The M.A. in History is designed for students with specific objectives such as community college or secondary school teaching, journalism, archival administration, library or public sector work, personal gratification, etc -- students who normally neither require nor desire a Ph. D. degree. For students completing the M.A. degree, admission to the Ph. D. program will be considered on the same basis as that of new applicants. There is normally no funding for M.A. candidates.
Requirements
The Graduate Committee provides a common program for M.A. and MA/BA candidates that is distinct from the Ph. D. program. Candidates are required to do the following:
- Complete a minimum of six course, which may include History 700 (with the instructor's permission) but must include at least two 600-level courses and four additional graduate courses in the Department of History or other departments appropriate to their career objectives.
- Write a Master's thesis oriented to their specific skills and career plans.
- Pass a final examination based upon the Master's thesis and the statement of goals included in the original application for admission. This examination will be conducted by the candidate's academic advisor and at least one other Graduate Group faculty member.
Note: The University of Pennsylvania requires no formal certification of language skills for the M.A., degree; however, certain technical competency requirements (including language) may be appropriate in the M.A. programs of particular students. In such cases they will be determined by the candidate in consultation with his/her academic advisor.
