Course Requirements

The total credit hour requirement for the M.A. in History is 30 credits, including the following 24 credits:

• HIST 695 - Directed Thesis Master’s Research (variable 3-9) (Total of 6 credits)
• HIST 701 - Historian’s Craft (3)
• HIST 712 - Research Seminars (3) (Select two for a total of 6 credits)*
• HIST 715 - Readings Seminars (3) (Select three for a total of 9 credits)*

• *Upon approval by the Director of Graduate Studies, students may take up to 6 credits in History 590 or graduate-level courses in other departments/programs not cross-listed under History. These courses will usually serve as a substitute for History 715, and if appropriate, History 712.

• In addition, students must complete at least 6 credit hours of HIST 700  (variable 1-12 credits). No more than 6 credits of HIST 700 may be used to satisfy degree requirements. 

Thesis Requirement

In order to fulfill the thesis requirement, students will prepare a research portfolio consisting of two major research papers approved by a committee.

Exam Requirement

See the Graduate Regulations.

Foreign Language Requirement

Candidates must demonstrate by departmental examination a reading knowledge of a language other than English.

Residence Requirement

Full-time M.A. students must be in residence for at least two semesters.

Satisfactory Progress

Full-time M.A. students must complete all degree requirements by the end of the fourth semester following matriculation. Those admitted as part-time students must complete all degree requirements within three years of starting the program.

To be eligible to graduate, all students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all courses undertaken for graduate credit at William & Mary after admission to a degree program. A student who receives a grade of C+ (2.3) or lower in a course may repeat that course one time for credit, upon approval of both the instructor of the course and the graduate director for the student’s program. When such a repeat attempt is approved, the grades for both attempts will count in the cumulative GPA, but on the most recent attempt will count toward the degree. No credit toward a degree will be allowed for a course in which a student receives a grade below C (grade point = 2.0).

All requirements for the master’s degree must be completed within six years from the first term of enrollment in the master’s program, excluding periods of approved leave and military service.  Requests for extension beyond the six-year limit must be filed following the procedures outlined in Time Limits for Degrees and Extensions in the Graduate Arts & Sciences Catalog.