M.A. History Graduates will develop skills in research, critical analysis, writing, and oral communication, as well as command of the historiography of studied fields, essential for the practice of history, both as professional historians and knowledgeable citizens.
Objective
Research And Analysis
M. A. History students will demonstrate competence in applying research methodologies; qualitative and quantitative analysis; literature review; and use of traditional and digital resources. The History Department will prepare its graduates to publish in their respective fields.
Indicator
Degree Requirements
All M.A. History graduates shall successfully complete a Masters?????? Thesis or a major research paper for the required research seminar, and shall successfully pass written and oral exams in three field areas. This will be assessed by a survey of written examinations and oral examination reports.
Criterion
Research Project
All M.A. History students will achieve Good or Better ratings by a panel of history faculty on Master''''s Theses or research papers based upon primary historical sources.
Finding
Degree Requirements
During 2006-07, all MA graduates in History completed a research project judged by graduate faculty to be of good or better quality. All MA graduates also were orally examined in three field areas by panels of graduate faculty, and deemed by these panels to have a good or better understanding of the history and historiography of each field area.
A sample of a writing project judged to be of acceptable quality has been attached below.
Indicator
Student Presentations
Graduate students will present scholarly research in non-classroom professional venues.
Criterion
Student Presentations
In any two year period, graduate students will present scholarly research in non-classroom professional venues.
Finding
Student Presentations
During 2006-07, 4 graduate students presented research findings in non-classroom professional venues. The previous year (2005-06), 10 graduate students presented papers at professional meetings.
Action
Student Presentations
In both 2005-06 and 2006-07, the department exceeded its expectations in the number of scholarly presentations of History graduate students in non-classroom professional venues.
As a result, during 2007-08 the department will increase its benchmark expectation to at least three scholarly presentations per year.
Action
Posting of Student Research
During 2006-07, the department began to collect and post samples of student writing projects. This collection of representative sources will be continued in 2007-08.
Objective
Knowledge Of Fields
History students will gain the factual and theoretical knowledge of three fields in history, so as to have the ability to teach courses in these fields at the secondary and college level.
Indicator
Degree Requirements
All M.A. History graduates shall successfully complete a Masters?????? Thesis or a major research paper for the required research seminar, and shall successfully pass written and oral exams in three field areas. This will be assessed by a survey of written examinations and oral examination reports.
Criterion
Research Project
All M.A. History students will achieve Good or Better ratings by a panel of history faculty on Master''''s Theses or research papers based upon primary historical sources.
Finding
Degree Requirements
During 2006-07, all MA graduates in History completed a research project judged by graduate faculty to be of good or better quality. All MA graduates also were orally examined in three field areas by panels of graduate faculty, and deemed by these panels to have a good or better understanding of the history and historiography of each field area.
A sample of a writing project judged to be of acceptable quality has been attached below.
Action
Posting of Student Research
During 2006-07, the department began to collect and post samples of student writing projects. This collection of representative sources will be continued in 2007-08.
Goal
Employment And Advanced Degrees
M.A. History graduates will use the knowledge and skills obtained in their studies to enhance and improve their performance in their present employment, continue advanced studies toward other degrees, or move into other historical fields, such as teaching, public history, or writing.
Objective
Employment
M.A. History graduates will gain the knowledge and skills to advance in their present careers or to enter new fields of employment.
Indicator
Employment Survey
The History Department shall create and launch a systematic plan that is designed to monitor the professional and career advancement of former history graduates.
Criterion
Career Development
At least 80% of history students five years after graduation will report on the survey instrument that the degree skills they acquired as a student has enabled them to meet their career goals.
Finding
Graduate Survey
During 2007, the History Department created a survey instrument designed to monitor the professional progress of former history graduates, and compiled a list of names and addresses of students who graduated in 2003. The survey will be sent to these students in March 2008.
Action
Graduate Survey
The survey instrument designed during 2006-07 will be sent to 2003 graduates during the spring of 2008.
Objective
Advanced Degree Programs
M.A. History graduates will have the commensurate academic achievement to pursue other degrees, such as the Ph.D. and the M.L.S.
Indicator
Advanced Degrees
A number of M.A. History Students with the aptitude, achievement, and motivation shall pursue advanced or specialized degrees at other Universities.
Criterion
Advanced Degrees
At least one history M.A. History graduate will be admitted into a Ph.D. or other advanced degree program each year.
Finding
Pipeline into advanced degree programs
In 2006-07, 3 MA History graduates entered into PhD programs (at the University of Minnesota, LSU, and Texas A&M University).
Action
Results of Pipeline Data
The data collected on students entering graduate programs demonstrated that 11 former history students entered graduate programs (6 MA programs and 3 PhD programs) during 2006-07.
The department will publicize this information in its student recruiting efforts during the 2007-08 year.
Action
Student Admissions into PhD Programs
During 2006-07, three former MA students entered PhD Programs in History, an accomplishment which exceeded our benchmark expectations. During 2007-08, the department will publish this positive accomplishment in a departmental newsletter and other student recruiting venues that will be sent to alums and friends of the History discipline.