Academic Programs Catalog

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Global History

1. The University requirements for bachelor’s degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of the catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Global History.
   
   The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the Global History major is met by completing one of the following courses:  History 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, or 489. Those courses are referenced in item 3. below.
2. The requirements of the College of Social Science for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
3. The following requirements for the major:

   a.	The following course (3 credits):
   	HST	201	Historical Methods and Skills						3
   b.	Two of the following courses (8 credits):
   	HST	140	World History to 1500						4
   	HST	150	World History since 1500						4
   	HST	205	The Ancient Mediterranean and the Medieval World						4
   	HST	206	European History since 1500						4
   	HST	208	Introduction to African History, Culture and Society						4
   	HST	209	Traditional East Asia						4
   	HST	210	Modern East Asia						4
   	HST	211	Colonial Latin America						4
   	HST	212	National Latin America						4
   c.	Three courses at the 300-400 level focused on one of the following geographic areas:  Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America. The courses must be approved by the student’s academic advisor. (9 credits)
   d.	Two courses at the 300-400 level focused on a geographic area other than the area chosen in item c. above. The courses must be approved by the student’s academic advisor. (6 credits)
   e.	One 3-credit senior seminar course chosen from HST 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, or 488. The course must be related to the area of historical concentration chosen in item c. above. Completion of this requirement satisfies both the department’s Tier II writing and capstone requirement.
   f.	Completion of one experiential learning course, a history study abroad or study away course, an internship with a historical focus (HST 493), or an additional senior seminar course focused on any area of the world or topic not used in fulfillment of requirement e. above. The course must be approved by the student’s academic advisor. (3 credits)
   g.	Completion of an area studies minor appropriate to the geographical area of concentration referenced in requirement c. above. History courses taken in the minor may also be used to fulfill requirements in the major.
   h.	Second-year competency in a foreign language related to the geographical area of concentration reference in item c. above. This requirement may be satisfied by placing into a 300-level foreign language course based on a Michigan State University placement test.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in History

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in History.
   
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the History major is met by completing one of the following courses:  History 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, or 489.  Those courses are referenced in item 3. below.
2. The requirements of the College of Social Science for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
3. The following requirements for the major (36 credits):

   a.	One of the following courses (3 credits):
   	HST	201	Historical Methods and Skills				3
   	HST	201H	Historical Methods and Skills for Honors Students				3
   b.	Three of the following courses (12 credits):
   	HST	140	World History to 1500				4
   	HST	150	World History since 1500				4
   	HST	202	U.S. History to 1876				4
   	HST	203	U.S. History since 1876				4
   	HST	205	The Ancient Mediterranean and the Medieval World				4
   	HST	206	European History since 1500				4
   	HST	208	Introduction to African History, Culture and Society				4
   	HST	209	Traditional East Asia				4
   	HST	210	Modern East Asia				4
   	HST	211	Colonial Latin America				4
   	HST	212	National Latin America				4
   c.	Two of the following courses (6 credits):
   	HST	480	Seminar in American History (W)				3
   	HST	481	Seminar in Ancient History (W)				3
   	HST	482	Seminar in Medieval History (W)				3
   	HST	483	Seminar in Modern European History (W)				3
   	HST	484	Seminar in African History (W)				3
   	HST	485	Seminar in Asian History (W)				3
   	HST	486	Seminar in Latin American History (W)				3
   	HST	487	Seminar in Comparative History (W)				3
   	HST	488	Seminar in International Relations (W)				3
   	HST	489	Seminar in Digital History (W)				3
   	The completion of this requirement satisfies the department's capstone course requirement. With the prior approval of the undergraduate advisor and internship coordinator, an internship taken for at least 3 credits may be substituted for the capstone course requirement.
   		Exception: credits in History 490 or 499H may not be used to satisfy this requirement.
   d.	Twelve credits in History courses at the 300-400 level.
   e.	Three additional credits in a History course.
   f.	At least two courses totaling 6 credits from at least three of the following geographical areas: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin American, the United States, or the world. This requirement may be fulfilled by the courses referenced in items 3. b. through 3. e.
   g.	At least two courses totaling 6 credits whose emphasis is on the period before 1800. This requirement may be fulfilled by the courses referenced in items 3. b. through 3. e.
   h.	At least two courses totaling 6 credits whose emphasis is on the period after 1800. This requirement may be fulfilled by the courses referenced in items 3. b. through 3. e.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in History Education

