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Fall 2025 Graduate Catalog
History, MA
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History Department, College of Arts and Sciences
Degree Awarded: Master of Arts in History
While strong in many conventional geographical fields of historical study, our graduate program takes an innovative thematic approach to encourage comparative, transnational, interdisciplinary, and theoretically-informed scholarship and teaching. Working closely with our award-winning faculty, our graduate students develop expertise and teaching experience in both thematic areas and geographical fields, while pursuing extensive original research. In the process, they learn how to apply important concepts-such as class, gender, race, culture, power,and environment-to the study of the past. By emphasizing active engagement, discussion, and collaboration, our program fosters a dynamic,collegial learning environment where graduate students receive substantial mentorship. The program is designed so individual students may customize their course of study to their own intellectual interests and career objectives. All graduate students are welcome and encouraged to participate in university and departmental events and programs.
The graduate program is structured around five areas of thematic inquiry: 1) Global Connections, Empire, Capitalism; 2) Health, Science, Environment; 3) Race, Citizenship, Migration.; 4) Religion, gender, cultural identity; and 5) States, nations, political cultures. Courses developed around these expansive themes are the heart of the department’s commitment to the theoretically informed, interdisciplinary study of history.
The History Department has a faculty of 25 distinguished scholars with outstanding records in research, education, and public service. In addition,it has close ties with many other departments, including Affiliated Faculty in: African Studies; English; Hispanic Languages and Literature;Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature; Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; Sociology; Music; Economics; and Technology and Society. We collaborate regularly with the Stony Brook Humanities Institute, the Latin American and Caribbean Studies Center, and the Institute for Globalization Studies, among others.
Each year we admit 6-8 students to the doctoral (Ph.D.) program and 5-10 students to the terminal master’s (MA) and joint B.A./M/A. programs.The department currently has approximately 60 full- and part-time graduate students.
Master’s Degree: Our MA program includes two separate paths to the degree-Professional Track or Academic Track- designed to meet our diverse students’ varied needs and goals. To secure the M.A. degree, students must complete 30 credits of graduate study (with a grade of B or higher) and pass an oral examination. When pursued full-time, the program can be completed in approximately 4 semesters; part-time options are also available.
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Admission Requirements
Admissions Website - Bachelor’s degree in History, or equivalent, with minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B) in all undergraduate coursework and History courses.
- 3 Letters of Recommendation for Ph.D. applicants; 2 Letters of Recommendation for M.A. applicants. Letters should address student’s potential to succeed in a rigorous course of graduate study.
- All students who are not native or primary speakers of English must demonstrate proficiency in English to be admitted to the Graduate School by submitting scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System(IELTS). Required minimum scores: IELTS overall score of 6.5, with no subsection below 6; TOEFL score of 80 for M.A. and 90 for Ph.D.and to be eligible for TA/GA support. See English Proficiency Requirements for Admission for a more detailed explanation.
- Writing sample (12 pages for M.A.; 20 pages for Ph.D.) that exemplifies the applicant’s writing skills and capacity for research, analysis, and creative thought.
- Any additional requirements of the Graduate School.
With approval from the dean of the Graduate School and the History Department, a student with an M.A. degree from another accredited institution may be admitted directly to the Ph.D. program at Stony Brook. In special cases, students whose GPA does not meet the requirements stated above may be admitted on a provisional basis for M.A. study only. Admission to Ph.D. Program: Students with an M.A. degree, including those conferred by Stony Brook University, who wish to be considered for the Ph.D. Program must submit a formal application to the Graduate School. Admission is not guaranteed. MA Tracks (Academic or Professional)
Our M.A. program offers two separate paths to the degree-Professional Track and Academic Track-that are designed to meet our diverse students’ varied needs and goals. If in doubt about which option is best suited to your needs, confer with the Graduate Program Director. - Professional Track This option allows students maximum flexibility to design their own curriculum. It is especially suitable for Social Studies teachers who need an M.A. degree for professional certification; persons seeking advanced study or preparation for careers involving research,writing, and historical knowledge; and interested individuals seeking personal enrichment, whether or not history is related to their occupation.
On this track, students must earn 30 credits (see chart below), in addition to fulfilling any Graduate School requirements. Credits may be from coursework alone-including, if desired, up to 6 credits of content-based pedagogy courses-or may include writing an optional M.A. thesis(6 credits). Lastly, students must pass an Oral Examination as the culmination of their studies. Students may enroll on a full- or part-time basis,beginning usually in the Fall semester. - Academic Track This option is designed for individuals aspiring to a career in higher education or advanced historical scholarship, but who are not yet ready to enter a Ph.D. program. Students on this track are encouraged to develop a concentration in a region, period, or interdisciplinary field. They are also required to take the Core Seminar to develop a strong foundation in historical methods and theory and applied research.
