Master of Arts in History

In making admissions recommendations to the Oakland University Graduate School, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, recommendations, previous coursework, and other admission requirements established by the academic department.

Online Application

Prospective students apply to the Master of Arts program in history at Oakland University through the online portal managed by the Oakland University Graduate School at https://gradapply.oakland.edu/apply/  All application materials must be uploaded through the Graduate School's application site.

Application Deadlines

Students may initiate an online application at any time.  Incomplete applications are not eligible for admission review.  Review of completed applications typically takes 2-4 weeks.  All students who wish to be considered for the department's Graduate Assistantship must complete applications for fall (September) entry by February 15.  Otherwise, normal deadlines are:

• February 15 (early), April 15 (regular), and July 15 (late) for fall semester start
• October 1 (early) and November 15 (regular) for winter semester start
• March 1 (regular) for summer semesters 

International students who apply must keep in mind the need to secure visas.  See the Graduate School website for up-to-date information.  Application deadlines for international students are:

• May 1 (for fall semester entry)
• September 1 (for winter semester entry)
• January 1 (for summer entry)

Required application materials include those mandated by the Graduate School and the Department of History.  Please do not email any materials separately as they must be uploaded by the candidate into the application dossier administered by the Graduate School in order to be reviewed.  For current requirements and FAQs see: https://www.oakland.edu/grad/how-to-apply/ 

Students must meet all Oakland University Graduate School admissions criteria and provide the required materials as detailed on the Graduate School admissions webpage: https://www.oakland.edu/grad/how-to-apply/Steps-to-Apply/ .  These include: 

• Official transcripts providing evidence of a baccalaureate degree awarded from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or equivalent from a college or university of government recognized standing
• Official transcripts from all post-secondary educational institutions and for any graduate-level coursework beyond a bachelor's degree
• Professional recommendations (form with attached letters required by the history department)
• Curriculum vitae or resume

Prospective students must also include application materials required by the history department that are to be uploaded into the same application dossier managed by the Graduate School:

• Applicants should have a minimum GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) in undergraduate history courses with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher
• Applicants must digitally attach two recommendation letters -- with at least one from the applicant's current or former professor -- to the forms "Recommendation for Graduate Admission" that are submitted to their application dossier with the Graduate School
• Applicants must include a detailed statement of purpose, a short essay explaining the student's reasons for entering the graduate program in history, relevant experience in historical studies or research, what subfield(s) or areas the student plans to pursue, and how their potential course of study coincides with the strengths of the department.  This, too, should be uploaded to the application dossier
• Applicants should also include an academic writing sample (preferably a history research paper) uploaded to the online application
• The program typically requires students to have earned a baccalaureate degree in history but reserves the right to waive this requirement for students with outstanding undergraduate records

International students must provide supplemental materials as required by the Graduate School: https://www.oakland.edu/grad/how-to-apply/international-students/ . These include: 

• Transcript evaluations by specific companies (see Graduate School link above)
• Statement of finances
• Certified bank statements (in English)
• Affidavit of support
• F-1 transfer form (if transferring from another US institution)
• Proof of English proficiencies
• Students are responsible for securing any required visas for study/residency in the U.S.

Costs of Attendance and Financial Aid

OU's Graduate School provides up-to-date information regarding costs of attendance, financial aid, and scholarships at: https://www.oakland.edu/financialaid/costs/cost-of-attendance/  and  https://www.oakland.edu/financialaid/ 

Course Overviews

Colloquiums in History: HST 6940 and 6941

Course description: Intensive reading and discussion on a significant period or broad topic of history.  Students will engage in identifying, summarizing, appraising, and synthesizing other scholars' historical arguments, historical problems and/or content of primary sources.

Course format: In-person, faculty-led seminar discussions with other history M.A. students.

Credits:  4 credits.

Common assignments: In-class discussion, reading analyses, book reviews, historiographical essays, presentations.

Grading system:  Letter grades A, B, C, D, F.

Topics vary depending on the instructor and semester.  Content is designed to address broad historical problems and issues.

Graduate Research Seminars: HST 6945 and 6946

Course description: Students engage in historical research, crafting evidence-supported research projects consisting of historical narratives, arguments, and reports of research findings using secondary and primary sources.

Course format: In-person, faculty-led seminar discussions with other history M.A. students.

Credits:  4 credits. 

