Student-Faculty Handbook
Master of Arts in History Requirements

Introduction:  This handbook offers information on the requirements for completing a terminal Master of Arts degree in the history department.  These requirements do not apply to students seeking a Master of Arts in Education.  

Summary:  The Department of History offers a Master of Arts degree in History through its graduate program. This program is designed to prepare students for the teaching of history on the junior and senior college level; to provide the initial graduate work for those who intend to pursue a doctoral degree; and to enhance the preparation of secondary teachers of history who desire to meet certification requirements through such a program.

The Department offers two graduate programs leading to the Master of Arts degree.  The two M.A. plans have different requirements:

Plan A: twenty-four hours of course work plus a six-hour thesis.
Plan B: thirty-six hours of course work, no thesis.

All M.A. candidates must also complete a four-course sequence in an area of concentration.

Table of Contents

M.A. Degree in History.  Plan A: Thesis Option	2

M.A. Degree in History.  Plan B: Non-Thesis Option	5

Supplemental Requirements for M.A. Candidates and Faculty Members	7

A.  General History Department policies, requirements, procedures,
and responsibilities	8

B.  Areas of Concentration, with Faculty Listing and Courses Offered	9

C.  History Department M.A. Candidate Deadlines	11
MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN HISTORY
Plan A: Thesis Option

Major Steps and Policies for Plan A:  Thesis Option
1. Preliminary Preparation and Application to Program
2. Conference with Departmental Advisor.
3. Course Requirements
4. Research Tool
5.  Area of Concentration
6.  Time Limit
7.  Grade Requirements
8.  Filing the Graduate Degree Program (Form C).
9.  Admission to Candidacy (Form D)
10.  Writing the Thesis
11. Comprehensive Written and Oral Examinations
12.  Application for the Degree

___________________________________________________________________

1. Preliminary Preparation and Application to Program
Candidates for the M.A. degree should have completed an undergraduate major or minor (of at least 18 hours) in history with grade point average of approximately B (3.0 on 4.0 scale). The overall undergraduate grade point average must be at least 2.5.

Applications to the History Department’s graduate programs are handled by the Graduate Studies office (www.wku.edu/graduate).  Students must meet the minimum standards for admission set forth by Graduate Studies.  

Students must sit for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and submit scores to the university as part of their application.  The advanced test in History is not required. 

2. Conference with Departmental Advisor
Upon acceptance to the program, and before courses begin, graduate students must contact the History Department’s Graduate Advisor for advising.  

3. Course Requirements
•	Twenty-four (24) hours of course work must be completed with a 3.0 average. Each program is individually planned with the Graduate Advisor.
•	History 535 must be included unless it is being used to meet the requirement for the research tool. 
•	All courses must be taught by members of the Graduate Faculty if they are to count for graduate credit. 
•	Students may take no more than four 400G-level courses.  
•	Transfer Work:  A maximum of nine (9) credit-hours for graduate courses work may be transferred from another institution. See the current Graduate Bulletin for a statement of University regulations for transfer work. No correspondence work can be applied toward the degree. 
•	Enrollment Limits:  Graduate students may not enroll for more than 15 hours in a semester or 12 hours in a summer term of 11 weeks -- or 6 hours in a term of 5 weeks. Graduate assistants are limited to a total of 9-12 hours per semester.
4. Research Tool -- Language Requirement
The research tool requirement must be fulfilled by demonstrating proficiency in a language other than English.  The Modern Languages Department will administer language proficiency exams.  The research tool must be completed before beginning work on the thesis.
5.  Area of Concentration
Each student must take at least four (4) courses (12 credit hours) in a field of concentration in order to qualify for their M.A. exam.

6. Time Limit
All requirements for the degree must be completed within a period of 5 consecutive years from the date of first enrollment.

7. Grade Requirements
Students must attain an average of B (3.0) in all graduate work to receive a degree.
No credit will be given for D work.
No credit will be given for excess undergraduate work or work taken as a special post-graduate student.

8. Filing the Graduate Degree Program (Form C)
The Graduate Degree Program (Form C) must be filed prior to or upon completion of 12 hours of graduate credit. 

9. Admission to Candidacy (Form D)
Admission to Candidacy (Form D) is acted upon by the Graduate Council after the completion of 12 hours and before the semester of graduation with a 3.0 average and the approval of the student's Advisory Committee and the Graduate Dean. Any course required for the research tool must be completed before Admission to Candidacy is approved.

