The M.A. curriculum is designed to give students a broad grounding in History. Each M.A. candidate selects a major area of concentration, and pursues study in two additional fields as well, one of which must be geographically distinct from the major area of concentration. Students's primary fields are generally defined by a time and place (e.g., the U.S. before the Civil War), while other fields explore other parts of the world, and/or thematic areas like public history, cultural history, and political history.

Language Proficiency
All M.A. candidates must demonstrate competency in one foreign language. U.S. history specialists may substitute proficiency in an alternative tool of research.

Course Work
1. Each student must obtain 30-32 credits, at least 24 of which must be in the 600-800 series.
2. Students may write a Master’s thesis for 8 credits as a substitute for two courses in the 600-800 series, one of which may be a research seminar.
3. At least one historiography course is required.
4. Three courses, or two with an assistantship, is the normal load per semester.