The MA in history with a focus in global history has been designed to enable students to move beyond an understanding of the role of Western Europe in shaping our values and institutions to an appreciation of the ideas, values and historical traditions of the cultures of Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas. Selected courses from other disciplines will give students an opportunity to study relevant political, economic and social change within a historical context. The 33-36 credit program is geared toward secondary-level social studies teachers who wish
to add to their knowledge and skills, toward students with a baccalaureate major or concentration in history who wish to prepare themselves for doctoral study, and toward those who seek personal and intellectual growth.

Requirements for the MA in History (with a focus in Global History)
Core Courses Foundations (9 credits):
Three of the five following courses (3 credits each)

HST	700	The Heritages and Challenges of Historical Research.
HST	703	Topics in Non-Western History: A Comparative Review.
HST	705	A History of Economic Ideas.
HST	710	Historical Geography.
HST	797	Contemporary Problems in Global Civilization.
TOTAL		9 credits.

Specialization Courses:
Each student will be required to select five courses from one of the following two areas–the Major Area– and two courses from the second area–the Minor Area.

Area I - Asia and Africa (3 credits each)

HST	780	The Ancient Near East and the Mediterranean.
HST	782	The Middle East from the Ottoman Empire to European Hegemony.
HST	784	Indian Civilization.
HST	785	Chinese Civilization.
HST	786	Japanese Civilization.
HST	787	Asian Thought and Society.
HST	788	Africa to the Era of the Slave Trade.
HST	789	Africa and the Modern World.

Area II - Europe and the Americas (3 credits each)

HST	765	Europ in the Middle Ages.
HST	770	The Shaping of Modern Europe: 1789-1914.
HST	771	The Shaping of Contemporary Europe: 1914 to Present.
HST	780	The Ancient Near East and Mediterranean.
HST	790	Russian Communism and Culture in the Soviet Age.
HST	793	Modern Latin America.
HST	796	Colloquium in History.
HST	860	Prelude to Nationhood: America to 1787.
HST	861	Nationalism and Sectionalism: 1787-1877.
HST	862	Industrialism and Reform: 1877-1914.
HST	863	War and Peace: America Since 1914.
HST	872	Makers of American History.

Total Area I and Area II: 21 Credits.

In addition, there are a number of topical courses, which, depending upon their focus, can be applied to either Area I or Area II. Students should consult with the chair or graduate advisor to determine the area of specialization before registering. Courses in this catagory are: HST 701, HST 990-999.

Culminating Experience:
Option A

HST	981	Thesis.
HST	982	Thesis.

Note: With approval of their advisor, students may opt to undertake either a three (3) credit (HST 981) or a six (6) credit (HST 981 and 982) thesis. If selecting the six credit option, HST 982 will be counted as one of the five courses required in the major area of concentration.

Option B
Two additional courses approved by the chair of the department or graduate advisor; one of these two courses must involve a special research project that demonstrates the student’s ability to undertake original scholarly research.

Comprehensive Examination:
Students must complete all foundation course requirements and a total of 15 credits in the major and minor areas before taking the comprehensive exam. The exam will be scheduled in the spring semester each year.

TOTAL: 33-36 Credits.

Foreign Language Requirement
Students may satisfy the requirement for proficiency in a foreign language in one of the following ways:
1. Successful completion of an examination administered by an appropriate faculty member from the department of foreign languages. The exam will consist of the translation of a passage in the chosen language, with the candidate being allowed to use a dictionary. The examination is limited to one hour in length.
2. Successful completion, during the period of graduate study, of at least three credit hours of approved undergraduate, upper-division language coursework with a minimum grade of “B.”

Admissions
Non-Matriculated Status
All students are admitted to the program with nonmatriculated status. The applicant must present the following:
1. Complete application.
2. Evidence of completion of a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in history or a related field.
3. Payment of the application fee.
A maximum of 12 credits will be permitted as a nonmatriculated student.

Matriculated Status
Students will be considered for admission to the program with matriculated status if they provide the following:
1. Evidence of completion of a baccalaureate degree in history, or a closely related major, with official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools previously attended. Student copies are not accepted. A minimum 3.0 undergraduate or graduate GPA is required. Students who lack the undergraduate 3.0 average may enter as non-matriculated students and complete a minimum of nine credits at Iona on the graduate level with a 3.0 GPA.
2. Three completed recommendation forms must be submitted directly to the Graduate Office of the School of Arts and Science or the Rockland campus. These recommendations must be submitted by supervisors or college faculty who
have direct knowledge of the student’s academic aptitude and potential for success in the program. If possible, at least one letter of recommendation must be from a recent faculty member. Recommendations from friends, relatives or
colleagues are not acceptable.
3. An interview with the department chair or designee.
NOTE: Matriculation for students who lack a baccalaureate degree in history will be considered on an individual basis; matriculation under special circumstances will be based on an interview, departmental examination or other method of
departmental evaluation of special knowledge and skills of the applicant.

Graduation Requirements
1. Completion of the required 33 credits (for students using the thesis option) or 36 credits (for students using the non-thesis option). In both cases, the appropriate distribution of credit requirement must be met.
2. A minimum 3.0 GPA (grade point average).
3. Successful defense of the thesis or in the case of the students using the 36 credit option, the acceptance by the chair of a major research paper.
4. Successful completion of the comprehensive exam.
5. Fulfillment of the foreign language requirement.
6. All requirements must be completed within five years from the date of admission.

Back to Top