History Master of Arts Degree Program

Program of Study (30 - 36 credits)

Geographic Focus Track (30 credits)

Major Fields:

• United States History
• Modern European History
• Latin American History
• African History
• Asian History

1. Course work in History: 21 credits minimum
   1. Courses, as advised, including at least one research seminar and one reading seminar in the appropriate major field
   2. With departmental approval a thesis in history for 4-6 credits may be presented in place of or in addition to the research seminar
2. Supporting Course work: 0 - 9 credits - Courses in the social sciences and other fields as advised
3. Major Field Exam: Satisfactory completion of an examination in one Geographic Focus major field, or an alternate concentration field with departmental approval.
4. Foreign Language Requirement - A reading knowledge of one foreign language appropriate to the student's major field is required for M.A. candidates writing Master's theses on non-U.S. topics. This requirement can be fulfilled by an examination in the Department, by an examination administered by a language department with approval of the History Department, or by satisfactory completion of a graduate level language course that has been approved by the History Department. A student may not take the language examination more than twice for the MA degree.

Thematic Focus Track (30 credits)

Major Fields:

• Cultural History
• Gender History
• International, Global, and Comparative History
• Public Policy History
• Social and Economic History Work and Society

1. Course work in History: 21 credits minimum
   1. Courses, as advised, including at least one research seminar and one reading seminar in the appropriate major field
   2. With departmental approval a thesis in history for 4-6 credits may be presented in place of or in addition to the research seminar
2. Supporting Course work: 0 - 9 credits - Courses in the social sciences and other fields as advised
3. Major Field Exam: Satisfactory completion of an examination in one Thematic Focus major field, or an alternate concentration field with departmental approval.
4. Foreign Language Requirement - A reading knowledge of one foreign language appropriate to the student's major field is required for M.A. candidates writing Master's theses on non-U.S. topics. This requirement can be fulfilled by an examination in the Department, by an examination administered by a language department with approval of the History Department, or by satisfactory completion of a graduate level language course that has been approved by the History Department. A student may not take the language examination more than twice for the MA degree.

Public History Focus Track (36 credits, minimum)

Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits of coursework chosen from Group A and B as apportioned plus a supervised internship for 6 credits.

1. Group A: Academic Content Courses (18- 21 credits)
   1. Geographic and thematic courses in History, including one reading course
   2. Research Seminar
2. Group B: Public History Courses (9-12 credits)
   1. His 501   Introduction to Public History (3) 
   2. And other courses selected from the following:
      His 503   Introduction to Historical Agency Management and Practice (3)
      His 504   Curatorial Practices for Historical Agencies (3)
      His 505   Interpretation of Historic Sites and Artifacts (3)
      His 506   History Museums (3)
      His 508   Material Culture Studies (3)
      His 509   Introduction to Historic Preservation (3)
      His 594   Practicum in Oral/Aural History (3)
      His 596   Practicum in Digital History (3)
      His 597   Practicum in Historical Documentary Filmmaking (3)
      His 598   Practicum in Historical Narrative (3) 
3. His 798A Internship in Public History (6 credits)
4. Major Field Exam: Satisfactory completion of a major field examination covering academic and public history course content.

Please note: The Public History concentration for this program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If applicants have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of the intended academic program.

Collaborative M.A. in History and J.D. in Law

The University at Albany’s Department of History and the Albany Law School have established a collaborative arrangement for graduate students seeking to obtain a Master of Arts (M.A.) in History and the Juris Doctor (J.D.) in Law, via execution of a formal Articulation Agreement. The University will credit Albany Law School students with up to six elective credits toward M.A. History program requirements by completion of relevant Albany Law School courses. Similarly, Albany Law School will credit law students who enter the History M.A. program with up to twelve relative elective credits toward the completion of the J.D. degree of 99 credits.