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

Applications will be considered for fall or spring admissions only. Please see www.calstateapply.edu for application information, including deadlines, and for submission of an application. Please note that acceptance into the university does not guarantee admittance to the department. Departmental admission requirements are in addition to the University requirements .

Departmental Admission Requirements

I. Admission requirements for applicants with a 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. 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.