The History: Social Studies Education program is a comprehensive teaching major leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Social Science. It is available for teacher certification and is only available to students pursuing teacher certification. Students who complete the requirements for this major and the requirements for teacher certification are recommended for a secondary teaching certificate in social studies. Persons with teacher certification in social studies are qualified to teach history, political science, geography, and economics.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in History: Social Studies Education

1. The University requirements for bachelor’s degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in History: Social Studies Education.
   The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the History: Social Studies Education major is met by completing History 480 or 481 or 482 or 483 or 483 or 485 or 486 or 487 or 488.  Those courses are referenced in item 3. below.
2. Students in the History: Social Studies Education major are not required to complete the College of Social Science requirements referenced under the heading Graduation Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science Degrees in the College of Social Science section of this catalog.
3. The following requirements for the major:

The Minor in Defense Studies and Leadership, which is administered by the Department of History, provides students with a broad perspective on the military with analysis of all service branches of the Armed Forces from a historical and social scientific perspective. It also prepares current cadets for active duty service.

The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University.  With the approval of the department and college that administers the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to complete the requirements for the minor should consult an undergraduate advisor in the Department of History.

Requirements for the Minor in Defense Studies and Leadership

The Minor in History, which is administered by the Department of History, provides foundational skills needed for the study of history, breadth of historical knowledge, and advanced study of one or more historical topics. Students obtain research, reasoning and writing skills that form the core of historical study and develop capacities to integrate knowledge from diverse historical subfields based on this common set of skills.

The minor is available as an elective to students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University other than the Bachelor of Arts degree in History, History Education, or Global History. With the approval of the department and college that administer the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to apply to the program should consult the undergraduate advisor in the Department of History.

Requirements for the Minor in History

Complete 15 credits in History as follows: 

1. The following course (3 credits):
   HST    201    Historical Methods and Skills                                                                                                       3
2. Complete 12 credits in History courses, of which 6 of those credits must be at the 300-400 level. A maximum of 3 credits in advanced placement or transfer credit may be used towards this requirement. Courses used in fulfillment of this requirement must be approved by the undergraduate advisor in the Department of History.    

The Master of Arts degree program in history is designed for students who desire a general course of advanced study in the field.
In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission 

Admission to graduate study in the Department of History is primarily to the doctoral program. However, under certain circumstances, the department will consider applications for admission to the Master of Arts in History from students who wish to earn a master’s degree in preparation for a career in a supporting discipline or profession that does not require a Ph.D. Please consult with the Departmental Graduate Studies Director if you wish to apply for the Master of Arts in History.

To be considered for admission to the Master of Arts degree program in history, an applicant must:

1. Have an official transcript forwarded from the applicant’s undergraduate institution(s) that verifies conferral of a baccalaureate degree.
2. Have the results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test forwarded to the department.
3. Submit a writing sample to the department that the applicant considers to be a fair representation of the applicant’s ability to conduct scholarly research and produce academic writing.
4. Submit a statement (500-1000 words) that clearly indicates the primary field of intended study and addresses the applicant’s goals in pursuing a Master of Arts degree in History.
5. Have at least two individuals, preferably scholars with whom the applicant has had course work or other professional contact, submit letters of recommendation to the department.

An international applicant is required to have fulfilled the university's English language proficiency requirement as described in the Graduate Education section of this catalog in one of the following three ways:

1. Have a  total score of 580 (paper version) or 237 (computer version) or 100 (Internet version) or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language with no subscore below 55 (paper version) or 21 (computer version).
2. Have an average score of 85 or higher on the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery with no subscore below 83.
3. Have an average score of 85 or higher on the Michigan State University English Language Center Test with no subscore below 83.

Guidance Committee

Before completing 8 credits in history courses, the student, with the assistance of the Graduate Director, must constitute a guidance committee of at least two faculty members in the Department of History who represent different fields of history.  Until the student's guidance committee has been established, the student's program of study must be approved by the Graduate Director.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in History

The program is available under both Plan A (with thesis) and Plan B (without thesis).  A total of 30 credits is required for the degree under either Plan A or Plan B.  The student's program of study must be approved by the student's guidance committee.  The student must meet the requirements specified below:

Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B

1. Complete HST 803 Seminar in Methodology of Historical Research (3 credits).
2. Complete at least 15 credits in 800-900 level history courses including one 3 credit course in historiography relevant to the student’s program of study.
3. Competency in a foreign language. Credits in courses in foreign language may not be counted toward the requirements for the Master of Arts or Doctor of Philosophy in History degree programs.

