Program Overview
The History at University of Massachusetts Boston is a MA programme in Humanities over 24 months, delivered Hybrid. This programme equips graduates with advanced knowledge and practical skills for professional and academic careers in the field.
Students gain a rigorous grounding in both the theoretical foundations and applied dimensions of humanities. The programme combines coursework, research components, and practical projects that develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and specialist expertise relevant to industry and research needs.
Graduates of the History programme are well-prepared for careers in academia, industry, government, and the private sector across United States and internationally. The programme provides an internationally recognised qualification within the Bologna higher education framework.
Key Program Features
- Duration: 24 months
- Language of instruction: English
- Study mode: Hybrid
- English requirement: IELTS 6.5
- Tuition: USD 31,425 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; USD 16,115 (Tuition (Year)) — National students
- Location: Boston, United States, United States
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the History programme are prepared for diverse careers in humanities:
- Researcher / Academic
- Cultural Programme Manager
- Editor / Writer
- Translator / Interpreter
- Museum Curator
- Communications Specialist
Program Curriculum
For those writing a Thesis:
- HIST 600: Research and Methods
- HIST 605: Introduction to Historiography
- HIST 690: Final Project Prep (Students should have at least 18 credits before taking FPP)
- HIST 699: Thesis
- Five electives, two of which can be upper-level undergraduate courses (300 level or higher)
For those writing a History Review Essay:
- HIST 600: Research and Methods
- HIST 605: Introduction to Historiography
- HIST 690: Final Project Prep (Students should have at least 18 credits before taking FPP)
- HIST 693: History Review Essay
- Six electives, two of which can be upper-level undergraduate courses (300 level or higher)
Thesis
The thesis stands as the traditional culmination of a student's graduate work, and students who wish to pursue a PhD should plan to write a thesis. The thesis should be approximately 50-70 pages long and based on original research. It should be the equivalent to an article in a scholarly journal. Theses are written under the guidance of an individual faculty advisor and defended before a committee of three faculty members, one of whom may be from outside the department. For more information on thesis requirements, see the Graduate Program Handbook.
History Review Essay
The History Review Essay is an alternative to the thesis. This option is only for students in the History Track. These essays are 25-30 page reviews of existing literature that demonstrate wide, deep reading in and extensive knowledge of the student's chosen field. They are equivalent to the 'state of the field' essays that appear regularly in scholarly journals. Essays showcase the student's ability to synthesize, analyze, and evaluate secondary texts by asking critical questions about historiography, research methods, sources, and theory. History Review Essays are as challenging as theses, but highlight different skills. They are especially appropriate for those who do not plan future academic publications, for teachers looking to synthesize a broad range of scholarship, and for those who do not have ready access to primary source repositories.
For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- College Transcripts: You must provide transcripts from all colleges you attended and earned 6 credits or more.
- Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation are required, though we strongly urge applicants to submit three letters. The History Department recommends that at least two of these three letters come from professors, especially History professors, who can speak to your past academic work and your potential for graduate work. The History Department also finds useful letters from supervisors that speak to the applicant\xc2\x92s work experience in a field related to history. Letters from colleagues and friends are not considered useful for the application process.
- Statement of Purpose: One of the most important pieces of the application file is the personal statement or statement of purpose. The statement should be roughly 1500 words. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the History Department and make the case for why you should be admitted into the program. Your statement should discuss in specific detail your academic interests. You should explain 1) why you want to attend graduate school; 2) what historical topic(s) you wish to study and any faculty in the department you hope to work with; and 3) what you plan to do with your History MA degree after graduation. Your statement should demonstrate a familiarity with our department and the research interests of our faculty. A specific discussion of your background and research interests is more useful than a general statement. The statement of purpose is a good way to demonstrate to the Graduate Committee how well you write, as well as how you think about issues related to the study of history. Your essay will help the Graduate Committee determine how well your interests and goals match the strengths of our program. The information on the Graduate Admissions website suggests that the statement of purpose should be separated into a two-part statement. For the purposes of application to the History MA program, you many consider the Statement of Purpose to be one complete essay.
- Writing Sample: The History Department also requires the submission of a writing sample. Ideally, an applicant\xc2\x92s writing sample should be a paper written for a college class, preferably in History. The ideal length for the writing sample is between 5-10 double-spaced pages and the paper should have been written within the last five years. This should be an analytical paper that demonstrates an applicant\xc2\x92s skill at synthesizing primary and/or secondary sources, as well as presenting the applicant\xc2\x92s own interpretation and analysis of those sources. The History Department Graduate Committee will use the writing sample to determine whether an applicant\xc2\x92s writing skills are at a level that would guarantee success at the graduate level.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE): All applicants must submit GRE scores.
English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
USD 31,425 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; USD 16,115 (Tuition (Year)) — National students
Tuition fees: USD 31,425 (Tuition (Year)) — International students; USD 16,115 (Tuition (Year)) — National students
IELTS requirement: 6.5
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Contact University of Massachusetts Boston directly for scholarship, grant, and financial aid information for this programme. Many European universities offer merit-based and need-based funding for international and domestic students.
About University of Massachusetts Boston
University of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, United States
The University of Massachusetts Boston is a public university in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
University Profile- Application Deadline 2018-01-18
- Start Date 2018-09-01
- Language English
- Duration 24 months
- Credits 30