10. Writing the Thesis

A. The student registers for History 599, Thesis Research (3 hours) and Thesis Writing (3 hours), no later than the semester in which he or she graduates. The grade is "Incomplete" until the thesis is accepted.
B. Faculty Mentor:  The student should choose a faculty member to mentor him/her during the thesis-writing process.  The student must consult with the faculty mentor to develop an appropriate thesis topic.  The faculty mentor must be a member of the Graduate Faculty and will serve as the student’s official thesis director.
C. Thesis Committee:  Working with the faculty mentor and the Graduate Advisor, the student should form a thesis committee.  The committee consists of three faculty members.  
D. Thesis Proposal:  Before beginning work on the thesis itself, the student will provide each member of the committee with a five-page thesis proposal which (a) indicates the nature and scope of the proposed topic and (b) indicates the major sources of research materials which will be used for the study. 
E.  Thesis Proposal Defense:  The student must meet with his/her thesis committee to defend his/her thesis proposal.  The student may not proceed with thesis work until the thesis proposal has been formally approved by the thesis committee.
F. Thesis Writing Process:  The thesis director will work closely with the student as he/she completes each draft chapter of the thesis.  Each draft chapter should be approved by the thesis director as it is written.  Following approval by the thesis director, each draft chapter should be circulated to the entire committee for detailed criticism of form, content and method. Later drafts will also circulate if necessary.
G. Completed Thesis Draft:  A complete draft of the thesis is circulated to all members of the committee at least 45 days before the date of graduation. If the steps outlined above have been followed, changes at this stage should be minor. The thesis will follow the style guidelines of the most recent addition of the Chicago Manual of Style and the formatting guidelines set forth by the Graduate School and Potter College of Arts and Letters.
H. Three copies of the final thesis must be submitted to the Committee and the original must be submitted to the Graduate Dean at least 3 weeks prior to the date of graduation.
I. If not enrolled in graduate course work, the student must enroll in 599c, Maintaining Matriculation, during any semester or summer term in which the thesis is being actively pursued or the degree is attained.

11. Comprehensive Written and Oral Examinations
These are oral and written examinations which cover the student's entire graduate program, including the thesis. Students may not sit for the exams until completion of all requirements for the degree and until a draft of the thesis has been approved. 

At least 30 days before the written exam, the student must distribute to exam board members a comprehensive bibliography of all historical works read during his/her course of graduate study at WKU.  If exam board members feel there are deficiencies in the candidate’s preparation as evidenced by the bibliography, they may require the M.A. candidate to read more works before sitting for examinations.

See the Graduate Advisor about scheduling the exams

12. Application for the Degree
Application for the Degree must be filed with the Registrar by the dates established by the Registrar each semester. 

MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN HISTORY
Plan B: Non-Thesis Option

Major Steps and Policies for Plan B:  Non-Thesis Option
1. Preliminary Preparation and Application to Program
2. Conference with Departmental Advisor.
3. Course Requirements
4. Research Tool
5.  Area of Concentration
6.  Time Limit
7.  Grade Requirements
8.  Filing the Graduate Degree Program (Form C).
9.  Admission to Candidacy (Form D)
10. Comprehensive Written and Oral Examinations
11.  Application for the Degree
_____________________________________________________________________

1. Preliminary Preparation and Application to Program
Candidates for the M.A. degree should have completed an undergraduate major or minor (of at least 18 hours) in history with grade point average of approximately B (3.0 on 4.0 scale). The overall undergraduate grade point average must be at least 2.5.

Applications to the History Department’s graduate programs are handled by the Graduate Studies office (www.wku.edu/graduate).  Students must meet the minimum standards for admission set forth by Graduate Studies.  

Students must sit for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and submit scores to the university as part of their application.  The advanced test in History is not required. 

2. Conference with Departmental Advisor
Upon acceptance to the program, and before courses begin, graduate students must contact the History Department’s Graduate Advisor for advising.  

3. Course Requirements
•	Thirty-six (36) hours of course work must be completed with a 3.0 average. Each program is individually planned with the Graduate Advisor.
•	History 535 must be included unless it is being used to meet the requirement for the research tool. 
•	All courses must be taught by members of the Graduate Faculty if they are to count for graduate credit. 
•	Students may take no more than four 400G-level courses.  
•	Transfer Work:  A maximum of nine (9) credit-hours for graduate courses work may be transferred from another institution. See the current Graduate Bulletin for a statement of University regulations for transfer work. No correspondence work can be applied toward the degree. 
•	Enrollment Limits:  Graduate students may not enroll for more than 15 hours in a semester or 12 hours in a summer term of 11 weeks -- or 6 hours in a term of 5 weeks. Graduate assistants are limited to a total of 9-12 hours per semester.

