History (MA)
Overview
Two options are available to graduate students under the program. Option I requires 30 hours of directed coursework and six hours of thesis preparation. Option II requires 36 hours of directed coursework and a two part comprehensive examination. Students will select from either Option I or Option II.
Related academic areas for the MA in History will include, but are not limited to, political science, English, Spanish, economics, anthropology, computer science and sociology. Students will confirm their choice of a related academic area with the graduate advisor prior to enrolling in outside electives for bot the thesis and non-thesis option.
Option I: Thesis
Students enrolled in Option I will be required to take 24 hours of history coursework, including HIST 6300, and six hours of non-history coursework (anthropology, sociology, computer science, etc.), and six hours of thesis preparation. The thesis will be evaluated using current departmental guidelines.
Option II: Non-Thesis
Students enrolled in Option II will be required to take 30 hours of history coursework, including HIST 6300, and six hours of non-history coursework (anthropology, sociology, computer science, etc.). The student will choose two reading areas in consultation with the graduate advisor and will be expected to take a two part comprehensive examination covering both areas. The questions for the comprehensive examinations will be based on readings determined in consultation with history faculty.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the graduate program in history, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related field.
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours.
- Minimum of 12 hours of upper-division and 9 hours of lower-division History course work.
- Personal statement detailing professional goals and reasons for pursuing the graduate degree.
- Two letters of recommendation from professional or academic sources.
- GRE General Test. GRE test scores are valid for 5 years. A waiver will be granted to applicants who show proof of completing a graduate degree (Master’s or doctoral).
- Writing sample of at least five pages with citations and bibliography
Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.
Program Requirements
Required Course - 3 Hours
Non-Thesis Option:
History Courses - 27 Hours
| HIST 5305 | Readings in U.S. History after 1877 | 3 |
| HIST 5310 | Readings of the History of the West | 3 |
| HIST 5315 | Readings in U.S. History Special Topics | 3 |
| HIST 5320 | Readings in Medieval/Early Modern European History | 3 |
| HIST 5325 | Readings in Modern European History | 3 |
| HIST 5330 | Readings in European History Special Topics | 3 |
| HIST 5340 | Readings in Latin American History | 3 |
| HIST 5345 | Readings in Borderlands History | 3 |
| HIST 5350 | Readings in Texas/Southwest History | 3 |
| HIST 5355 | Readings in Mexican American History | 3 |
| HIST 5360 | Readings in World History | 3 |
| HIST 5370 | Readings in Women's History | 3 |
| HIST 5390 | Readings Special Topics | 3 |
| HIST 5395 | Readings in Research Related Historiography | 3 |
| HIST 6310 | Research Seminar U.S. History after 1877 | 3 |
| HIST 6320 | Research Seminar World History | 3 |
| HIST 6325 | Research Seminar Borderlands History | 3 |
| HIST 6335 | Research Seminar Special Topics | 3 |
| HIST 6340 | Research Seminar in Mexican American History | 3 |
| HIST 6396 | Research Practicum | 3 |
3 hours must be done at the 6000-level.
Prescribed Electives - 6 Hours
Any two courses in the College of Liberal Arts.
Students may take other courses outside of the College of Liberal Arts with approval of Advisor.
Capstone Requirement
Written Comprehensive Exam
Thesis Option
History Courses - 21 Hours
| HIST 5305 | Readings in U.S. History after 1877 | 3 |
| HIST 5310 | Readings of the History of the West | 3 |
| HIST 5315 | Readings in U.S. History Special Topics | 3 |
| HIST 5320 | Readings in Medieval/Early Modern European History | 3 |
| HIST 5325 | Readings in Modern European History | 3 |
| HIST 5330 | Readings in European History Special Topics | 3 |
| HIST 5340 | Readings in Latin American History | 3 |
| HIST 5345 | Readings in Borderlands History | 3 |
| HIST 5350 | Readings in Texas/Southwest History | 3 |
| HIST 5355 | Readings in Mexican American History | 3 |
| HIST 5360 | Readings in World History | 3 |
| HIST 5370 | Readings in Women's History | 3 |
| HIST 5390 | Readings Special Topics | 3 |
| HIST 5395 | Readings in Research Related Historiography | 3 |
| HIST 6310 | Research Seminar U.S. History after 1877 | 3 |
| HIST 6320 | Research Seminar World History | 3 |
| HIST 6325 | Research Seminar Borderlands History | 3 |
| HIST 6335 | Research Seminar Special Topics | 3 |
| HIST 6340 | Research Seminar in Mexican American History | 3 |
| HIST 6396 | Research Practicum | 3 |
3 hours must be done at the 6000-level.
Prescribed Electives - 6 Hours
Any two course in the College of Liberal Arts.
Students may take other courses outside of the College of Liberal Arts with approval of Advisor.
Thesis - 6 Hours
Total Credit Hours: 36