Courses of Study: M.A. in History

Thesis Plan | Course Intensive Plan | Public History Plan

Thesis Plan Requirements

Students must meet all requirements of the School of Graduate Studies and show a reading knowledge of a foreign language when deemed necessary for thesis research as determined by their thesis advisor. Students take HST 7000 (Historical Methods) and select two fields of concentration. Each field of concentration will have a minimum of 12 hours of course work, with a minimum of two 7000-level courses. Near the end of their studies, and after submitting a prospectus approved by the student's thesis committee, students will register for 3-6 hours of HST 7950 (thesis). HST 7950 will conclude with an oral defense of the thesis before a panel of three professors, chaired by the thesis advisor. Students may petition the graduate studies committee to grant exceptions to field of concentration.

Possible fields of concentration are as follows:
1. United States to 1877
2. United States since 1877
3. Ancient World and Europe to 1600
4. Europe since 1600
5. War & Society

Summary of Courses Required

History Courses Numbered 7000-7460 12 (minimum)
History Courses Numbered 6000-6870 12
History 7950 Thesis 3-6

Total 30-33

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Course Intensive Plan Requirements

Students must meet all requirements of the School of Graduate Studies. Besides the required HST 7000 (Historical Methods), students select two fields of concentration (see above), for a total of 24 hours. There must be a minimum of 12 hours in each field of concentration; there should be a minimum of 6 hours of 7000-level courses in each field of concentration. Students must seek the consent of a graduate director before taking course work outside their fields of concentration. Students may petition the graduate studies committee to grant exceptions to field of concentration. The student will present a research paper to the graduate studies committee for approval in the final semester of enrollment. The research paper will demonstrate the student's ability to work with primary and secondary historical sources, and to master academic writing, using notes and bibliography according to departmental standards.

Summary of Courses Required
History Courses Numbered 7000-7460 12 (minimum)
History Courses Numbered 6000-6870 12

Total 33

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Public History Plan Requirements

The Public History Plan Program at Wright State University integrates a traditional American history curriculum with courses taught by professionals in archives, museum studies, and historic preservation; an internship; and a project leading to a Master of Arts degree in history with a specialization in public history.

Required Academic Core Courses (12 credits)

Public Historians apply their skills and knowledge outside of academic or classroom settings. Public History students are required to complete 6 hours of seminar (HST 7100- 7830), Historical Methods (HST 7000) and either an additional seminar or one 6000-level course. One seminar or 6000-level course may by in non-U.S. History.

Required Public History Courses (11 credits)

Public history students must complete the following core requirements:
HST 7500 Introduction to Public History 3
HST 7600 Introduction to Archives and Manuscripts 3
HST 7650 Introduction to Museum Administration and Collections 3
HST 7810 Public History Internship 1
HST 7900 Capstone Project 1

Advanced Public History Course Requirements (6 credits)

Students may choose breadth over specialization by taking three credits each in Museum Studies and Archives and Records Management. Students will also have the option to specialize and take six advanced credit hours in either Archives or Museum Studies.

HST 7700 Research in Local History 3

HST 7750 Museum Interpretation and Exhibits 3
HST 7800 Advanced Archives 3

HST 7810 Records and Information Management 3
HST 7850 Archival Preservation 3

Electives 9

Students may select from additional public history or academic history courses including the following Public History electives. With the approval of the Public History Program director, students may take courses in an outside discipline such as art, anthropology, urban and geography, English, education, and business.

HST 7860 Historic Preservation 3

HST 7820 Practica: Archives and Museums 1-2
HST 7830 Special Topics in Public History 3

Total 38