Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Graduate Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Graduate Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: CONTENT MAY NOT BE CURRENT. USE THE DROP DOWN ABOVE TO ACCESS THE CURRENT CATALOG.

Master of Arts - History


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Plan Description


The Department of History offers a Master of Arts degree with specializations in the following areas: United States, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Public History (minor). The program is designed to broaden and deepen the student’s understanding of the heritage of human experience. It also sharpens scholarly skills and provides for some specialization in specific fields or periods of history.

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes, please visit the Degree Directory.

Learning outcomes for specific subplan tracks can be found below:

Plan Admission Requirements


Application deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

Students must meet the following requirements for admission to graduate standing.

  1. All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements. 
  2. An overall undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.00.
  3. A grade point average of at least 3.30 in history courses.
  4. Recommendations from two former instructors addressing the applicant’s preparedness for graduate work in history.
  5. A minimum of 18 credits in history.
  6. Submission of a writing sample, preferably a research paper, representative of undergraduate work.
  7. Submission of a statement of purpose in which the applicant describes historical areas and approaches of particular interest, background and training for advanced work in history, and academic and professional goals.

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Subplan 1 Requirements: United States History Track


Total Credits Required: 35

Course Requirements


Required Courses – Credits: 1


Historiography Courses – Credits: 3


Complete one of the following courses:

HIST 740A - Historiography (United States - Domestic) 

HIST 740E - Historiography (United States - Diplomatic) 

HIST 740F - Historiography (American West) 

HIST 740G - Historiography (United States - Cultural/Intellectual)

Elective Courses – Credits: 6-12


Students completing a thesis must complete 6 credits of History elective coursework, or other advisor-approved courses. Students who choose not to complete a thesis must complete 12 credits of History elective coursework, or other advisor-approved courses.

Minor Field Courses – Credits: 12


In consultation with your advisor select a minor field of study and complete 3 credits of colloquium and 9 credits of electives to total 12 credits.

Asian History

European History

Minor Elective Courses

Complete 9 credits from the following list of courses:

Latin American History

Public History

World History

Minor Elective Courses

Complete 9 credits from the following list of courses:

Thesis – Credits: 6 (Optional)


Degree Requirements


  1. Students must complete a minimum of 35 credit hours of approved course work with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
  2. A minimum of 16 credit hours of course work must be at the 700-level (excluding Thesis).
  3. In addition to the major area of study, the student must complete twelve credits in a minor area.
  4. The student’s advisor and graduate committee must approve all course work plans. A field outside of history may be presented as part of a student’s program. The student is required to have a reading knowledge of a foreign language if that language is necessary to do research in the selected field.
  5. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize an advisory committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.
  6. Students must successfully complete a written examination in their major area of study. This may be taken at the completion of twenty-two credits of course work, and must be taken no later than the completion of twenty-nine credits. Students prepare reading lists of books for each of their two fields within the major area in conjunction with the members of their advisory committee. The lists are based on scholarly works read in coursework, but substantial additional reading is required. Coursework alone does not constitute preparation for comprehensive exams.
  7. No grade below a B- will be accepted for graduate credit, but will be averaged into the student’s grade point average. A minimum GPA of 3.00 must be achieved in all graduate work attempted toward the degree.

Graduation Requirements


  1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
  2. If a thesis is completed, the student must submit and successfully defend his/her thesis by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
  3. If a thesis is completed, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted pdf copy of their thesis to the Graduate College for format check. Once the thesis format has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest. Deadlines for thesis defenses, format check submissions, and the final ProQuest submission can be found here

Subplan 2 Requirements: European History Track


Total Credits Required: 35

Course Requirements


Required Courses – Credits: 1


Historiography Courses – Credits: 3


Complete one of the following courses:

HIST 740B – Historiography (Europe)HIST 740C – Historiography (Modern Asia) 

HIST 740D – Historiography (Modern Latin America) 

HIST 740G - Historiography (United States - Cultural/Intellectual) 

HIST 740H – Historiography (European - Cultural/Intellectual) 

Elective Courses – Credits: 6-12


Students completing a thesis must complete 6 credits of History elective coursework, or other advisor-approved courses. Students who choose not to complete a thesis must complete 12 credits of History elective coursework, or other advisor-approved courses.

Minor Field Courses – Credits: 12


In consultation with your advisor select a minor field of study and complete 3 credits of colloquium and 9 credits of electives to total 12 credits.

Asian History

Latin American History

Public History

U.S. History

Minor Elective Courses

Complete 9 credits from the following list of courses:

World History

Minor Elective Courses

Complete 9 credits from the following list of courses:

Thesis – Credits: 6 (Optional)


Degree Requirements


  1. Students must complete a minimum of 35 credit hours of approved course work with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
  2. A minimum of 16 credit hours of course work must be at the 700-level (excluding Thesis).
  3. In addition to the major area of study, the student must complete twelve credits in a minor area.
  4. The student’s advisor and graduate committee must approve all course work plans. A field outside of history may be presented as part of a student’s program. The student is required to have a reading knowledge of a foreign language if that language is necessary to do research in the selected field.
  5. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize an advisory committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.
  6. Students must successfully complete a written examination in their major area of study. This may be taken at the completion of twenty-two credits of course work, and must be taken no later than the completion of twenty-nine credits. Students prepare reading lists of books for each of their two fields within the major area in conjunction with the members of their advisory committee. The lists are based on scholarly works read in coursework, but substantial additional reading is required. Coursework alone does not constitute preparation for comprehensive exams.
  7. No grade below a B- will be accepted for graduate credit, but will be averaged into the student’s grade point average. A minimum GPA of 3.00 must be achieved in all graduate work attempted toward the degree.

