Welcome to our Master's Program!

Graduate students benefit from small classes, research opportunities, and faculty with a wide range of chronological, methodological, and thematic research interests. Graduate coursework—from small seminars to thesis hours to practicums—equips students with the skills to research, write, and think critically about the past and present. In recent semesters, we’ve offered graduate seminars on Barbarians, the Cold War, and natural disasters; electives on Latin American Republics, the Balkans, and Ancient & Medieval Women; and practicums that place students in local museums.

Our faculty have a diverse set of research interests that crisscross the globe:

  • Dr. Ashbrook – Modern Europe, Military History, Nationalism
  • Dr. Blakeslee – Modern Latin America, Sports History
  • Dr. Draper – Early America, Atlantic World, Maritime & Environmental History
  • Dr. Rattanasengchanh – Modern Asia, Cold War, American Foreign Policy
  • Dr. Snow – US South, Labor & Environmental History
  • Dr. Ziegler – Ancient & Medieval Europe, Gender History, Charity

Earning a Master’s Degree

There are two tracks in our master’s program.  Students can choose which track best suits their needs.  We also offer a graduate certificate and graduate minor.

  • Thesis Track

The Thesis Track requires 30 semester hours of approved graduate courses. These courses include Methods and Historiography (HIST 6103), Preparing Historians (HIST 6503), two Graduate Seminars on various topics (HIST 6003), and six hours of thesis research (HIST 6983 & HIST 6993).  To graduate, students must produce a polished thesis of at least 60 pages and pass an oral examination. See the list of theses to see the scope of projects our students have undertaken.

  • Non-Thesis Track

The Non-Thesis Track requires 36 semester hours of approved graduate courses. These courses include Methods and Historiography (HIST 6103), Preparing Historians (HIST 6503), and four Graduate Seminars on various topics (HIST 6003).  It is also possible for student to take coursework outside of the history department.  To graduate, non-thesis students must present and defend a polished exit paper based on research conducted in their coursework.  

  • Graduate Certificate or Graduate Minor

We offer a graduate certificate in history that requires 12 semester hours of approved graduate courses, including one Graduate Seminar (HIST 6003).  We also offer a Graduate Minor that requires 12 semester hours of approved graduate courses.  More information about these programs can be found in the Graduate Catalog.

Applying to the Program

Admission to the MA program requires:

  • Application to McAda Graduate School
  • $50 Application Fee
  • Official Transcripts (from all institutions attended other than MSU)
  • Writing Sample (of up to 10 pages)
  • Three Letters of Recommendation (if you are a current MSU undergraduate, please use this form).

More information about the application process, including information for international applicants and application deadlines, can be found on the Graduate School’s website.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact the Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Mary Draper (mary.draper@msutexas.edu).