Common assignments:  research paper or project, secondary and primary source presentations, project proposal presentations, participation, and discussion.

Grading system:  Letter grades A, B, C, D, F.

Topics vary depending on the instructor and semester.  Content is designed to address broad historical problems and issues to allow students to pursue research projects in their area(s) of interest.

Research Tutorials: HST 6995 and 6996

Course description:  Directed individual research leading to the completion of a substantial original research project in history centered on an original historical question and argument, such as a paper or digital history, public history or curriculum project. 

Course format:  One-on-one meetings and assignments as determined by the instructor.  Students must have permission of instructor before enrolling. 

Credits:  4 credits.

Common assignments:  Identifying and presenting scholarly secondary and primary sources to be used in project, completing and presenting project proposal, producing historiographical analysis of existing scholarship on topic of project, reporting on research findings, submitting of drafts of project and revising.

Grading system:  Letter grades A, B, C, D, F.

Topics vary and typically are determined by the instructor's field of expertise.

Directed Readings: HST 5920 and 5920

Course description:  Directed individual readings in scholarly sources on defined historical problems and/or topics.  Students may engage in historical analysis and/or examination of primary sources.

Course format:  One-on-one meetings and assignments as determined by the instructor.  Students must have permission of instructor before enrolling.

Credits:  Can be taken for 1, 2, 3, or 4 credits (determined at start of semester).

Common assignments:  Verbal reports/analyses of historical works, identifying and evaluating historical arguments, verbal or written analysis of historiographical evolution of scholars' arguments of a historical problem or event, producing a historiographical review or essay.

Grading system:  Letter grades A, B, C, D, F.

Topics vary and typically are determined by the instructor's field of expertise.

Historical Research Seminars: HST 5980 and 5981

Course description:  Investigation of topics and completion of independent research paper in a seminar setting.  Substantive issues, research techniques, and historical problems will be considered.  Research paper to be submitted at course conclusion.

Course format:  Seminar format.  These courses are taken with upper-level undergraduate history majors (taking it as the HST 4980 Capstone) but with separate outcomes, assignments, and assessments appropriate for M.A. students.

Credits:  4 credits.

Common assignments:  Participation in seminar discussions of shared readings, completion of and presentation of proposals of research projects, reports on research findings/progress, drafts of research paper, final paper.

Grading system:  Letter grades A, B, C, D, F.

Topics vary and typically are determined by the instructor's field of expertise.

Master Thesis: HST 6997

Course description:  Research for the M.A. thesis under guidance of faculty mentor(s).

Course format:  One-on-one meetings determined by mentor(s) with independent research and writing.  Must have thesis proposal approved by mentor(s) and graduate coordinator prior to enrolling in the course.  Must have instructor permission.

Credits:  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 credits (determined at start of semester).  Students may retake this course for credit.  For example, a student might take HST 6997 in an initial semester as they do preliminary research and work on their thesis, earning a grade of SP (Satisfactory Progress).  Then, they could take HST 6997 again the following semester as they complete the project, earning a grade of S (Satisfactory) to signal its completion.

Common assignments:  Verbal and written reports of secondary and primary sources, verbal and written reports of research progress, drafts of thesis, revisions of thesis in keeping with mentor feedback, working toward completed thesis manuscript.

Grading system:  S (Satisfactory), U (Unsatisfactory), SP (Satisfactory Progress), NP (Unsatisfactory Progress).

Topics vary and typically are determined by the mentors' field(s) of expertise.

Master Project: HST 6999

Course description:  Research for the M.A. project under guidance of faculty mentor(s).

Course format:  One-on-one meetings determined by mentor(s) with independent research and writing. Must have project proposal approved by mentor(s) and graduate coordinator prior to enrolling in this course.  Must have instructor permission.

Credits:  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 credits (determined at start of semester).  Students may retake this course for credit.  Students might, for example, take HST 6999 in an initial semester as they do preliminary research and work on their project, earning a grade of SP (Satisfactory Progress).  Then, they could take HST 6999 again the following semester as they complete the project, earning a grade of S (Satisfactory) to signal its completion.

Common assignments:  Verbal and written reports of secondary and primary sources, verbal and written reports of research progress, drafts of project, revisions of project in keeping with mentor feedback, working toward completed project.

Grading system:  S (Satisfactory), U (Unsatisfactory), SP (Satisfactory Progress), NP (Unsatisfactory Progress).

