THE MASTER OF ARTS PROGRAM IN HISTORY

 The Master of Arts in History imparts to students an understanding of the complexity of human interaction, a sense of the uniqueness of time and place, and the skill to develop a reasoned interpretation of past peoples and events.

 The program offers specializations in United States history, modern European history, or comparative history.  Students can utilize a number of important archival collections.   The Gilcrease Museum offers substantial holdings in the history of the American West.  The Truman, Eisenhower, Johnson, Bush, and Clinton Presidential Libraries with their vast holdings are all within driving distance from the University of Tulsa offering students an unparalleled opportunity to study recent American history.

               There are four tracks available for the MA in History:

    ·         Track 1, Predoctoral is for students whose final goal is a Ph.D.

    ·         Track 2, Enrichment is for students wanting an intellectual challenge or professional credential.

    ·         Track 3, Joint Program in Education and History is for students wanting to develop their historical understanding while working for a M.A. in Teaching.

    ·         Track 4, Joint Program in Law and History is for students who want to pursue historical studies at the same time that they attend law school. 

Combined BA/MA Program

The combined BA/MA program enables highly motivated students to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in five years. The combined program requires the same number of credits and level of work as the currently BA and MA (thesis option) degree programs. As a result, only students who enter TU with an IB diploma or as least 24 credit hours of AP credit can reasonably be expected to complete both degrees in five years. All students admitted to the combined BA/MA program will write a master's thesis as part of their program of study.

The typical student will apply for admission to the combined program in his or her junior year. In addition to submission of a graduate school application, transcripts, three letters of recommendation and GRE scores, applicants to the combined BA/MA program in History must have the following:

    1. a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5

    2. a writing sample (a paper from a history class)

    3. a statement of purpose which clearly outlines the student's research interests and why he or she wants to pursue the combined programs

    4. two of the three letters of recommendation must be from History faculty and one must be from a professor who will work with the student

    5. successful completion of History 3903, "Thinking and Writing as a Historian"

Students interested in the combined BA/MA degree program should contact the Graduate Advisor or any faculty member of the History Department to find out more about the program.

Student Guidelines for Master's Thesis

Master’s students interested in researching and writing a thesis need to follow the steps listed below for the successful completion of the master’s degree.  The points highlighted in bold are Graduate School requirements and must be fulfilled in order to graduate.  For full time students, steps one through five should occur during the first year of the program.  Part time students should follow all of the steps but in a more gradual manner.

1. Identify a research area and a faculty member willing to supervise a thesis on this topic.  This person will then become your faculty thesis advisor. 

2. In conjunction with the faculty thesis advisor, a student will put together a thesis proposal which should include:

a. explanation of the topic to be explored

b. preliminary bibliography

c. identification of the chief primary sources to be used

3. After the completion of the thesis proposal, the student and faculty thesis advisor will select a thesis committee consisting of the faculty advisor and two other faculty members.  According to the Graduate School, one person on the committee should be outside the department.  If it proves impossible to find such a person, a member of the department from a significantly different area can be selected.

4. Once the committee has been formed, the Graduate School must be notified and approve the committee selection.  This should occur at the beginning of the project not upon its completion.  The petition of approval form can be obtained from the Director of Graduate Studies.  It is up to the faculty advisor to notify the Graduate School, but it is important for students to make sure that the petition has been filed either by asking their advisor or checking directly with the Graduate School.

5. After the completion of the prospectus and the formation of the thesis committee, the student should begin work and conduct whatever outside research trips may be necessary. 

6. All students should work closely with their advisor and the other committee members, keeping them informed of their progress and providing them with draft chapters of their thesis in a timely fashion.

7. A complete draft of the thesis should be ready by March 1 for a May graduation, November 1 for a December graduation, and June 15 for a summer graduation.  At that time, the student should consult with the committee to set up a thesis defense date.

8. Once a defense date has been set, the Graduate School must be informed and approve of the defense.  This notification should be sent to the Graduate School no later than two weeks before the actual date of the defense.  Make sure that your thesis advisor has sent the petition by asking them directly or contacting the Graduate School.    

9. After the defense, the student should revise the thesis based upon the committee’s recommendations.  At that point, the student should also consult the Graduate School’s requirements for the submission of a thesis.  A student’s thesis will not be accepted unless all of the Graduate School’s requirements are met.  Students should allow the Graduate School seventy-two hours to read and approve a thesis.

10. The student must turn the thesis into McFarlin Library on the following dates:

a. April 15 for a May graduation

b. December 1 for a December graduation

c. last day of summer classes of an August graduation 

History web page

History Faculty

Director of Graduate Studies: Professor Christine Ruane

Students who wish to schedule an appointment or discuss any questions they might have can contact Professor Ruane.  Her addresses are: Prof. Christine Ruane, Department of History, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104, and christine-ruane@utulsa.edu.  Her phone number is (918) 631-3841.