Jul 15, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

History (M.A.)


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Program Overview


A master’s degree in history will prepare you to become a teacher, historian, archivist, librarian or museum professional. 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 regional history conferences. Learn more at https://www.usd.edu/Academics/Graduate-Programs/History.

DELIVERY: On campus

Master of Arts, History (thesis)


Major Area Coursework - 30 Credit Hours


Master of Arts, History (non-thesis)


Major Area Coursework - 30 Credit Hours


  • 3 cr
  • 3 cr
  • HIST Topic Seminar courses (5xx or 7xx) 12 cr
  • Departmental Electives (5xx or 7xx) 3-12 cr
  • Non-departmental Electives (5xx or 7xx) 0-9 cr
  • Note: Non-thesis 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


  1. Completed application
  2. $35 application fee
  3. Official transcripts*
  4. Letters of recommendation*
  5. Statement of purpose
  6. 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

Location Matters for Non-Licensure Track Programs


This program is not designed or advertised to lead to a professional license or certification required for employment.

USD is permitted to operate under the terms of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA) policies and standards in offering online courses/degree programs to residents in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.  Online courses/programs may also be offered to residents of California (a non-SARA state) because it does not regulate out-of-state public institutions.

Additionally, this program is authorized to offer supervised field study experiences (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) in South Dakota. Please be aware that there may be some restrictions on your ability to engage in supervised field study outside of South Dakota. Please contact a program representative if you have questions regarding supervised field study.

Distance education courses or programs will not be offered outside of the United States without prior written approval from the University, which may be withheld for any reason. If you are taking distance courses while physically located outside of the United States, it is your responsibility to confirm the following: (a) if the country will recognize an online degree; (b) the availability of supervised field study opportunities in the country; and (c) if the country charges any additional taxes, withholdings or fees associated with online distance education programs.

For more information, please visit USD’s State Authorization page or contact your admissions counselor.

Questions?


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

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

 

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