Topics vary and typically are determined by the mentors' field(s) of expertise.

The M.A. Thesis Option

Students electing to pursue the thesis option as their exit requirement must select a department mentor and co-mentor who agree to oversee the research and writing of the thesis.  Students are required to submit a detailed thesis proposal to their mentors and the department's graduate coordinator.  This proposal must be approved by the mentors and graduate coordinator before the student may enroll in HST 6997 and begin the thesis research and writing process.

Students engaged in research and writing of a thesis must be enrolled in HST 6997: Master Thesis.  HST 6997 can be taken for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 credits.  HST 6997 is graded as a pass/fail course (S, U, SP, NP grades).  As noted above, students may retake HST 6997 in multiple semesters for credit.  Students might, for example, take HST 6997 in an initial semester as they do preliminary research and work on their thesis, earning a grade of SP (Satisfactory Progress).  Then, they could take HST 6997 again the following semester as they complete the thesis, earning a grade of S (Satisfactory) to signal its completion, successful defense, and format approval.

Deadlines for Thesis

Students should expect to submit multiple drafts of their thesis to their mentors, who provide comments and requests for revisions in the research and writing process.  FAculty mentors will oversee this process, but ultimately students are responsible for meeting all deadlines set by their faculty mentors, the Graduate School, and the OU registrar for the completion, defense, and submission of the thesis.  Deadlines set by the OU registrar each semester appear in the calendar of "Important Dates" at: https://www.oakland.edu/registrar/important-dates/  Degree completion will be delayed to later semesters if these deadlines are not met.

Thesis Completion, Defense, and Submission

Once students have completed a thesis that is approved by their mentors as meeting the agreed upon length, content, and format, the mentors will set a date for the verbal defense of the thesis in keeping with the registrar's deadlines.  Mentors will contact the Graduate School, informing them of the upcoming defense date.  The Graduate School will send the mentors and graduate coordinator a form to be completed by the mentor, student, and coordinator after a successful defense and submitted to the Graduate School.  After a successful defense, the student is required to complete any remaining revisions requested by their mentors.  The thesis must conform to the Chicago Manual of Style and must be formatted according to the Graduate School's standards.  The student will then submit their approved, defended, and properly formatted thesis to the Graduate School, again by the required deadlines.  The mentor/instructor will then assign a grade of S (satisfactory) in HST 6997 that semester to signal the successful completion and defense of the thesis.

The OU Graduate School's website for theses and dissertations includes information including formatting, defense, and printing: https://www.oakland.edu/grad/current-graduate-students/thesis-and-dissertation/

The M.A. Project Option

Students electing to pursue the M.A. Project option as their exit requirement must select a department mentor who agrees to oversee the research and completion of the project.  The project, which is to be determined in consultation with the mentor, must combine original and independent research with a practical application to a particular field or profession (typically in education or public history).  Students are required to submit a detailed project proposal to their mentors and the department's graduate coordinator.  This proposal must be approved by the mentors and graduate coordinator before the student may enroll in the project research course HST 6999 and begin the research process.

Students engaged in research and completion of a project must be enrolled in HST 6999: Master Project.  HST 6999 can be taken for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 credits.  HST 6999 is graded as a pass/fail course (S, U, SP, and NP grades).  As noted above, students my retake this course for credit.  Students might, for example, take HST 6999 in one semester as they do research and work on the project, earning a grade of SP (Satisfactory Progress).  Then, the following semester, they may take HST 6999 again as they complete the project and verbal presentation, earning a grade of S (Satisfactory) to signal its completion.

Students should expect to submit multiple drafts of their project to their mentors, who provide comments and requests for revisions in the research and writing process.  Faculty mentors will oversee the process, but students are responsible for meeting all deadlines set by faculty mentors, the Graduate School, and the OU registrar for the completion and submission of the project, in keeping with targeted graduation dates.

Once students have completed a project that is approved by their mentor(s) and meets the agreed upon length, content, and format, the mentors will set a date for the verbal presentation of the project well ahead of the end of the semester.  After a successful presentation, successful completion of the project will be recorded by the mentor and reported to the history graduate coordinator.  The mentor/instructor will then assign a grade of S (Satisfactory) in HST 6999 that semester to signal its successful completion and presentation. 

