Master of Arts in History
Curriculum
URI graduate students are required to complete 30 credits—or 10 courses of 3 credits each. At least half the classes must be at the 500 level or above and should be distributed as follows:
- All students must take at least one Advanced Topics class (HIS 401, 441, or 481). These seminars comprise the first half of the capstone course for undergraduate history majors but also are popular with graduate students.
- Graduate students are strongly encouraged to take the second half of the capstone (HIS 495) and use it to write the major research paper required of students not writing a thesis.
- The other option for completing this paper is to register for HIS 591 (Directed Studies). To register for HIS 591, first consult with the professor you wish to work with and then contact the graduate director for a permission number.
- All students must take at least three Graduate Seminars (HIS 506, 507, 508, or 544).
- Students also may take approved graduate seminars in other disciplines, provided at least two of their graduate seminars are in history. URI graduates who already have taken an Advanced Topics class as undergraduate history majors and received a grade of B or higher may substitute a fourth Graduate Seminar for an Advanced Topics class if they like.
- Other courses are taken as electives. One elective option is HIS 577 (History Internship Course), in which students may earn three credits by interning at a museum, historical society, library or other site relevant to their program of study.
Incoming students should plan to take one Advanced Topics class and at least two Graduate Seminars in their first year (or one Advanced Topics class and one Graduate Seminar if they are part-time students taking only one course per semester).
Some students take HIS 502 (Special Readings in European History), HIS 536 (Special Readings in American History), or HIS 588 (Special Readings in Asian or Latin American History). These courses are taken in conjunction with a 300-level undergraduate course, with extra readings and assignments to make the class more challenging. Students interested in taking HIS 502, 536, or 588 must first seek permission from the professor teaching the course and then secure a permission number from the graduate director. These classes can be taken only with members of the graduate faculty, which generally means full-time, tenured or tenure-track faculty.
Students may take up to six credits of graduate work in History at Rhode Island College, and graduate students at Rhode Island College may take up to six credits of graduate work at the University of Rhode Island. Students also may request permission from the Graduate School to transfer up to six credits of graduate work from another university.
Thesis Requirements
Many students enter the program planning to write a thesis, and doing so can be an extremely rewarding experience. Many who are planning to go on to doctoral programs feel it’s important to write a master’s thesis. The non-thesis option is a nice alternative for students who enjoy doing research but worry they might not complete the thesis option within two years. Students should discuss their goals with the graduate director and their major professor.
Students completing thesis research take 6-9 credits of HIS 599, Master’s Thesis Research, with the professor directing their thesis. To register for HIS 599, please contact your major professor for a permission number.