HSTRY-MA - History (MA)

Coterminal Master's Program in History

The department each year admits a limited number of undergraduates for coterminal M.A. degree in History. Coterminal applications are accepted during Autumn Quarter for admission in Spring Quarter. Applicants are responsible for checking their compliance with University coterminal requirements listed in the "Coterminal Master's Degrees" section of this bulletin.

Admission

Applicants must meet the same general standards as those seeking admission to the M.A. program. Students must submit the Coterminal Online Application, including a written statement of purpose, a transcript, GRE test scores, and three letters of recommendation, at least two of which should be from members of the Department of History faculty. To be competitive, coterminal applicants should have a 3.75 GPA in their undergraduate history major (or equivalent if they are entering without a History major.) The decision on admission rests with the department faculty upon recommendation by the graduate admissions committee.

Students must meet all requirements for both degrees. They must complete 15 full-time quarters (or the equivalent), or three full-time quarters after completing 180 units, for a total of 225 units. During the senior year they may, with the consent of the instructors, register for as many as two graduate courses. In the final year of study, they must complete at least three courses that fall within a single Ph.D. field.

The application filing deadline is December 6, 2022.

The coterminal M.A. program is not declarable on Axess.

University Coterminal Requirements

Coterminal master’s degree candidates are expected to complete all master’s degree requirements as described in this bulletin. University requirements for the coterminal master’s degree are described in the “Coterminal Master’s Program” section. University requirements for the master’s degree are described in the "Graduate Degrees" section of this bulletin.

After accepting admission to this coterminal master’s degree program, students may request transfer of courses from the undergraduate to the graduate career to satisfy requirements for the master’s degree. Transfer of courses to the graduate career requires review and approval of both the undergraduate and graduate programs on a case by case basis.

In this master’s program, courses taken during or after the first quarter of the sophomore year are eligible for consideration for transfer to the graduate career; the timing of the first graduate quarter is not a factor. No courses taken prior to the first quarter of the sophomore year may be used to meet master’s degree requirements.

Course transfers are not possible after the bachelor’s degree has been conferred.

The University requires that the graduate advisor be assigned in the student’s first graduate quarter even though the undergraduate career may still be open. The University also requires that the Master’s Degree Program Proposal be completed by the student and approved by the department by the end of the student’s first graduate quarter.

Terminal M.A. Program

Applicants who do not wish to continue beyond the M.A. degree are admitted to this program at the discretion of the faculty in individual fields (U.S., modern Europe, and so on). Students admitted may not apply to enter the Ph.D. program in History during the course of work for the M.A. degree.

M.A. in Teaching (History)

The department cooperates with the School of Education in offering the Master of Arts in Teaching degree. For the general requirements, see the "Graduate School of Education" section of this bulletin. For certain additional requirements made by the Department of History, contact the department office. Candidates must possess a teaching credential or relevant teaching experience.

Admission

Applicants for admission to graduate work must take the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination. It may be taken at most American colleges and in nearly all foreign countries. For details, see the Graduate Admissions web site.

Students admitted to graduate standing do not automatically become candidates for a graduate degree. With the exception of students in the terminal M.A. program, they are admitted with the expectation that they will be working toward the Ph.D. degree and may become candidates to receive the M.A. degree after completing three quarters of work.

The application filing deadline is December 6, 2022.

Per GAP 3.2.1 Residency Policy for Graduate Students, no external units may be transferred to the History M.A. All coursework for the M.A. must be completed at Stanford.

After accepting admission to this coterminal master’s degree program, students may request transfer of courses from the undergraduate to the graduate career to satisfy requirements for the master’s degree. Transfer of courses to the graduate career requires review and approval of both the undergraduate and graduate programs on a case by case basis.

In this master’s program, courses taken during or after the first quarter of the sophomore year are eligible for consideration for transfer to the graduate career; the timing of the first graduate quarter is not a factor. No courses taken prior to the first quarter of the sophomore year may be used to meet master’s degree requirements.

Course transfers are not possible after the bachelor’s degree has been conferred.

The Department of History is committed to providing academic advising in support of graduate student scholarly and professional development. When most effective, this advising relationship entails collaborative and sustained engagement by both the advisor and the advisee. As a best practice, advising expectations should be periodically discussed and reviewed to ensure mutual understanding. Both the advisor and the advisee are expected to maintain professionalism and integrity.

Faculty advisors guide students in key areas such as selecting courses, designing and conducting research, developing of teaching pedagogy, navigating policies and degree requirements, and exploring academic opportunities and professional pathways.

Graduate students are active contributors to the advising relationship, proactively seeking academic and professional guidance and taking responsibility for informing themselves of policies and degree requirements for their graduate program.

Upon enrolling, all students plan their work under the direction of a faculty member designated by the Department as their advisor. Entering students should meet with their advisor to discuss the selection of courses, choice of major and secondary fields, and the overall plan of their graduate programs. Faculty advisors and graduate student advisees meet at least once a quarter to assess the advisee’s course of study, performance over the past quarter, and plans for the next quarter’s program of study. Students should consult with their advisors on all academic matters. Faculty should help their advisees plan for orals, research grant applications, research projects, and the dissertation. Until a student is advanced to candidacy, the Director of Graduate Studies reviews the student's quarterly transcript and the advisor's evaluation. 

Normally the original advisor remains in this capacity during a student’s period of graduate study. However, in the event that a student wishes to change the admitting advisor, they may do so after consultation with and approval of the two faculty members involved. The necessary forms are available from the Graduate Program Coordinator.

The Director of Graduate Studies supervises the Graduate Program in the Department. The Director’s duties include approving the committees for the University oral examination, dissertation prospectus, and dissertation, certifying graduate students’ progress to degree and completion of University and Departmental requirements, and chairing the Department’s Committee on Graduate Studies.

For a statement of University policy on graduate advising, see the "Graduate Advising" section of this bulletin.

The purpose of the master's program is to further develop knowledge and skills in History and to prepare students for a professional career or doctoral studies. This is achieved through completion of courses, in the primary field as well as related areas, and experience with independent work and specialization.