Graduation Requirements


  1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
  2.  If a thesis is completed, the student must submit and successfully defend his/her thesis by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
  3. If a thesis is completed, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted pdf copy of their thesis to the Graduate College for format check. Once the thesis format has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest. Deadlines for thesis defenses, format check submissions, and the final ProQuest submission can be found here

Subplan 3 Requirements: Asian History Track


 Total Credits Required: 35

Course Requirements


Required Courses – Credits: 1


Historiography Courses – Credits: 3


Complete one of the following courses:

HIST 740C – Historiography (Modern Asia) 

HIST 740E - Historiography (United States - Diplomatic) 

Colloquium Courses – Credits: 3


Complete one of the following courses:

Seminar Course – Credits: 4


Complete one of the following courses:

Elective Courses – Credits: 6-12


Students completing a thesis must complete 6 credits of History elective coursework, or other advisor-approved courses. Students who choose not to complete a thesis must complete 12 credits of History elective coursework, or other advisor-approved courses.

Minor Field Courses – Credits: 12


In consultation with your advisor select a minor field of study and complete 3 credits of colloquium and 9 credits of electives to total 12 credits.

European History

European History

Latin American History

Public History

U.S. History

Minor Elective Courses

Complete 9 credits from the following list of courses:

World History

Minor Elective Courses

Complete 9 credits from the following list of courses:

Thesis – Credits: 6 (Optional)


Degree Requirements


  1. Students must complete a minimum of 35 credit hours of approved course work with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
  2. A minimum of 16 credit hours of course work must be at the 700-level (excluding Thesis).
  3. In addition to the major area of study, the student must complete twelve credits in a minor area.
  4. The student’s advisor and graduate committee must approve all course work plans. A field outside of history may be presented as part of a student’s program. The student is required to have a reading knowledge of a foreign language if that language is necessary to do research in the selected field.
  5. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize an advisory committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department’s discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.
  6. Students must successfully complete a written examination in their major area of study. This may be taken at the completion of twenty-two credits of course work, and must be taken no later than the completion of twenty-nine credits. Students prepare reading lists of books for each of their two fields within the major area in conjunction with the members of their advisory committee. The lists are based on scholarly works read in coursework, but substantial additional reading is required. Coursework alone does not constitute preparation for comprehensive exams.
  7. No grade below a B- will be accepted for graduate credit, but will be averaged into the student’s grade point average. A minimum GPA of 3.00 must be achieved in all graduate work attempted toward the degree.

Graduation Requirements


  1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
  2.  If a thesis is completed, the student must submit and successfully defend his/her thesis by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
  3. If a thesis is completed, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted pdf copy of their thesis to the Graduate College for format check. Once the thesis format has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest. Deadlines for thesis defenses, format check submissions, and the final ProQuest submission can be found here

Subplan 4 Requirements: Teaching History Track


Total Credits Required: 35

Course Requirements


Historical Content Required Courses – Credits: 4


Historical Content Elective Courses – Credits: 6


Complete 6 credits of History electives.

Curriculum Materials Elective Courses – Credits: 7


Complete seven credits of advisor-approved Public History courses (at least one of which must be at the 700-level).

Educational Methods Foundations Course – Credits: 3


Complete one of the following courses:

Capstone Course – Credits: 3


Degree Requirements


  1. This program is designed for certified teachers. It is not a certification program.
  2. Students must complete a minimum of 35 credit hours of approved course work with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
  3. A minimum of 16 credit hours of course work must be at the 700-level.
  4. Coursework is divided into three required fields:
    a. Historical Content
    b. Curriculum Materials
    c. Educational Content
  5. The student’s advisor and graduate committee must approve all course work plans. A field outside of history may be presented as part of a student’s program. The student is required to have a reading knowledge of a foreign language if that language is necessary to do research in the selected field.
  6. Matriculants with extensive background in one of the sub-fields may, with the permission of their advisor in the College of Education, take an additional course from one of the two other sub-fields in place of a course in the field of existing expertise. Matriculants with an extensive background in two of the sub-fields may, with permission of the student’s advisor in Education, take 3 credits related to their program of study in another field outside of Education.
  7. Students must successfully complete a written examination in Teacher’s Track: Historical Content. This may be taken at the completion of twenty-five credits, and must be taken no later than the completion of twenty-nine credits. The examination consists of two parts; each part contains two essay questions. Students write on one essay in each part of the exam (total of two essays, two hours for each; four hours total). Questions are written by the student’s committee member/s in the Historical Content field, and each part of the exam is based on a list of books prepared in conjunction with the members of the advisory committee.
  8. Students must successfully complete a written examination in Historical Content. This may be taken at the completion of 25 credits, and must be taken no later than the completion of 35 credits. The examination consists of two parts; each part contains two essay questions. Students write on one essay in each part of the exam (total of two essays, two hours for each; four hours total). Questions are written by the student’s committee member/s in the Historical Content field, and each part of the exam is based on a list of books prepared in conjunction with the members of the advisory committee.
  9. No grade below a B- will be accepted for graduate credit, but will be averaged into the student’s grade point average. A minimum GPA of 3.00 must be achieved in all graduate work attempted toward the degree.

Graduation Requirements


  1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
  2. Successfully complete a Written Final Examination.

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