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.

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.

All M.A. History graduates will demonstrate depth and breadth of knowledge by successfully completing written and oral exams in three field areas. This will be assessed by a survey of written examinations and oral examination reports.

A panel of at least three graduate faculty will assess the quality of the written examinations to determine student mastery of the major historical themes and historiography within each of the three field areas. Students failing to demonstrate the required level of content mastery will be allowed, after consultation with the graduate committee and history chair, to retake the written exams. A second failure will result in termination from the program. Students successfully completing the written examinations will then take an oral examination before a panel of three graduate faculty members who will assess student mastery of the history and historiography in each of the three field areas. Students must pass or pass with distinction each content area. Students who fail to demonstrate sufficient competency in any of the three field areas will be allowed, after consultation with the examination committee and the departmental chair, to retake that portion of the oral examination that was not satisfactorily completed. A second failure will result in termination from the program.

All M.A. graduates will achieve passing or passing with distinction ratings on a written examination that covers three content areas.

Addressing difficulties from the previous year, the Director of Graduate Studies held mock comprehensives to help students understand the process. He also modified the non-thesis Seminar in History to better reflect departmental standards regarding students developing historiographical skills.

In the fall of 2010, the history department administered 10 comprehensive examinations to prospective MA graduates.  Of those 3 students failed sections of their first exams.  All three later successfully remediated those failures.  Thus 10 students graduated that term.

In the spring of 2011, the history department administered 12 comprehensive exams.  Of the 8 candidates, 2 failed portions of their exams.  One student successfully remediated his results by May 2011.  One student deferred his re-examination until August 2011.  One student successfully completed comps, but had yet to defend her thesis.  Thus, 9 students graduated.

In each instance of failure, students were cited for failure to answer a question fully (insufficient length) and/or failure to include relevant historiographical references within an answer.

Additionally, in this cycle, one of these students completed a thesis, receiving marks of "excellent".

In sum, history department awarded 19 Master's degrees for the year 2010-11.

Addressing difficulties from the previous year, the Director of Graduate Studies held mock comprehensives to help students understand the process. He also modified the non-thesis Seminar in History to better reflect departmental standards regarding students developing historiographical skills. 

During the academic year, 5 of 22 students failed at least one section of their comprehensive exams on first taking, but by the end of May, all except one student successfully met expectations on the allowed re-take exam.  The one remaining student plans to retake the exam at a later time.  The Graduate Affairs Committee will continue to monitor student success rates on the comprehensive examinations.