may then apply for full matriculation. Graduate courses taken for this purpose may be counted toward the MA degree, provided they are approved by the director of graduate studies. Any undergraduate courses taken to make up for inadequate preparation cannot be counted toward the MA degree.<\/li>\n
  3. Applicants whose first language is not English and who were educated in a country where English is not the official language must submit proof of having achieved a score of 575 or better on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION SHOULD BE SUBMITTED VIA THE\u00a0GRADUATE ADMISSIONS OFFICE<\/a>. YOUR APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE A COPY OF ALL ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS,\u00a03 LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (AT LEAST 2 OF WHICH SHOULD BE FROM TEACHERS WHO CAN COMMENT ON YOUR PERFORMANCE IN THEIR CLASSES), AND A PERSONAL STATEMENT NOT TO EXCEED 750 WORDS.<\/h4>\n

    The personal statement allows the MA Admissions Committee to learn about you beyond what can be gleaned from your academic transcripts. Use this opportunity to discuss your academic background; why you would like to be part of the MA program in History; your past experience researching subjects in History, such as research papers you completed as an undergraduate; professors you would like work with at Queens College; aspects of history you wish to study; and any other information you deem relevant. We only review applications once they are complete.\u00a0Make sure to follow up with your recommenders to ensure they have submitted their online letters of recommendation for you.<\/p>\n

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    RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL TRACKS<\/h2>\n

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    The MA in History can be completed by either of two tracks: the Research Track or the Professional Track. You do not have to decide right away which track to pursue: confer with the\u00a0<\/span>Director of Graduate Studies<\/a>\u00a0during your first semester to map out your path through the program.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The\u00a0Research Track<\/strong>\u00a0is designed for students interested in eventually pursuing a PhD, working as a professional historian, or simply developing their research and writing skills during a rigorous process of independent research and writing after their coursework is completed.<\/p>\n

    The\u00a0Professional Track<\/strong>\u00a0is designed for those interested in history beyond the undergraduate level but do not have the time or inclination to conduct the research and multiple revisions required for an MA thesis. The Professional Track is ideal for students who view the MA as their terminal degree in the field; it is especially useful for teachers at the secondary or elementary level.<\/p>\n

    All MA students must take HIST 791<\/strong>\u00a0during their first year in the program, normally in the Fall.\u00a0This introduction to historical research methods gives students experience doing in-depth work on a possible thesis topic and the opportunity to consider whether the Research Track is the best option for their needs.<\/p>\n

    All MA students (research and professional track)\u00a0are required to pass a first comprehensive exam by the end of 18 credits\/6 courses.\u00a0<\/strong>Professional track students must also take a second comprehensive exam, to be given near or at the end of 36 credits. (MLS\/MA students are exempt from both exams.) Comprehensive exams are given in the context of a specific course, usually administered during the scheduled final exam period and proctored by the professor teaching the course.\u00a0You are tested on a \u201cfield\u201d that covers a specific area in history (e.g. Nazi Germany, women in 20th<\/sup> century United States), builds on the course syllabus, and reflects additional reading.\u00a0The instructor works with you to create a list of 4-7 additional readings (academic monographs and articles) and advises you on how to prepare. Course instructors have discretion to set exam time limits (two hours or less); give closed or open-book exams; and make other accommodations regarding the administration of the exam. Only full-time members of the History Department administer these exams.\u00a0No comprehensive exams may be taken during a summer course. Students must declare their intention to use a course as a \u201ccomprehensive exam course\u201d by the fourth week of the term.<\/em>\u00a0Students have one chance to re-take a failed exam<\/strong>.\u00a0Students may not resolve a failed exam by electing a new comprehensive exam course.<\/p>\n

    Outside courses<\/strong>: A student may take usually no more than three courses of one semester each <\/em>outside the History Department (e.g. in another department or at another CUNY campus) and only with the formal consent of the Director of Graduate Studies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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    REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL TRACK<\/h2>\n

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    1. Thirty-six credits of coursework<\/strong>, which must include HIST 791 (3 cr.).<\/li>\n
    2. Two comprehensive exams<\/strong>. Students must pass two comprehensive exams in two different subject areas, determined in consultation with the DGS and relevant faculty members. Professional Track students take their first exam at or near 18 credits; the second is taken at or near 36 credits. See above for description.<\/li>\n
    3. A Capstone Portfolio<\/strong> of 3-4 papers totaling at least 40 pages, accompanied by 1\u20132-page cover letter explaining what you were trying to accomplish in each essay and, most importantly, what you have learned as a master\u2019s student.\u00a0Include at least one historiographical paper and at least one paper in which you analyze primary sources.\u00a0If possible, the essays should include professors\u2019 comments.\u00a0An oral presentation delivered in a departmental context, conference paper, or other academic work may also be considered for the Portfolio with approval from the\u00a0DGS<\/a>. Submit your Capstone Portfolio as a PDF email\u00a0attachment to the DGS or provide a hard copy. (There is no need for binding or special folders).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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      REQUIREMENTS FOR THE RESEARCH TRACK<\/h2>\n

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      APPLICATION<\/h3>\n

      MA students are required to apply for the Research Track. After completion of 24 credits, students interested in writing an MA thesis should apply to the\u00a0Director of Graduate Studies (DGS)<\/a>. The application consists of a 1\u20132-page statement describing the proposed research topic, accompanied by an email from the full-time faculty member who has agreed to serve as History Advisor.\u00a0[When contacting a professor to request advisement, write a formal email in which you provide a brief outline of your preliminary research ideas, and request a meeting. Be prepared to take suggestions on possible primary and secondary sources over the course of multiple discussions\u00a0before<\/em>\u00a0the professor agrees to supervise your project.] After a History Advisor has approved your idea, the student should email their proposal, including a working bibliography of primary and secondary sources, to the DGS. Specify \u201cResearch Track Application\u201d in the subject line, along with student\u2019s full name. The MA Committee reviews applications; academic performance in MA coursework will also be considered. If accepted, the student will then register for HIST 796 at or near the end of their MA coursework \u2013 only students admitted to the Research Track may take HIST 796<\/em>. Email your application to the DGS by Nov. 1 to enroll in HIST 796 for the spring, or May 1 for the fall.<\/p>\n

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      REQUIREMENTS FOR RESEARCH TRACK STUDENTS MATRICULATING FALL 2018 OR LATER<\/h3>\n
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      1. A minimum of thirty-four credits of coursework<\/strong>, which must include HIST 791 (3 cr.), 8 electives (24 cr.), HIST 796 (3 cr.), and HIST 798.3 (3 cr.) taken concurrently with HIST 796 to prepare students for the thesis. After completing coursework, research track students must register for HIST 794 (1 cr.) during each semester in which they are working on their MA thesis and regularly meet with their thesis advisor (this maintains student access to library resources and encourages steady progress on finishing the thesis).<\/span><\/li>\n
      2. One Comprehensive Exam.<\/strong>At or near 18 credits, all students must pass one comprehensive exam, regardless of the student\u2019s intention to pursue the Research Track.<\/li>\n
      3. An approved prospectus\u00a0<\/strong>for the master\u2019s thesis. A prospectus is a detailed research plan for the thesis, typically around 15 pages; students compose the prospectus when they take HIST 796. A model prospectus can be found here<\/a>. The prospectus must:\n