The Master of Arts degree in History is designed for the attainment of a liberal-arts education appropriate to careers in such professions as law, journalism, business, government service, and librarianship, as well as preparation for teaching and further graduate study.
The program requires intensive study involving courses, seminars, and directed reading in preparation for comprehensive examinations and an optional thesis.
Admission to the Program
Application must be made both to the Department of History and the University. See www.csumentor.edu for admission materials and submission of application. See department office or website (http://www.calstatela.edu/academic/history) for department application material. Please note that acceptance into the university does not guarantee admittance to the department.
Departmental Admission Requirements
All applicants must submit two letters of recommendation. At least one letter must come from a professor or an individual capable of evaluating the applicant’s qualifications for graduate study.
All applicants must also submit a statement of purpose essay, 500-750 words in length, stating the applicant’s purpose in applying for graduate study, any special areas of interest, plans for future occupation or profession and any additional information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating the applicant’s preparation and aptitude for graduate study at Cal State LA.
Applications will be considered for fall or spring admissions only. Please see www.csumentor.edu for University application deadlines, and the History Department website (http://www.calstatela.edu/academic/history) for department application deadlines.
Admission to the department will be based on evaluation of the letters of recommendation and statement of purpose, as well as the following requirements:
I. Additional admission requirements for applicants with history major baccalaureates.
- In addition to university requirements for admission to graduate study, to be considered for departmental admission, applicants must have a grade point average in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units of 3.00 or better. Applicants with GPAs between 2.75 and 3.00 may be admitted at the discretion of the department’s graduate admissions committee after completing prerequisite or qualifying courses, if necessary, with a minimum grade of B (3.0) in each prerequisite or qualifying course.
- Applicants who have not passed HIST 3080 and HIST 3090 or their equivalent in another accredited college or university will be required to complete those classes with a minimum grade of B (3.0) prior to admittance.
II. Additional admission requirements for applicants with a baccalaureate in a major other than history.
- In addition to university requirements for admission to graduate study, to be considered for departmental admission applicants must have a grade point average in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units of 3.0 or better in the coursework of their major field. Applicants with GPAs between 2.75 and 3.00 may be admitted at the discretion of the department’s graduate admissions committee after completing prerequisite or qualifying courses, if necessary, with a minimum grade of B (3 .0) in each prerequisite or qualifying course.
- Applicants with a baccalaureate in a major other than history must also complete 15-21 units of approved upper division history courses with a minimum grade of B (3.0) in each course, including HIST 3080 and HIST 3090, before admission into the program.
Foreign Languages
Students writing a thesis, particularly in a non-U.S. field, may be required to have competency in one or more foreign languages to complete the thesis. The history department strongly recommends that all its M.A. students learn a foreign language, especially those planning to pursue a PhD. Such students should speak with their field advisors as early as possible about foreign language competency requirements for PhD. Programs.