4. Research Tool
The research tool requirement may be met by demonstrating proficiency in (1) a foreign language, or (2) Mathematics 203, Statistics, or (3) History 535, provided it is not being taken for course credit as part of the program. A grade of B is required in any research tool course. The Modern Languages Department will administer language proficiency exams.  The research tool must be completed before filing the Admission to Candidacy form (Form D).

5.  Area of Concentration
Each student must take at least four (4) courses (12 credit hours) in a field of concentration in order to qualify for their M.A. exam.

6. Time Limit
All requirements for the degree must be completed within a period of 5 consecutive years from the date of first enrollment.

7. Grade Requirements
Students must attain an average of B (3.0) in all graduate work to receive a degree.
No credit will be given for D work.
No credit will be given for excess undergraduate work or work taken as a special post-graduate student.

8. Filing the Graduate Degree Program (Form C)
The Graduate Degree Program (Form C) must be filed prior to or upon completion of 12 hours of graduate credit. 

9. Admission to Candidacy (Form D)
Admission to Candidacy (Form D) is acted upon by the Graduate Council after the completion of 12 hours and before the semester of graduation with a 3.0 average and the approval of the student's Advisory Committee and the Graduate Dean. Any course required for the research tool must be completed before Admission to Candidacy is approved.

10. Comprehensive Written and Oral Examinations
These are oral and written examinations which cover the student's entire graduate program. Students may not sit for exams until completion of all requirements for the degree. See the Graduate Advisor about scheduling the exams.

At least 30 days before the written exam, the student must distribute to exam board members a comprehensive bibliography of all historical works read during his/her course of graduate study at WKU.  If exam board members feel there are deficiencies in the candidate’s preparation as evidenced by the bibliography, they may require the M.A. candidate to read more works before sitting for examinations.

11. Application for the Degree
Application for the Degree must be filed with the Registrar by the dates established by the Registrar each semester. 

Other policies and procedures for History Department
M.A. Candidates and Faculty Members

The following requirements shall supplement existing requirements for graduate students seeking a terminal Master of Arts degree in history.  

Summary:   This section outlines supplemental procedures and requirements for graduate students seeking a terminal Master of Arts degree in history and the faculty members who work with them.  In order to qualify to sit for the M.A. degree examination, students must select a field of concentration.  Potential concentrations and the faculty members/courses included in the concentrations are listed below.  Students will choose faculty members to be their mentors.  Faculty mentors, in collaboration with the graduate advisor, will be responsible for guiding the students they mentor through the process of completing their M.A. degree requirements.

Contents

A.	General History Department policies, requirements, procedures, and faculty member responsibilities beyond those outlined in existing graduate program rules

B.  Areas of Concentration, with Faculty and Courses Offered

C.  History Department M.A. Candidate Deadlines

A.  General History Department policies, requirements, procedures,
and responsibilities

1.  Course Requirements for MA Exam Concentrations:  Each student must take at least four (4) courses (12 credit hours) in a field of concentration in order to qualify for their M.A. exam.  Possible concentration options are outlined in this document.

2.  Mentorship:  In the course of their education and development, all budding historians rely on the advice and guidance of mentor figures within the profession.  Without mentoring, it is nearly impossible for young scholars to comprehend and master the complexities of the “historian’s craft.”  Therefore, in addition to relying on the advice of the graduate advisor, each student must select a faculty member in their chosen field of concentration to act as his/her mentor.   The mentor should be selected within the first two semesters (or 18 credit hours) of coursework, and the mentor must agree to take on this responsibility.  The faculty mentor, in collaboration with the graduate advisor, will be responsible for helping the student to compile a bibliography, select an exam board, and offer any other pertinent advice.  Faculty mentors will also be responsible for collecting and approving bibliography summaries submitted by their students (see below).  It is expected that faculty mentors will serve on their students’ oral exam/thesis defense boards.

3. Exam Boards:  Oral exam/thesis defense boards consist of three faculty members.  Each student must select three faculty members (one may be the Graduate Advisor) from their field of concentration to sit on their MA oral exam board.  Students are encouraged to select their exam boards at least two semesters before sitting for the MA exam, but must do so no later than 45 days before taking the exam, and must inform the Graduate Advisor of their selections. 

At least 30 days before the written exam, the student must distribute to exam board members a comprehensive bibliography of all historical works read during his/her course of graduate study at WKU.  If exam board members feel there are deficiencies in the candidate’s preparation as evidenced by the bibliography, they may require the M.A. candidate to read more works before sitting for examinations.