Enrolling in Courses

All students who have been formally admitted into the program may enroll in classes.  Students should refer to the most current plan of study that they have completed in consultation with the graduate coordinator and faculty mentors to determine what courses they should take.  Students should meet with the graduate coordinator and their faculty mentors each academic year to review their plan of study and progress toward the degree.

Colloquiums (HST 6941 and HST 6942) are typically offered in fall semesters.  Graduate Research Seminars (HST 6945 and HST 6946) are usually offered in the winter.  Students may enroll in these courses directly as soon as they appear in the SAIL system.

For the following courses students should consult faculty instructors and the graduate coordinator well head of the start of the semester:  Directed Readings (HST 5920 and HST 5921), Research Tutorials (HST 6995 and HST 6996), Historical Research Seminars (HST 5980 and HST 5981), and Master Thesis (HST 6997) or Master Project (HST 6999).  Requests for these courses made after the start of classes cannot be accommodated.  Once students have secured the agreement of a faculty instructor to offer one of these courses and met any requirements for enrollment, the student sends an email to the department's administrative assistant and copies (cc) the graduate coordinator and faculty member who will teach it, requesting that a section of the course be created for them to enroll in.  The student then enrolls in that section/course in SAIL.

Graduation and Degree Conferral

Students should refer to the Graduate School's Graduation webpage for information about the required application to graduate, commencement ceremonies, graduation checklists, degree audits, and diploma delivery: https://www.oakland.edu/grad/current-graduate-students/graduation/ 

At the beginning of the semester they intend to graduate, students must submit an online "Application for Graduate" (see website above) in the first weeks of the semester.

To participate in commencement ceremonies, see the instructions on the Graduate School's website above under "Commencement" and submit the form "Request to Participate in Commencement Ceremony" at https://www.oakland.edu/grad/current-graduate-students/forms/

Degree Audit

Requirements for degree completion are determined by the requirements for the M.A. in History published in the Oakland University Graduate Catalog in place the year that the student entered the program.  For example, student A began coursework in Fall 2025, and so will graduate under the requirements for the M.A. in History in the 2025-2026 catalog, but student B who entered the program in Fall 2020 will need to meet the degree requirements in the 2019-2021 catalog.  Current and past (archived) OU Graduate Catalogs can be found online at: https://www.oakland.edu/grad/graduate-catalogs/

Students who wish to graduate using the degree requirements of the catalog in place when they graduate may petition the Graduate School to do so by completing the "Change Graduate Catalog Edition" form at: https://www.oakland.edu/grad/graduate-catalogs/  Students must complete and secure authorization for this change before the start of their final semester.

After all graduation requirements have been completed by their deadlines and the semester is over, the Graduate School will conduct an audit of each student's record to assure that all requirements have been completed before conferring the degree.

Degree Posted to Record and Diplomas

Students will formally graduate with the degree conferred and formally posted after the audit has been successfully completed, approximately 6-8 weeks after the end of the student's final semester.  Diplomas are mailed to the address on file after the audit is completed and the degree conferred.

Minimum Enrollment Policy

In order to maintain active student status, master's students must enroll in a minimum of one course in either the fall, winter, or summer semester of each academic year starting in the first semester in which a student is enrolled at Oakland University.  The course must be one that is required by their academic program and count toward the degree.  This includes semesters when students are researching or completing the thesis or graduate project.

Leave of Absence

In some circumstances, students may wish to petition for a leave of absence if they are not able to enroll in classes.  For a leave of absence students must file a "Request for Leave of Absence" petition using the Graduate School form at: https://www.oakland.edu/grad/current-graduate-students/forms/  There are some negative effects of a leave of absence: (1) the student is not entitled to any services from the university during the leave, including demands upon faculty or adviser time; (2) email and library privileges are suspended; and (3) receipt of fellowship, assistantship, or financial aid is suspended during a leave of absence.  Students may only take a limited number of leaves.  See details in the OU Graduate Catalog.

Time Limit for Completing the Degree and Extensions to Complete Degree

Credit earned more than six years before a master's degree is to be granted may not be used to fulfill the degree or program requirements.  Students who fail to complete all requirements for the master's degree within six years may petition their graduate program for an extension of time to complete outstanding requirements.  The student must submit the Graduate School's form "Petition for Time Extension and Revalidation of OU Credits (Master's Students)" found at: https://www.oakland.edu/grad/current-graduate-students/forms/  The OU Graduate School will review the request and communicate in writing the final decision to the petitioner with a copy sent to the student's graduate program.

