History (M.A.)

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Program Overview

A master’s degree in history will prepare you to become a teacher, historian, archivist, political scientist or an archaeologist. It will allow you to focus on a variety of areas in American and European history. Library holdings at USD for graduate research are especially strong in regional, Native American and 20th-century United States history. As a master’s student, you will receive individual attention from faculty and have funds for research and opportunities to present papers at multiple regional history conferences. Learn more at https://www.usd.edu/Academics/Graduate-Programs/History.

DELIVERY: On campus

Master of Arts, History Plan A (thesis)

Major Area Coursework - 30 Credit Hours

HIST 780 - Historiography 3 cr
HIST 782 - Research Seminar in History 3 cr
HIST 798 - Thesis 1 to 6 cr (6 credit hours required)
Four HIST seminar courses (7xx) 12 credit hours
Departmental or non-departmental electives 6 credit hours

Note: Plan A students must take an oral examination. Graduate transfer credits are limited to six hours and must receive approval from the Department.

Master of Arts, History Plan B (non-thesis)

Major Area Coursework - 33 Credit Hours

HIST 780 - Historiography 3 cr
HIST 782 - Research Seminar in History 3 cr
HIST seminar courses (7xx) 21 credit hours
Departmental or non-departmental electives 6 credit hours

Note: Plan B students must take written and oral examinations. Graduate transfer credits are limited to six hours and must receive approval from the Department.

General Application Requirements

Completed application
$35 application fee
Official transcripts*
Letters of recommendation*
Statement of purpose
Resume/CV*

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. This list is not all-inclusive, to view specific program requirements and submission deadlines, follow the “Admissions Information” hyperlink at the top of this page OR visit the specific program/dept. page found here: link.usd.edu/grad-catalog

State Authorization - It Matters Where You Live

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference USD’s State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization

Questions?

Department of History
605-677-5218 | history@usd.edu | usd.edu/history

Graduate Admissions
605-658-6140 | gradadmissions@usd.edu | usd.edu/grad