History (MA)

Department Website

Program Description

The Master's degree in history offers students graduate work that serves a variety of needs and purposes. A master's degree can be an end in itself, or it may be a preparatory degree en route to the doctorate. The MA can also advance other professional goals, from teacher certification to museum work.   Note that acceptance into the MA program does not constitute admission into the Ph.D. program in History. Students who decide they want to pursue a Ph.D. may later apply for admission to the doctoral program. 

Admissions

All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:

• Academic Transcripts
• Test Scores (if required)
• Applicant Statements
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of Recommendation, and
• A non-refundable application fee.

See History for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.

Program Requirements

The program requires 32 credits of course work, of which at least 24 must be within the Department of History. No more than 8 credits may be transferred from other graduate schools or departments. All students enrolled full-time are expected to complete their course work after three semesters. Part-time students may stretch the program out up to six semesters.

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Major Requirements
HIST-GA 2168	Methods & Approaches to History 1	4
HIST-GA 2022	MA Proseminar: 1	4
HIST-GA 3019	History MA Thesis	4
Electives
History Elective Courses		12
Other Elective Credits		8
Total Credits		32

¹

Provides introduction to the professional study of history.

Additional Program Requirements

Master's Thesis

Students will write a Master's thesis of about 15,000 words. Students select a faculty advisor to direct the thesis, and register for an independent study with the adviser in the final semester.

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid

1st Semester/Term		Credits
HIST-GA 2168	Methods & Approaches to History	4
Elective		4
	Credits	8
2nd Semester/Term
HIST-GA 2022	MA Proseminar:	4
Elective		4
	Credits	8
3rd Semester/Term
HIST-GA 3019	History MA Thesis	4
Elective		4
	Credits	8
4th Semester/Term
Elective		4
Elective		4
	Credits	8
	Total Credits	32

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

1. Discuss and critically assess secondary scholarship on a historical topic.
2. Produce a seminar paper based on original research that critically analyzes existing scholarship, adds new observations based on primary research, and argues a clear and coherent thesis.
3. Engage productively in class discussions concerning historical problems, methodologies, and theories.
4. Respond analytically and critically to ideas and texts, and synthesize relevant materials.
5. Effectively use relevant library resources, research tools, and document sources to identify primary and secondary texts.

Policies

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

Graduate School of Arts and Science Policies

Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page.