On this track, students must earn 30 credits (see chart below), in addition to fulfilling any Graduate School requirements. Credits may be from coursework alone-including the required Core Seminar-or may include writing an optional M.A. thesis (6 credits). Lastly, students must pass an Oral Examination as the culmination of their studies. Students may enroll on a full- or part-time basis, beginning in the Fall semester. Coursework (Academic or Professional Track)
Core Seminar I and II (HIS 524 and HIS 525 ; 3 credits each): This year-long course provides an intensive introduction to historical methods and theory based around the graduate program’s themes. The second semester includes the immersive experience of completing a major research project under close faculty supervision. The Core Seminar is offered as a Fall/Spring sequence only. Students on the M.A. Academic Track are required to take it during their second year (or first year, with permission from the Graduate Program Director). Field Seminars (3 credits each): Designed to familiarize students with the history and historiography of specific regions and periods, these courses include: Medieval and Early Modern Europe (HIS 501 ); Modern Europe (HIS 502 ); Early American History (HIS 521 ); Modern American History (HIS 522 ); Colonial Latin America (HIS 541 ); Modern Latin America (HIS 542 ); Introduction to African History (HIS 562);Introduction to Asian History (HIS 562 ); South Asian History (HIS 563 ); Chinese History (HIS 564 ); and Japanese History (HIS 565 ). While some of these courses are offered on a one- or two-year cycle, others may be offered slightly less frequently. Students concentrating on a specific region are encouraged to complete both parts of the Field Seminar chronological sequence where available. Depending on their track, M.A.students must take 2 or 3 Field Seminars. These seminars are also open to Master of Arts in Teaching students. Theme Seminars (3 credits each): While specific topics and approaches vary, these seminars generally fall within the framework of our program’s themes (discussed above) and at least two are offered each semester. M.A. students must take a minimum of 2 Theme Seminars. Directed Reading(s) (HIS 584 /HIS 585 , 3 credits each): This course, customized to student’s individual interests, involves independent study under the supervision of a faculty member. During their first semester, M.A. students are recommended to take a Directed Reading with their Advisor so they can meet regularly and receive academic support. M.A. students must take a minimum of 1 Directed Reading. Electives (3 credits each). In addition to required courses, M.A. students take their remaining credits as Electives which allows them to customize their studies. Possibilities include additional Field or Theme Seminars, Directed Reading(s), or graduate courses offered in conjunction with other departments (e.g., Sociology, English, Art History, Africana Studies, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, etc.). Students may take an Orals Workshop (HIS 586) to prepare for their Oral Exam. All M.A. students must take a minimum of 12 credits as Electives. If they choose to write an M.A. thesis (6 credits), it must be completed over two semesters and thus counts as two Electives. Professional Track
- 3 Field Seminars Credits: 9 credits
- 2 Theme Seminars Credits: 6 credits
- 1 Directed Reading Credits: 3 credits
- Elective Courses: 12 credits (may include an optional 6 credit M.A. Thesis)
- Oral Examination
Oral Examination:
After completing 24 credits, the M.A. student convenes a two-person Oral Examination Committee, including their Advisor (who focuses on the student’s major geo-political field) and one additional faculty member (who focuses on a complementary field,usually based on a theme seminar). At least 2 months in advance, the student compiles a list of books and topics to be included on the exam,which the committee must approve. To prepare for the exam, the student may enroll in an Orals Workshop (or Directed Reading). The student is responsible for scheduling the exam at a mutually convenient time and for submitting all necessary paperwork to the Graduate Program Coordinator. The exam lasts approximately 1 hour and is graded as “pass with distinction,” “pass,” or “fail.” In the event of failure, the student may petition to re-take the exam a second time at a later date. Master’s Thesis (optional):
Students who opt to write an M.A. thesis must enroll in HIS 586 (Thesis Preparation for M.A. Candidates) and/or HIS 584 /HIS 585 (Directed Readings for M.A. Candidates), under their Advisor’s supervision. An M.A. thesis is expected to range from 40 to 70 pages, as agreed with Advisor, and contain significant original research and analysis. Part of the Oral Examination will be devoted to defense of the thesis. Language Requirement:
Master’s students with a concentration in European history must pass a written exam in an appropriate foreign language. Students in Latin American history must pass a written exam in Spanish or Portuguese. Other areas of concentration currently do not require a foreign language for the M.A. degree. Admission to Ph.D. Program: Students with an M.A. degree, including those conferred by Stony Brook University, who wish to be considered for the Ph.D. Program must submit a formal application to the Graduate School. Admission is not guaranteed. |
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