History, M.A.
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.
Program Highlights
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The graduate program in history at Saint Louis University is one of the oldest in the country, granting its first Ph.D. in 1919.
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Today, the tradition of excellence is continued by training students in a variety of historical fields.
- SLU's history program offers students internationally renowned faculty, an outstanding mentoring program and high-quality professional training.
In addition to the M.A. in history, Saint Louis University also offers a Ph.D. in history.
Curriculum Overview
Master's students in history at SLU choose a specialized area of study from the following concentrations:
- American
- Byzantine
- Early-Modern European
- Late Antique
- Medieval European
- Modern European
- World History
Fieldwork and Research Opportunities
SLU's history program offers students internationally renowned faculty, an outstanding mentoring program and high-quality professional training.
Careers
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.
Admission Requirements
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.
Language Requirements
Proof of competency in one foreign language is required through a written examination administered by the department or successful completion of graduate translation courses.
Application Procedures
- An official transcript of undergraduate record and, for applicants to the Ph.D. program, graduate record
- GRE scores
- A current resume
- Three letters of recommendation assessing potential in graduate studies
- A letter of intent describing professional and intellectual goals, and interest in graduate studies. The letter should include the specific field of historical study, a vision of how to contribute to existing research and criticism in an area of interest; and the SLU faculty members interested in working with. While plans may well change due to further study, the statement will help the department assess the grasp of the field and the ability to describe ideas coherently and compellingly.
- A 15- to 20-page writing sample which demonstrates competence in historical writing and analysis, and which may be an excerpt from a longer piece.
- Completed applications with all admission and financial aid materials must be received by Jan. 15. Students are not admitted in the spring or summer semester.
Requirements for International Students
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
- Financial documents are required to complete an application for admission and be reviewed for admission and merit scholarships.
- Proof of financial support that must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at Saint Louis University
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include:
- Courses taken and/or lectures attended
- Practical laboratory work
- The maximum and minimum grades attainable
- The grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations
- Any honors or degrees received.
WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Application and Assistantship Deadline
Submit an application for the following fall semester by Jan. 15.
Review Process
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.
Scholarships, Assistantships and Financial Aid
For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, apply 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 https://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.
- Graduates will be able to assess relevant literature or scholarly contributions in the field(s) of study.
- Graduates will be able to apply the major practices, theories, or research methodologies in the field(s) of study.
- Graduates will be able to apply knowledge from the field(s) of study to address problems in broader contexts.
- Graduates will be able to articulate arguments or explanations to both a disciplinary or professional audience and to a general audience, in both oral and written forms.
- Graduates will be able to evidence scholarly and/or professional integrity in the field of study.
| 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 | |
| Thesis or Non-Thesis Option | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 6 | |
| Thesis Research | ||
Six additional credits from Concentration listings | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
American Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HIST 5600 | Studies in American History | 3 |
| HIST 5610 | Advanced Studies in American History | 3 |
| HIST 6840 | Seminar in American History | 3 |
| Elective in American History | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Byzantine Concentration
| 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 |
| Elective in Byzantine History | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Early-Modern European Concentration
| 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 6820 | Seminar: Early Modern European History | 3 |
| Elective in Early Modern European History | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Late-Antique Concentration
| 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 |
| Elective in Late Antique History | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Medieval European Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HIST 5300 | Studies Medieval History | 3 |
| HIST 5310 | Advanced Studies in Medieval History | 3 |
| HIST 6810 | Seminar Medieval History | 3 |
| Elective in Medieval European History | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Modern European Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HIST 5500 | Studies in Modern European History | 3 |
| HIST 5510 | Advanced Studies in Modern European History | 3 |
| HIST 6830 | Seminar in Modern European History | 3 |
| Elective in Modern European History | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
World History Concentration
| 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 |
| Elective in World History | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Non-Course Requirements
- Competency in one foreign language, to be verified by written examination.
- A two-hour written comprehensive exam and a one-hour oral exam for the M.A.; a one-hour oral thesis presentation for M.A. research. (For students continuing on to the Ph.D., no exam or thesis is necessary.)
Continuation Standards
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.
American History Concentration
| 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 | |
Program Notes
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.
Early-Modern European Concentration
| 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 | |
Program Notes
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.
Late-Antique and Byzantine Concentration
| 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 | |
Program Notes
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.
Medieval European Concentration
| 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 | |
Program Notes
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.
Modern European Concentration
| 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 | |
Program Notes
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.
World History Concentration
| 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 | |
Program Notes
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.
For more information about our program, please contact:
Nathaniel Millett, Ph.D.
Director of Graduate Admissions, Department of History
nathaniel.millett@slu.edu