Additional Requirements for Plan A

1. Complete 6 credits of HST 899 Master’s Thesis Research.
2. Pass a final oral examination that covers the student’s program of study and thesis.

1. Pass a certifying examination, consisting of three parts, one testing the major area and two tests in each of the student’s minor areas.

The program leading to the doctoral degree with a major in history is designed to provide wide knowledge in several fields of history, specialized competence in a limited area, and research techniques that will prepare the student for a career in teaching, research, government service, private industry, and other areas of professional historical activity.
The following primary fields of study are available to doctoral students in the department:

• African–American history
• African history
• American history
• Comparative Black history
• East Asian history
• European history
• Latin American and Caribbean history
• Science and medicine
• Women and gender history

The department recognizes the high importance of developing among its doctoral candidates a proficiency in college teaching. To the limit of its resources, it undertakes to provide experience in teaching in the form of graduate assistantships, along with organized discussions of the ends and means of the teaching career.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Social Science, students must meet the requirements specified below. 

Admission 

Students are admitted to the program for fall semester only.  The department must receive all application materials by December 1.  Decisions on admission are announced by late February. In making admissions decisions, the department considers the competencies of the faculty and the needs of students and the profession.

To be considered for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy degree program in history, an applicant must:

1. Have an official transcript forwarded from the applicant’s undergraduate institution(s) that verifies conferral of a baccalaureate degree. If the applicant completed graduate course work or a graduate degree, official transcript(s) reflecting that work must also be submitted.
2. Submit a writing sample to the department that the applicant considers to be a fair representation of the applicant’s ability to conduct scholarly research and produce academic writing.
3. Submit a statement (500-1000 words) that clearly indicates the primary field of intended study, the faculty members with whom the applicant would like to work, and the reasons for choosing the field and faculty.
4. Submit a personal statement (500-1000 words) that addresses the applicant’s background as well as his or her goals in pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy degree in History.
5. Have at least three individuals, preferably scholars with whom the applicant has had course work or other professional contact, submit letters of recommendation to the department.

An international applicant is required to have fulfilled the university's English language proficiency requirement as described in the Graduate Education section of this catalog in one of the following three ways:

1. Have a total score of 580 (paper version) or 237 (computer version) or 100 (Internet version) or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language with no subscore below 55 (paper version) or 21 (computer version).
2. Have an average score of 85 or higher on the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery with no subscore below 83.
3. Have an average score of 85 or higher on the Michigan State University English Language Center Test with no subscore below 83.

In rare instances, exceptional applicants whose English proficiency does not meet the minimum requirements at the time of application, will be admitted provisionally, with the understanding that the applicant must demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency before admission and funding can be extended. Typically, the cutoff date to do so for fall semester is in early June.

Applicants for doctoral study should understand that the department can offer no assurance that all of the areas of professional specialization will be available to students at any particular time. It is essential that persons with specific, clearly defined academic interests communicate with the Graduate Director before making firm plans to enroll in the doctoral program.

Guidance Committee

Students entering the doctoral program will be guided by the graduate director in the selection of courses for the first year. By the end of the second semester, students should choose their major professor and their guidance committee. The committee shall consist of at least four members: two represent the student’s major field, one of whom shall chair the student’s guidance committee and direct the dissertation. In addition, two faculty members, one from each of the student’s chosen two minor fields, will serve on the committee.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in History

The student must:

The Graduate Certificate in American Studies, which is administered by the Department of History, is designed for students who wish to study the culture, history, and civilization of the United States from an inter– and multidisciplinary perspective. Students may pursue the program to complement disciplinary master’s or doctoral degree programs such as English, History, Anthropology, African American and African Studies, Chicano/Latino Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Theatre, Music, or History of Art.  Students who are enrolled in the program explore the techniques, materials, and perspectives of American studies, American history, and American literature, as well as other related disciplines or thematic units.

The certificate is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs at Michigan State University. Students must meet the requirements of the certificate specified below, in addition to the requirements for the student’s primary degree program.

The student's program of study must be approved the Graduate Chairperson in the Department of History.

Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in American Studies    

Students must complete a minimum of 12 credits, of which 6 credits must come from units other than the student’s primary degree program. Students pursuing a dual degree, 6 credits must come from units other than the student’s two degree programs.