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.

• 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.

• 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

Masters 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

Standardized test scores are considered as well as GPA and English proficiency (if applicable). Each item in the application package is required for an applicant to be reviewed.

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
• Recent GRE scores (the GRE Subject Test is not required). Scores need to be received by the application dates listed below.
• 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 interested in; 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 as a result of further study, the statement will help the department to 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 materials for admission and financial aid 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 along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the 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 study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the 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, and 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, 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.

1. Graduates will be able to assess relevant literature or scholarly contributions in the field(s) of study.
2. Graduates will be able to apply the major practices, theories, or research methodologies in the field(s) of study.
3. Graduates will be able to apply knowledge from the field(s) of study to address problems in broader contexts.
4. 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.
5. Graduates will be able to evidence scholarly and/or professional integrity in the field of study.

American Concentration

Byzantine Concentration

Early Modern European Concentration

Late Antique Concentration

Medieval European Concentration

Modern European Concentration

World History Concentration

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

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

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-Antiquity and Byzantine Concentration

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

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

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

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:

Jennifer Popiel, Ph.D.
Director of Graduate Admissions, Department of History
jennifer.popiel@slu.edu