This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 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:
- Develop the ability to understand the processes and methodologies historians use to study the past
- Develop the ability to understand and think critically about scholarly works of history
- Develop the ability to do historical research and present interpretations in writing
- Develop the ability to understand the myriad of forces that shape human experiences and critically weigh change and continuity over time
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 are required to complete course work in core and elective courses and to conduct significant research.
- The Master of Arts in History may be achieved through one of two options:
- The thesis option requires 30 graduate credit hours with six credit hours of HIST 698.
- The non-thesis option requires 36 graduate credit hours with a minimum of six credits in research-level courses and an oral comprehensive exam.
- At least half of the credit hours presented for graduation must be at the 600 level or higher.
- 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 in no case shall 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 698 | M.A. Thesis | 6 |
| Electives | ||
| Select seven of the following: 1 | 21 | |
| 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 | ||
| Public History: Theory and Practice | ||
| 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 2 | ||
or HIST 693 | Internship in History | |
| Exploring Historical Consciousness | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
With prior approval, a student may take up to six graduate credit hours from outside of the history department.
Six credits maximum allowed for independent study or internship.
The minimum total of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 30.
Non-thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required course | ||
| HIST 601 | Historiography and Methodology | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select two research courses of the following: | 6 | |
| 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 | ||
| Select nine of the following: 1 | 27 | |
| 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 | ||
| Public History: Theory and Practice | ||
| Documentary Editing and Scholarly Publishing | ||
| American Material Culture | ||
| Oral History: Theory and Practice | ||
| Digital History | ||
| Controversy in Public History | ||
| Museums, Cultures and Communities: Historical Perspectives | ||
| Special Topics in History | ||
| Independent Study 2 | ||
or HIST 693 | Internship in History | |
| Exploring Historical Consciousness | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
With prior approval, a student may take up to six graduate credit hours from outside of the history department.
Six credits maximum allowed for independent study or internship.
The minimum total of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 36.
Contact
Emilie E. Raymond, Ph.D.
Professor and graduate program director
eeraymond@vcu.edu
(804) 828-1635
Program website: history.vcu.edu