Master of Arts in History

Admission Requirements

1. Demonstration of preparation for graduate study in history. This includes one of the following from a recognized college or university:
   1. A bachelor’s degree in history, or
   2. An undergraduate degree with a minimum of 20 semester credits in history with at least 6 credits at the upper division level, or
   3. An undergraduate degree or combination of classes clearly demonstrating the applicant’s ability to pursue graduate study in history.
2. An overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00 and at least 3.25 in all undergraduate history courses.
3. A writing sample, preferably a research or seminar paper, that demonstrates the applicant’s research, analytical and writing skills.
4. Three letters of recommendation with at least two coming from individuals who hold or have held academic positions and who can comment on the applicant’s aptitude for graduate work.
5. A one-to-two page statement that explains the applicant’s interest in history, the reason for applying to the UND graduate program, and the area or areas in which the applicant intends to take courses and conduct research.
6. The applicant must meet the School of Graduate Studies’ current minimum general admission requirements as published in the graduate catalog.
7. To ensure full consideration of applications, especially for tuition waivers and graduate teaching assistantships, the application deadline for Fall admission is March 15 and for Spring admission, it is September 30. Later applications will be considered.

Accelerated Admission

The Department of History offers a combined B.A./M.A. program in order that qualified students may complete the requirements for the Master's in one year after completing their B.A.  Students must apply to this program prior to beginning their fourth year of baccalaureate study, and may then double-count up to twelve credits of approved coursework toward each degree.

Admission Requirements for the B.A./M.A. History program

1. The applicant must meet the School of Graduate Studies’ current minimum general admission requirements as published in the graduate catalog.
2. Students may apply to this program after completing at least 60 credits toward their undergraduate degree, including History 240 and at least two 300+ level history courses.
3. An overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 and at least 3.3 in all undergraduate history courses.
4. A writing sample, preferably a research or seminar paper, that demonstrates the applicant’s research, analytical and writing skills.
5. Three letters of recommendation with at least two coming from individuals who hold or have held academic positions and who can comment on the applicant’s aptitude for graduate work.
6. A one-to-two page statement that explains the applicant’s interest in history, the reason for applying to the UND graduate program, and the area or areas in which the applicant intends to take courses and conduct research.
7. Students must prepare a Program of Study that clearly indicates:
   1. The courses (a maximum of 12 graduate credits) that will be double-counted for both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. These courses will be taken prior to completing the bachelor’s degree.
   2. The courses that will be taken after being accepted into the graduate program. These courses will be taken after completing the bachelor’s degree.
   3. The graduation date for the master’s degree that meets the time limit for the ABM program (i.e., completing the master’s degree within 12 months for a 4+1 program.)
   4. After review of the materials submitted by the Director of the Graduate Program to the School of Graduate Studies, a letter of acceptance (or denial) to the master’s program, contingent upon meeting the ABM requirements, is issued.
   5. Applications accepted for admission to the Graduate Program will not be matriculated until completion of the bachelor’s degree.
8. Students with no prior BS or BA degree will be admitted to School of Graduate Studies upon completion of 120 credits.

Master of Arts in History Degree Requirements

Students seeking the Master of Arts degree at the University of North Dakota must satisfy all general requirements of the School of Graduate Studies as well as requirements of the History Department.

1. The M.A. degree requires a minimum of 30 credit hours.
2. At least 12 credits must be at the 500 level or higher. 
3. In consultation with a designated advisor, the student will select a supervisory committee and prepare a program of study that provides the student with the academic tools necessary for advanced scholarly research, responds to the student’s academic and professional interests and goals, and fulfills all degree requirements. At the discretion of the student’s advisor, this program may require demonstrable proficiency in a foreign language and may include a minor or cognate.
4.  Successful submission of a portfolio that includes at least 1 piece of article-length scholarship (8,000-10,000 words), one piece of conference paper-length scholarship (2,000-3,000 words), and one other contribution (either a conference paper-length work, an article-length work, or a public history project). 
5. The following coursework is required:

6. Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   HIST 501	Methods of Historical Research	3
   HIST 502	Historiography	3
   History/American Indian Study Elective Courses (any eligible for graduate credit)		12-15
   Non-History Electives (any eligible for graduate credit)		3-6
   HIST 503	Advanced Historical Methods and Portfolio Preparation	3
   HIST 595	Research Normally taken concurrently with HIST 503 in the student's last semester	3

Degree Requirements for Completion of the Accelerated BA/MA Degree Program

1. Students must complete the bachelor’s degree prior to entering the master’s program. 
2. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 at UND to remain eligible for the degree program.
3. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or better in the double-counted graduate level courses.
4. No more than twelve (12) credits of graduate work may be counted toward the requirements of both degrees.
5. For the combined program, students must complete the master’s degree within 12 months from the completion of the bachelor’s degree.