History, M.A.
Saint Louis University
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Why study history at SLU? Because everything has a history. The skills you are taught - to analyze, to reflect, and to study rich contexts - will prepare you for any future you might choose.
Saint Louis University's oldest academic unit offers degrees in more than 30 academic areas.
Saint Louis University graduate programs in history familiarize you with the richness of the thought, culture and society of the past. By studying the history of civilization, you’ll become acquainted with all fields in the humanities, as well as developments in other disciplines, such as law, medicine, business and technology.
The graduate program in history at Saint Louis University is one of the oldest in the country, granting its first Ph.D. in 1919.
Today, the tradition of excellence is continued by training students in a variety of historical fields.
In addition to the M.A. in History, Saint Louis University also offers a Ph.D. in History.
Masters students in history at SLU choose a specialized area of study from the following concentrations:
SLU's history program offers students internationally renowned faculty, an outstanding mentoring program and high-quality professional training.
The wide-ranging skills that a student learns in the course of doing a master’s in history can be used not only in teaching and archival work but in government, foreign affairs, business, the law, the arts and a host of other professions.
The ordinary prerequisite is a B.A. in history (or at least 18 credits of successful work in upper-division courses in history), though students from other fields with strong backgrounds in history will also receive consideration.
Proof of competency in one foreign language is required through a written examination administered by the department or successful completion of graduate translation courses.
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
Submit an application for the following fall semester by Jan. 15.
A standing graduate applicant review committee meets just after the expiration of the application deadline. The committee reviews each item of every complete application. The committee makes its applicant selections by the beginning of March.
For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, applicants should complete their applications by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award.
For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HIST 5000 | Theory & Practice of History: An Introduction | 3 |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| Select one of the following concentrations: | 12 | |
| Elective Courses Outside Concentration | ||
| Select from above areas or a maximum of 6 credits may be taken in academic fields other than history. | 9 | |
| Options | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 6 | |
| Thesis Option | ||
| Thesis Research | ||
| Non-Thesis Option | ||
Selected from Concentration listings | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HIST 5600 | Studies in American History | 3 |
| HIST 5610 | Advanced Studies in American History | 3 |
| HIST 5650 | Perspectives in American History | 3 |
| HIST 6840 | Seminar in American History | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HIST 5200 | Ancient & Byzantine History | 3 |
| HIST 5210 | Advanced Ancient & Byzantine History | 3 |
| HIST 6800 | Seminar in Ancient & Byzantine History | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HIST 5400 | Studies in Early Modern European History | 3 |
| HIST 5410 | Advanced Studies in Early Modern European History | 3 |
| HIST 5450 | Perspectives in Renaissance & Reformation History | 3 |
| HIST 6820 | Seminar: Early Modern European History | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HIST 5200 | Ancient & Byzantine History | 3 |
| HIST 5210 | Advanced Ancient & Byzantine History | 3 |
| HIST 5250 | Perspectives: Late Ancient and Byzantine History | 3 |
| HIST 6800 | Seminar in Ancient & Byzantine History | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HIST 5300 | Studies Medieval History | 3 |
| HIST 5310 | Advanced Studies in Medieval History | 3 |
| HIST 5350 | Perspectives in Medieval History | 3 |
| HIST 6810 | Seminar Medieval History | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HIST 5500 | Studies in Modern European History | 3 |
| HIST 5510 | Advanced Studies in Modern European History | 3 |
| HIST 5550 | Perspectives in Modern European History | 3 |
| HIST 6830 | Seminar in Modern European History | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HIST 5700 | Themes and Methods in World History | 3 |
| HIST 5710 | Advanced Studies in World History (taken over multiple semesters) | 6 |
| HIST 6870 | Research Seminar in World History | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 5000 | Theory & Practice of History: An Introduction (Required Course) | 3 |
| HIST 5600 | Studies in American History (Required Course) | 3 |
| HIST 5610 | Advanced Studies in American History | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 6840 | Seminar in American History (Required Course) | 3 |
| HIST 5700 | Themes and Methods in World History | 3 |
| Students must pass an exam or a class in one language | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 5610 | Advanced Studies in American History | 3 |
| HIST 5990 | Thesis Research | 6 |
| HIST 5500 | Studies in Modern European History | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 5990 | Thesis Research | 6 |
| HIST 6840 | Seminar in American History | 3 |
| Thesis defence or examination | ||
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Students must complete 30 hours.
Students must take a studies and a seminar class in American history plus a minimum of two other classes in American history. They must also take the theory and practice in history class.
Students who undertake the thesis option must write a 25,000 words minimum thesis which is defended before three examiners in an hourlong exam.
Students who do not undertake a thesis, take two additional classes and undertake a two-hour written examination and a one-hour oral examination before three examiners in their final term.
Students must meet with their advisor every term for discussion of their progress.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 5000 | Theory & Practice of History: An Introduction (Required Course) | 3 |
| HIST 5400 | Studies in Early Modern European History (Required Course) | 3 |
| HIST 5410 | Advanced Studies in Early Modern European History | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 6820 | Seminar: Early Modern European History | 3 |
| HIST 5300 | Studies Medieval History | 3 |
| Students must pass an exam or a class in one language | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 5410 | Advanced Studies in Early Modern European History | 3 |
| HIST 5990 | Thesis Research | 3 |
| HIST 5200 | Ancient & Byzantine History | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 5990 | Thesis Research | 3 |
| HIST 6820 | Seminar: Early Modern European History | 3 |
| Thesis defence or examination | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Students must complete thirty hours.
