Program Overview
The MA in History Handbook provides a detailed overview of the program. You can download the handbook here:
- Entering students take “Methods and Approaches to History (MA)”, which provides an introduction to the program, the department, and the study of history.
- “Approaches” is followed by the “Proseminar,” in which students begin working with a faculty advisor to develop a thesis project.
- The MA requires 32 points of course work (generally 8 courses), of which at least 24 points must be within the History Department. No more than 8 points may be transferred from other graduate schools.
- The “Proseminar” is followed by the “MA Thesis Course,” an independent study, under the direction of a faculty advisor, that comprises the third component of the program’s core sequence.
- All students enrolled full-time are expected to complete their course work after three semesters. Part-time students may stretch the program over a maximum of six semesters.
Course Requirments
| Curriculum Requirements | |
| Approaches to History (MA): HIST-GA 2168 | 4 pt |
| M.A. Proseminar: HIST-GA 2022 | 4 pt |
| History M.A. Thesis Course: HIST-GA 3019 | 4 pt |
| 3 Electives, from History or cross-listed courses | 12 pt |
| 2 Electives, from inside or outside the History Department | 8 pt |
| Total: 32 points |
For a complete list of courses offered in the current semester, please consult Albert or the History Department’s website. In addition to graduate seminars, you will also find the following types of courses in the department:
- “Literature of the Field” courses, designed to provide entry to a broad area of history, through reading and discussion of a number of major issues, problems, and controversies that represent traditional and contemporary approaches to the area as a whole. Although these courses are designed specifically for the needs of doctoral students, MA students may be admitted to them with the instructor’s permission.
- Readings in History and Research in History courses are independent study courses, which are specially arranged between students and instructors. Though students are encouraged to enroll in standing courses whenever possible, in select cases readings courses allow students to pursue their individual areas of interest and research.
MA Thesis
Students must write an M.A. thesis, expanding on the research paper they complete for the M.A. Proseminar course. Each student’s paper from the M.A. Proseminar course will be read by a relevant faculty member who will compose a report, based on the professional model of a “revise and resubmit” peer review. Students will use that feedback as the basis for revising their Proseminar paper into their thesis, which should be an article-length essay suitable for submission for publication or use as a writing sample for further applications. The faculty reviewer will serve as the thesis adviser and students will register for the M.A. Thesis course in the final semester. (4 points).
Thesis Requirements
- Content: The thesis should present the results of original primary-source research in the student’s chosen area of thematic expertise. In the case of research on sources written in languages other than English, the research should be conducted in the original language.
- Scope: The thesis should review the relevant scholarly literature on the topic and present original arguments and analysis based on the primary-source research.
- Length: The thesis should be about 35 pages long, not inclusive of the bibliography; this is approximately 12,000-15,000 words.
- Academic integrity: The thesis should be the student’s own original work. Students are responsible for knowing and following university policies on academic integrity.
- Style: Citations and formatting should closely follow the Chicago Manual of Style.
Thesis Deadlines (Full-Time Students)
- During 2nd semester, generally as part of the Proseminar: choose topic with aid of advisor.
- Start of final semester: select second reader, in consultation with the advisor.
By the last day of classes, you must submit two signed reader sheets to the Graduate Program Administrator. Before that submission, you will have needed to arrange (1) the circulation of your drafted thesis to your advisor and second reader, (2) the oral defense of that thesis with your advisor and second reader. (The required Masters Thesis Reader Sheet, found here, is signed at the defense.) In the past, bearing these requirements in mind, students have aimed to circulate drafted thesis on April/November 15, with a defense on May/December 1. All dates should be discussed and cleared with your advisor and second reader.
Transfer Credit
According to GSAS policy, a student is in residence at GSAS when the student is actively enrolled in a GSAS program. Only points from NYU sponsored courses earned while the student is in residence at GSAS count toward fulfilling the program’s residency requirements (24 points must be earned in residence at GSAS). Therefore, the maximum transfer credit allowed may not exceed the difference between the number of credits required for the degree and the 24 point residency requirement. (E.g., in a 32 point required program, the maximum the student may transfer is 32 – 24 = 8 credits). Students may transfer credit for courses taken at another institution while matriculated at NYU, as long as the DGS gives written approval for the course(s) to be transferred prior to the student’s enrollment in those courses. Please note: When taking classes at another institution with the intent of transferring those credits toward your degree, you must make sure the course is worth four points as not all institutions use the same credit system as NYU.
Additional Information
- Academic Standing: MA students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above in order to remain in the program.
- Academic Advising and Course Registration: Registration for the fall semester begins in mid-April and for the spring semester in mid-November. New students will meet with the MA DGS before registering for classes.
- Continuous Enrollment: All students must maintain continuous enrollment until their degree is conferred. This can be done either through coursework or by registering for maintenance of matriculation (for which you will be charged fees by the university). If you need to request an academic leave of absence, please consult with the MA DGS and Graduate Administrator. GSAS’s policies on academic leaves of absence can be found in the GSAS Policies and Procedures Manual.