4.  Pass/Fail Policy:  Faculty members on the oral exam/thesis defense panel may fail a student if the student does not demonstrate sufficient knowledge and understanding of his/her field of concentration and/or the items listed on the submitted bibliography.  A student may re-take their M.A. exam two times.  The graduate advisor and faculty members on the exam/thesis panel will schedule any follow-up exams.  If a student fails to pass the exam after three attempts the student shall be dropped from the graduate program.

5.  Other Advice:  In addition to the faculty mentor, students should seek advice from the graduate advisor and other History Department faculty about any aspect of their education.  

B.  Areas of Concentration, with Faculty Listing and Courses Offered

**Note:  Courses in each concentration are often taught by several different faculty members in the concentration.

Pre-Modern Europe/World (Ancient World to Early Modern Europe)

Faculty in Field	Courses Offered in Concentration	
Weigel 
Plummer
Keyser
Crowe-Carraco	605 Seminar in Ancient History
419G Tudor-Stuart England
606 Seminar in European Hist.
404G Ancient Egypt
407G The Crusades
590 Indiv. Study
463G Atlantic World	

Modern Europe (Enlightenment to the Present)

Faculty in Field	Courses Offered in Concentration	
Dietle
Thacker
Phillips
Reed
Crowe-Carraco	606 Seminar in European Hist.
527 Social/Intellectual History of Europe, 19th C
515 19th C. Britain
422G French Rev and Nap.
425G Modern Germany
426G Hitler and Nazi Germany
428G England since 1914
590 Indiv. Study

Non-Western World

Faculty in Field
Du
Eagle
McMichael
Romero	Courses Offered in Concentration
615 Seminar in Non-Western Hist
479G Topics in Third World
456G Mexican Republic
590 Indiv. Study
471G Modern China
464G Latin Am. and the US
472G Modern Japan
463G  Atlantic World	

Pre-Civil War US (Including Civil War)

Faculty in Field	Courses Offered in Concentration	
LaFantasie
McMichael
Hardin
Minter
Crowe-Carraco	505 Cultural Diversity in Am. Hist.
525 Soc./Intell. US Hist, 19th C
442G Jacksonian Era
619 US Diplomatic Relats
445G Am Legal Hist to 1865
622 US Borderlands/West
450G  US Diplomacy to 1898
630 Seminar in US Hist.
453G Am. Women’s Hist.
631 Seminar in KY Hist
456G  KY Hist.
440G Colonial America to 1776
456G Old South
441G Am Rev. and Early Am. Rep, 1776-1815
590 Indiv. Study
631 Seminar in KY Hist.
454 Hist. of Religion in America	

Post-Civil War US

Faculty in Field
Hardin
Minter
Browder
Harkins
Crowe-Carraco
LaFantasie	Courses Offered in Concentration
505 Cultural Diversity in Am. Hist
520 US 1900-1945
444G Gilded Age Am.
526 Soc./Intell. US Hist, 20th C.
446G Am. Legal Hist. since 1865
619 Seminar in US Diplomat. Relats.
449G Korea and Vietnam
622 US Borderlands/West
451G US Diplomat. Hist since 1898
630 Seminar in US Hist.
453G Am. Women’s Hist.
631 Seminar in KY Hist.
454G Hist. of Religion in America
443G Civil War and Reconst.
456G Kentucky Hist.
464G Latin Am. and the US
447G Am. Pop. Culture since 19th C.
590 Indiv. Study	

C.  History Department M.A. Candidate Deadlines/Checklist

If you are pursuing a terminal MA degree in history, you must meet the deadlines below.  All of the deadlines outlined below should be seen as last possible moment to complete the task mentioned.  You should do all these things as soon as you possibly can, so that you can complete requirements before your scheduled graduation.

Part I:  Instructions/Requirements for All Graduate Students

Before Beginning M.A. Program Coursework
•	Introduce yourself to the history department’s graduate advisor and get information on M.A. degree requirements.  
•	Begin to think about what area of history you would like to study and whether or not you intend to write a thesis.  
•	Introduce yourself in person or via email to faculty who teach and research in areas of history that interest you.  

After 12 Credit-Hours:  Fill out Program of Study Form (Form C).  Finalize it with the History Department’s graduate advisor and submit it to Graduate Studies.

By End of 18 Credit-Hours:  Select a field of concentration and a faculty mentor.  Meet with your mentor and the graduate advisor to develop a schedule of coursework necessary to fulfill your concentration.

By End of 21 credit hours: Complete Research Tool requirements and file Form D (Admission to Candidacy) with Graduate Studies.  

Part II:  Final Stages – Completing Your Degree

Non-Thesis Students: You must pass oral and written examinations covering your entire graduate program in order to be awarded an M.A. degree. Students may not sit for exams until completion of all requirements for the degree. 

