The faculty of the History Department at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville seeks to prepare their students for a range of careers in the profession of history, historical preservation, public history, and teaching. We emphasize methods of historical research and approaches that transcend national boundaries and privilege a global approach. This degree program offers two MA options—thesis and coursework only with comprehensive exam. For students continuing to the PhD program, the dissertation is required. For students who have no current plans to continue for the doctorate, we also offer a terminal MA. There is no foreign language requirement for the terminal MA.

Students select a major field to study from among United States, Premodern Europe, Modern Europe and Asia.

The MA program can typically be completed in two years. The Graduate School allows six calendar years to complete the degree, starting at the beginning of the semester of the first graduate course counted toward the degree.

Options Available

Thesis
Coursework Only with Comprehensive Exam

Campus Code

Knoxville Campus

Admissions Standards/Procedures

• Successful completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, preferably with a major in history.
• Acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Examination (general).

Academic Standards

• A 3.00 overall graduate grade point average is required to remain in good standing.
• MA students must complete the MA examination requirements no later than the semester following the completion of 30 graduate credit hours.
  • A student who fails the MA examination must repeat the examination no later than the following semester.
  • A student who fails the examination a second time or does not take the examination when required will be dropped from the graduate program.
    • Thesis students will sit for a two-hour oral examination that will cover the thesis and the major field.
    • Students not completing a thesis will sit for a written examination in their major field.

Credit Hours Required

30 graduate credit hours

Thesis Option

Required Courses

• 24 credit hours of graduate coursework:
  • Complete HIST 510  and a 600-level research seminar normally during the fall and spring semesters of the first year in the graduate program.
  • As many as 9 related graduate credit hours may be taken outside the department. Common subject areas include, but are not limited to, courses in MFLL and ANTH. Courses are chosen in consultation with the major advisor.
  • As many as 9 graduate credit hours taken elsewhere may be applied toward the MA degree.
  • Except by prior approval of the Director of Graduate Studies in History, a student’s coursework must be at the 500-level or above.
• HIST 500  (6 credit hours)

Non-Course Requirements

• Thesis students are required to select one MA field and write a thesis. MA fields are:
  • United States.
  • Premodern Europe.
  • Modern Europe.
  • Asia.
• The MA thesis is at least 50 pages in length, plus notes and bibliography, on a topic chosen under the direction of their advisor, and in a two-hour oral examination.

Course Only with Comprehensive Exam Option

Required Courses

• 30 credit hours of graduate coursework:
  • Complete HIST 510  and a 600-level research seminar normally during the fall and spring semesters of the first year in the graduate program.
  • At least 12 graduate credit hours must be taken in one MA field:
    • United States (colonial to present)
    • Premodern Europe
    • Modern Europe
    • Asia
  • As many as 9 related graduate credit hours may be taken outside the department. Common subject areas include, but are not limited to, courses in MFLL and ANTH. Courses are chosen in consultation with the major advisor.
  • As many as 9 graduate credit hours taken elsewhere may be applied toward the MA degree.
  • Except by prior approval of the Director of Graduate Studies in History, a student’s coursework must be at the 500-level or above.

Non-Course Requirements

• The primary field will be examined by a written exam, which is graded pass/fail