University of Minnesota
Department of History
history@umn.edu
612-624-2800


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History Department Degree Requirements

M.A. Degree Requirements

M.A. is offered under Plan A and Plan B.

Plan A: 31 cr. minimum

  • HIST 8015 Scope and Methods of Historical Studies
  • 2 courses (6 cr.) from other departments
  • 10 thesis cr.
  • Reading knowledge in one foreign language

Plan B: 30 cr. minimum
You will substitute 3 expanded seminar papers for the thesis.

  • HIST 8015 Scope and Methods of Historical Studies
  • 2 courses (6 cr.) from other departments
  • 2 courses in history or from other departments
  • Reading knowledge in one foreign language

Ph.D. Degree Requirements

  • 30 cr. in 10 history courses
    • HIST 8015 Scope and Methods of Historical Studies
    • 9 additional courses in history
    • These 9 courses must include 2 in a comparative area
  • 12 cr. in 4 supporting program courses
  • 24 cr. in thesis credits
  • Reading knowledge of 2 foreign languages 
    • Knowledge is required before admission to the preliminary oral examination
    • Some concentration areas may require additional foreign languages.
    • In some cases, competence in quantitative methods may replace one of the foreign languages.

Courses used to satisfy the M.A. requirements can be counted in these totals. After completion of the preliminary oral examinations, the student focuses on writing the Ph.D. thesis. Upon completion of the thesis, a final oral defense is scheduled.

Entering the Ph.D. Program with a M.A.

If you are admitted with a history M.A., it should be possible to complete the coursework and preliminary exams required for the Ph.D. program by the end of the second year of residence or in the first term of the third year.

Minoring in History

M.A. Minor

  • A minimum of two related courses in history (at least 6 credits)
  • A thesis with a historical dimension

Ph.D. Minor

  • A minimum of 4 history courses, HIST 8015, and a written examination or a substantial written project.

A written and oral examination. The oral examination can be incorporated into the student's preliminary oral as long as there is a history department representative on your orals committee.

Graduate Features

Graduate Studies
Rachel Ayers
1130 Heller Hall
271 19th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Phone: 612-624-5840
Email: histdgs@umn.edu

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