History, MA

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Students admitted to the Master of Arts in History should refer to the History Student Handbook for the year in which they begin the program for complete details.

Degree Requirements

Degree requirements for the program include the following.

40 units of coursework (HIST 300 is required), with a grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better
One substantive research paper
One foreign language
Thesis

University Policies. University policies detailed in the Academic Policies section of the Bulletin apply.

Master’s Along the Way to the Doctorate

Although rare, the student admitted to the doctoral program with only a bachelor’s degree is eligible to apply for a Master’s degree along the way to the doctorate. This opportunity, however, is not available if the student already has a Master’s in History from another institution. The student is not eligible to apply for another MA in History from CGU.

Students who wish to receive an MA while working toward the PhD should write a letter to the History faculty stating their intention. Students should have completed 40 units of required master’s degree graduate courses at CGU, passed the foreign language exam, and written two substantive research papers using primary historical resources in CGU history courses for which the student received grades of B+ or better.

History Concentrations

American Studies

The American Studies concentration is characterized by a multidisciplinary approach to the history and character of American culture and society.

European Studies

The European Studies concentration provides students new and traditional methods of research and equips them with the skills to teach general courses in European civilization, humanities, interdisciplinary subjects, and specialized areas of European cultural and intellectual history. An emphasis is placed on modern and early modern European culture and intellectual history.

Early Modern Studies Concentration

The Early Modern Studies concentration encompasses study in the disciplines of English, History, and Philosophy, while retaining disciplinary focus in one of those fields. Students interested in this concentration should consult with Dr. Lori Anne Ferrell.

For master’s students, this discrete course of study complements coursework in archival and museum studies and/or prepares students for application to doctoral programs in early modern, Renaissance, or Reformation Literature, History, or Philosophy.

For doctoral students, the concentration prepares students for research and teaching at the college or university level.

Coursework

Coursework requirements complement and do not replace departmental requirements in History, English, or Philosophy, and are as follows.

Five courses in the early modern period (for English or History, 1500-1750 | for Philosophy, 1600-1800), of which two courses must be in a discipline other than the one in which the student is receiving the degree.
Course in Paleography
Course in Latin Reading (this course is not required but may be taken for credit; fulfillment of the research tool in Latin is by exam only)
One course or workshop based upon bibliographic inquiry into the extensive collections of modern print and manuscripts housed in the Special Collections of the The Claremont Colleges Library

Research Tools

For MA students, the Early Modern Studies concentration requires a second Research Tool. The two Research Tools for the concentration must be completed through language exams in German or French and in Latin. If a Latin Reading course is taken in preparation for the exam, this course may be used for credit toward the degree/concentration.

For PhD students, the Early Modern Studies concentration requires a third Research Tool. The three Research Tools for the concentration must be completed through language exams in German, French, and Latin. If a Latin Reading course is taken in preparation for the exam, this course may be used for credit toward the degree/concentration.