Program: History - General History Concentration, MA - Appalachian State University

Jul 08, 2025

2023-2024 Graduate Bulletin

Program Code: MA_255B
CIP Code: 54.0101

Program of Study for the Master of Arts in History

Admission Requirements: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; complete application to the Graduate School ; official general GRE exam scores, unless waived; cover letter stating reasons that the applicant wishes to enter the program in history; sample of written work such as a research paper.

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the criteria for admission to the Graduate School . Meeting this condition does not guarantee admission.

Standardized Exam Waiver Eligibility: The standardized exam (GRE) is waived for applicants with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Location: On Campus

Additional Standardized Exam Waiver Eligibility Information

Standardized exam (GRE, GMAT, MAT) waiver eligibility for graduate degree programs at Appalachian State varies by program. No exam waiver is automatic and an approved waiver request does not guarantee acceptance into the program. A denied waiver request does not mean that a candidate is denied admission to the program, only that a standardized exam score is needed to more fully evaluate the application. More complete information about standardized exam waivers can be found in the Admissions Requirements section of this Bulletin .

Accelerated Master’s Program

This program offers an Accelerated Master’s option for undergraduate students currently enrolled at Appalachian State University.

Course Requirements for the Master of Arts in History

Total Required (Minimum 30 Hours with Thesis; 36 Hours without Thesis)

Required Course (3 Hours)

HIS 5000 - Varieties and Methodologies of History (3)

Thesis Options (27 or 33 Hours)

Choose One:

Thesis Option

HIS 5998 - Thesis Research (1-9)
HIS 5999 - Thesis (1-9)
9 hours of graduate electives: may be satisfied by enrolling in other History courses or in up to 6 hours of relevant courses in other departments with advice and approval of the advisor.

Choose at Least 6 Hours from the Research Seminars

Choose at Least 6 Hours from the Readings Seminars

Non-Thesis Option

15 hours of graduate electives: may be satisfied by enrolling in other History courses or in up to 6 hours of relevant courses in other departments with advice and approval of the advisor.

Choose at Least 9 Hours from the Research Seminars

Choose at Least 9 Hours from the Readings Seminars

Other Requirements for the MA in History

Thesis: Optional
Proficiency: Required for General History Concentration only. Students must demonstrate a reading knowledge of a foreign language by either taking the necessary courses for credit and earning a C or above in each course, or passing the exam administered by the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.
Candidacy: Required for thesis students only; awarded upon approval of thesis committee and prospectus
Comprehensive: A written comprehensive examination is required by the end of the third semester of course work for thesis students, and by the end of the fourth semester of coursework for non-thesis students.
Product of Learning: Required for Teaching Concentration only.