•	Create an Exam Committee:  Select three faculty members to serve on your oral exam/thesis defense board.  It is your responsibility to arrange this – ask the graduate advisor for help.  At least two faculty members for the exam/defense board must be selected from your area of concentration.  Your faculty mentor will chair your exam committee.  Meet with all three members of your committee no later than six weeks before you plan to sit for your oral exams/thesis defense.  
•	Circulate a Bibliography:  Distribute to your exam board members a comprehensive bibliography of all historical works read during the course of your graduate study at WKU.  If exam board members feel there are deficiencies in your preparation as evidenced by the bibliography, they may require you to read more works before sitting for examinations
•	Meet with the Graduate Advisor to schedule your defense and discuss your exams at least two months before you would like to sit for your exams. 
•	Sit for the Written and Oral Exams:  Your written and oral exams will be scheduled as close together as possible.  Upon completion of the written and oral exams, the exam committee will assess the quality of the exams and determine whether or not to award the candidate an M.A. degree.

Thesis Students:  You must pass oral and written examinations covering your entire graduate program, including the thesis, in order to be awarded an MA degree. Students may not sit for the exams until completion of all requirements for the degree and until a draft of the thesis has been approved by the thesis committee. 

•	Choose a Faculty Mentor:  The student should choose a faculty member to mentor him/her during the thesis-writing process.  The student must consult with the faculty mentor to develop an appropriate thesis topic.  The faculty mentor must be a member of the Graduate Faculty and will serve as the student’s official thesis director.
•	Meet with your faculty mentor to set up a plan to complete background reading and then research and write a thesis.  
•	Meet with the graduate advisor to discuss your thesis plan.  
•	Form a Thesis Committee:  Working with the faculty mentor and the Graduate Advisor, the student should form a thesis committee.  The committee consists of three faculty members.  
•	Write a Thesis Proposal:  Before beginning work on the thesis itself, you will provide each member of the committee with a five-page thesis proposal which (a) indicates the nature and scope of the proposed topic and (b) indicates the major sources of research materials which will be used for the study. 
•	Defend Your Thesis Proposal:  You must meet with his/her thesis committee to defend his/her thesis proposal.  The student may not proceed with thesis work until the thesis proposal has been formally approved by the thesis committee.
•	Apply for Research Grant:  If you plan to travel outside Bowling Green for research, consider writing a research grant proposal – you can be awarded up to $750 in research money by the Graduate School.  
•	Once you begin work on your thesis (even in the reading and preparation stage), meet with your faculty mentor at least once a month to discuss your project.
•	Register for Thesis Hours:  You must register for History 599, Thesis Research (3 hours) and Thesis Writing (3 hours), no later than the semester in which you graduate. The grade for this course will be "Incomplete" until the thesis is accepted.
•	Follow a Strict Thesis Writing Process:  The thesis director will work closely you while you write each draft chapter of the thesis.  Each draft chapter should be approved by the thesis director as it is written.  Following approval by the thesis director, each draft chapter should be circulated to the entire committee for detailed criticism of form, content and method. Later drafts will also circulate if necessary.
•	Meet with the Graduate Advisor to schedule your defense and discuss your exams at least two months before you would like to sit for your exams
•	Circulate a Bibliography:  Distribute to your exam board members a comprehensive bibliography of all historical works read during the course of your graduate study at WKU.  If exam board members feel there are deficiencies in your preparation as evidenced by the bibliography, they may require you to read more works before sitting for examinations
•	Circulate a Completed Thesis Draft:  A complete draft of the thesis must circulated to all members of the committee at least 30 days before the written and oral examinations. If the steps outlined above have been followed, changes at this stage should be minor. 
•	Follow Style and Formatting Guidelines:  The thesis will follow the style guidelines of the most recent addition of the Chicago Manual of Style and the formatting guidelines set forth by the Graduate School and Potter College of Arts and Letters.. 
•	Sit for the Written and Oral Exams:  Your written and oral exams will be scheduled as close together as possible.  Upon completion of the written and oral exams, the exam committee will assess the quality of the exams and determine whether or not to award the candidate an M.A. degree.
•	Submit Thesis to Potter and Graduate Deans:  A copy of your completed thesis must be submitted to the Potter College Dean’s Office for review.  Three copies of the final thesis must be submitted to the Graduate Dean at least 3 weeks prior to the date of graduation.
•	Maintain Matriculation:  If you are not enrolled in graduate course work, you should enroll in 599c, Maintaining Matriculation, during any semester or summer term in which the thesis is being actively pursued or the degree is attained.