Students must take a studies and a seminar class in early modern history plus a minimum of two other classes in early modern history. They must also take the theory and practice in history class.
Students who undertake the thesis option must write a 25,000 words minimum thesis which is defended before three examiners in an hourlong exam.
Students who do not undertake a thesis, take two additional classes and undertake a two-hour written examination and a one-hour oral examination before three examiners in their final term.
Students must meet with their advisor every term for discussion of their progress.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 5000 | Theory & Practice of History: An Introduction (Required Course) | 3 |
| HIST 5200 | Ancient & Byzantine History (Required Course) | 3 |
| HIST 5710 | Advanced Studies in World History | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 6800 | Seminar in Ancient & Byzantine History (Required Course) | 3 |
| HIST 5300 | Studies Medieval History | 3 |
| Students must pass an exam or a class in one language, usually Greek or Latin | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Participation in/Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 5710 | Advanced Studies in World History | 3 |
| HIST 5990 | Thesis Research (or additional class) | 3 |
| HIST 5400 | Studies in Early Modern European History | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 5990 | Thesis Research (or additional class) | 3 |
| HIST 6800 | Seminar in Ancient & Byzantine History | 3 |
| Thesis defence or examination | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Students must complete thirty hours.
Students must take a studies and a seminar class in late antique/Byzantine history plus a minimum of two other classes in late antique/Byzantine history. They must also take the theory and practice in history class.
Students who undertake the thesis option must write a 25,000 words minimum thesis which is defended before three examiners in an hourlong exam.
Students who do not undertake a thesis, take two additional classes and undertake a two-hour written examination and a one-hour oral examination before three examiners in their final term.
Students must meet with their advisor every term for discussion of their progress.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 5000 | Theory & Practice of History: An Introduction (Required Course) | 3 |
| HIST 5300 | Studies Medieval History (Required Course) | 3 |
| HIST 5310 | Advanced Studies in Medieval History | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 6810 | Seminar Medieval History (Required Course) | 3 |
| HIST 5400 | Studies in Early Modern European History | 3 |
| Students must pass an exam or a class in one language, usually Latin | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 5310 | Advanced Studies in Medieval History | 3 |
| HIST 5990 | Thesis Research (or additional class) | 3 |
| HIST 5200 | Ancient & Byzantine History | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 5990 | Thesis Research (or additional class) | 3 |
| HIST 6810 | Seminar Medieval History | 3 |
| Thesis defence or examination | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Students must complete thirty hours.
Students must take a studies and a seminar class in medieval history plus a minimum of two other classes in medieval history. They must also take the theory and practice in history class.
Students who undertake the thesis option must write a 25,000 words minimum thesis which is defended before three examiners in an hourlong exam.
Students who do not undertake a thesis, take two additional classes and undertake a two-hour written examination and a one-hour oral examination before three examiners in their final term.
Students must meet with their advisor every term for discussion of their progress.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 5000 | Theory & Practice of History: An Introduction (Required Course) | 3 |
| HIST 5500 | Studies in Modern European History (Required Course) | 3 |
| HIST 5510 | Advanced Studies in Modern European History | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 6830 | Seminar in Modern European History (Required Course) | 3 |
| HIST 5400 | Studies in Early Modern European History | 3 |
| Students must pass an exam or a class in one language | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 5510 | Advanced Studies in Modern European History | 3 |
| HIST 5990 | Thesis Research (or additional class) | 3 |
| HIST 5600 | Studies in American History | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 5990 | Thesis Research (or additional class) | 3 |
| HIST 6830 | Seminar in Modern European History | 3 |
| Thesis defence or examination | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Students must complete thirty hours.
Students must take a studies and a seminar class in modern European history plus a minimum of two other classes in modern European history. They must also take the theory and practice in history class.
Students who undertake the thesis option must write a 25,000 words minimum thesis which is defended before three examiners in an hourlong exam.
Students who do not undertake a thesis, take two additional classes and undertake a two-hour written examination and a one-hour oral examination before three examiners in their final term.
Students must meet with their advisor every term for discussion of their progress.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 5000 | Theory & Practice of History: An Introduction (Required Course) | 3 |
| HIST 5700 | Themes and Methods in World History (Required Course) | 3 |
| HIST 5710 | Advanced Studies in World History | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 6870 | Research Seminar in World History (Required Course) | 3 |
| HIST 5400 | Studies in Early Modern European History | 3 |
| Students must pass an exam or a class in one language | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 5710 | Advanced Studies in World History | 3 |
| HIST 5990 | Thesis Research (or additional class) | 3 |
| HIST 5600 | Studies in American History | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events | ||
| HIST 5990 | Thesis Research (or additional class) | 3 |
| HIST 6870 | Research Seminar in World History | 3 |
| Thesis defence or examination | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Students must complete thirty hours.
Students must take a studies and a seminar class in world history plus a minimum of two other classes in world history. They must also take the theory and practice in history class.
Students who undertake the thesis option must write a 25,000 words minimum thesis which is defended before three examiners in an hourlong exam.
Students who do not undertake a thesis, take two additional classes and undertake a two-hour written examination and a one-hour oral examination before three examiners in their final term.
Students must meet with their advisor every term for discussion of their progress.