This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2025-2026 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
Program goals
The master’s program in history draws on faculty expertise and the wealth of historical resources available in the Richmond area to support the extended exploration of the human past and the craft of history. It prepares students for the successful practice of historical scholarship in a variety of fields including archives, libraries, historical sites, museums, government agencies, businesses, publishing and secondary education, as well as for advanced study in doctoral programs.
Student learning outcomes
Graduates of the program will:
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Develop the ability to analyze and evaluate the processes and methodologies historians use to study the past
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Develop the ability to think critically about scholarly works of history
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Develop the ability to conduct investigative research and present interpretations orally and in writing
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Develop the ability to understand the multitude of forces that shape the human experience and critically evaluate change and continuity over time
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Develop the ability to combine a rigorous research program with real-world experiential learning
VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs
The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.
It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the Graduate School website and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.
Degree candidacy requirements
A graduate student admitted to a program or concentration requiring a final research project, work of art, thesis or dissertation, must qualify for continuing master’s or doctoral status according to the degree candidacy requirements of the student’s graduate program. Admission to degree candidacy, if applicable, is a formal statement by the graduate student’s faculty regarding the student’s academic achievements and the student’s readiness to proceed to the final research phase of the degree program.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following degree candidacy policy as published in the VCU Graduate Bulletin for complete information and instructions.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on degree candidacy requirements.
Graduation requirements
As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following graduation requirements as published in the Graduate Bulletin for a complete list of instructions and a graduation checklist.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on graduation requirements.
Admission requirements
| Degree: | Semester(s) of entry: | Deadline dates: | Test requirements: |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.A. | Fall | Jul 1 | GRE |
| Spring | Dec 1 |
In addition to the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School, the following requirements represent the minimum acceptable standards for admission:
- Normally, 30 credit hours of undergraduate history courses, of which 18 credit hours should be at the upper-division level
- A GPA indicative of the ability to successfully pursue a graduate degree
- Three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to provide information concerning the applicant’s probable success in graduate school
- Satisfactory completion of the Graduate Record Examination
- Submission of a written statement of intent, indicating why the applicant wishes to pursue a graduate degree in history
The submission of a writing sample, demonstrating the applicant’s writing ability and research skills, is strongly encouraged.
Degree requirements
In addition to general VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, students in the Master of Arts in History program are required to complete 30 credit hours of course work in core and elective courses and to conduct significant research.
- All students must complete 15 credit hours of core required courses.
- Students may select one of two options below to earn the M.A. in History degree.
- The thesis option requires students complete:
- The program’s core required courses,
- six credit hours of HIST 698,
- three course electives of three credits each (nine credit hours total), and
- a thesis defense.
- The non-thesis option requires students complete:
- The program’s core required courses,
- three credit hours of a research-level course,
- four course electives, and
- an oral comprehensive exam.
- The thesis option requires students complete:
- At least half of the credit hours presented for graduation must be at the 600-level or higher.
- To satisfy elective course requirements, students may take up to six credits of non-history electives from an approved list of elective courses. In addition, students who wish to pursue specific areas of study may, with the approval of the graduate director, substitute other courses when appropriate, but will not be able to count more than six credit hours of non-history courses.
Curriculum requirements
Thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses | ||
| HIST 601 | Historiography and Methodology | 3 |
| HIST 610 | Readings in History | 3 |
| HIST 630 | Historical Research and Writing | 3 |
| HIST 651 | Public History: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| HIST 693 | Internship in History | 3 |
| Additional course | ||
| HIST 698 | M.A. Thesis | 1-6 |
| Electives | ||
| Select courses from the list below. | 9 | |
| Studies in American History | ||
| Studies in European History | ||
| Studies in Ethnic and Social History | ||
| Studies in Virginia and Southern History | ||
| Studies in African-American History | ||
| Special Topics in History | ||
| Readings in American History | ||
| Readings in European History | ||
| Readings in Transatlantic History | ||
| Readings in Ethnic and Social History | ||
| Readings in Virginia and Southern History | ||
| Readings in African-American History | ||
| Research in American History | ||
| Research in European History | ||
| Research in Transatlantic History | ||
| Research in Ethnic and Social History | ||
| Research in Virginia and Southern History | ||
| Research in African-American History | ||
| American Material Culture | ||
| Oral History: Theory and Practice | ||
| Digital History | ||
| Museums, Cultures and Communities: Historical Perspectives | ||
| Controversy in Public History | ||
| Special Topics in History | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Exploring Historical Consciousness | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
The minimum total of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 30.
Non-thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses | ||
| HIST 601 | Historiography and Methodology | 3 |
| HIST 610 | Readings in History | 3 |
| HIST 630 | Historical Research and Writing | 3 |
| HIST 651 | Public History: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| HIST 693 | Internship in History | 3 |
| Additional course | ||
| Select one course from the list below. | 3 | |
| Research in American History | ||
| Research in European History | ||
| Research in Transatlantic History | ||
| Research in Ethnic and Social History | ||
| Research in Virginia and Southern History | ||
| Research in African-American History | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select courses from the list below. | 12 | |
| Studies in American History | ||
| Studies in European History | ||
| Studies in Ethnic and Social History | ||
| Studies in Virginia and Southern History | ||
| Studies in African-American History | ||
| Special Topics in History | ||
| Readings in American History | ||
| Readings in European History | ||
| Readings in Transatlantic History | ||
| Readings in Ethnic and Social History | ||
| Readings in Virginia and Southern History | ||
| Readings in African-American History | ||
| Research in American History | ||
| Research in European History | ||
| Research in Transatlantic History | ||
| Research in Ethnic and Social History | ||
| Research in Virginia and Southern History | ||
| Research in African-American History | ||
| Documentary Editing and Scholarly Publishing | ||
| American Material Culture | ||
| Oral History: Theory and Practice | ||
| Digital History | ||
| Museums, Cultures and Communities: Historical Perspectives | ||
| Controversy in Public History | ||
| Special Topics in History | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Exploring Historical Consciousness | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
The minimum total of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 30.
Accelerated opportunities
The department offers opportunities for qualified undergraduate students to earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. See the individual concentration pages in the Undergraduate Bulletin for details.
Contact
Kathryn "KT" Shively, Ph.D.
Associate professor and graduate program director
kmeier@vcu.edu
Program website: history.vcu.edu