Repeating Courses to Replace a Grade

Graduate students, with the permission of their program faculty and the Graduate School, may repeat a course up to two times to improve a non-pass grade earned in prior enrollment.  The original grade will remain on the transcript, but the last grade earned in the course will be used in computing the GPA.  Graduate students must complete the form "Petition to Repeat a Course" found at https://www.oakland.edu/grad/current-graduate-students/forms/ to obtain approval before enrolling. 

Good Academic Standing and Satisfactory Academic Progress

All graduate students are expected to remain in good academic standing and continue with the successful completion of coursework throughout the course of their graduate program.  The OU history department requires that students earn a B or 3.0 in every course and maintain an overall (cumulative) GPA of 3.0 to remain in the program and to graduate with the degree.  At the end of any semester, a graduate student with an overall GPA below 3.0 (B) is placed on academic probation and provided a second and third (final) probationary semester.  A student is subject to dismissal upon failure to raise the cumulative GPA to 3.0 (B) or better by the end of the third (final) probationary semester.

The Graduate School grading system is detailed in the current online Graduate Catalog under "Graduate and University Policies": https://www.oakland.edu/grad/graduate-catalogs/

The Graduate Letter Grading System, Corresponding "Quality Points," and Calculation of GPA

Grade Quality Points:

• A = 4.0
• A- = 3.7
• B+ = 3.3
• B = 3.0
• B- = 2.7
• C+ = 2.3
• C = 2.0
• C- = 1.7
• D+ = 1.3
• D = 1.0
• F = 0.0

Official GPA calculations are completed by the OU Office of the Registrar and can be found in your Sail Account or on official transcripts issued by the OU Registrar.  Unofficial GPAs can be calculated by using Oakland University's GPA calculator at: https://www.oakland.edu/gpa-calculator/

To unofficially calculate GPA for one semester:

1. For each course, multiply the "quality points" corresponding to the letter grade earned in the course by the number of credit hours for that course.  These are the "honor points" earned for that course.
2. Do Step 1 for each of the courses you took that semester. 
3. Divide the total honor points by the total credit hours.  This is your GPA for that semester. 

To unofficially calculate your cumulative or overall GPA"

1. Follow Steps 1 and 2 above for each semester.
2. Total the credit hours from all semesters, total the honor points from all terms/semesters.
3. Divide the total honor points for all semesters by the total credit hours.  This is the GPA.

Courses using S/U (pass/fail) grading do not count toward GPA.  Also, courses that do not count toward your degree may not be counted in the calculations for your cumulative or overall GPA (see your coordinator or the registrar for more information and clarification).

The meaning of non-letter grades are as follows (as outlined in the current OU Graduate Catalog policies):

• W (Withdraw) grade is assigned by the registrar if a student officially withdraws by the deadline
• I (Incomplete) grade is temporary and only given after the cut-off for W grade.  It is used in case of severe hardship beyond the control of a student that prevents them from completing course requirements and is used only if the student is passing the course.  It is given only upon submission of the "Student Request for Incomplete" form to be completed by the student and formally granted (signed) by the faculty member.  The student must complete the required work within one year or the I grade becomes permanent
• P (Progress) is a temporary grade given in a course that may not be completed in one semester.  Approval must be obtained by the appropriate Committee on Instruction and the OU Graduate School for each P grade.  It is only given for satisfactory work.  P grades must be removed within two calendar years of the date of assignment or they convert to permanent Incomplete (I) grades.

For S/U (pass/fail) courses, HST 6997 and HST 6999, the following non-letter grades are used:

• S (Satisfactory) grade given in certain select courses and is meant to signify a B (3.0) or better.
• U (Unsatisfactory) grade is given to graduate students when a course is graded S/U and is meant to signify a non-passing grade of less than B (3.0).
• SP (Satisfactory Progress) grade is a permanent grade that may be given in selected research courses.  The grade is given for satisfactory progress made toward completion of a thesis or major project.
• NP (Unsatisfactory Progress) grade is a permanent grade that may be given in selected research courses.  The grade is given for unsatisfactory progress toward completion of a thesis or major project. 

Foreign Languages

The M.A. in history does not have a foreign language requirement, but certain fields require students to have proficiency in an appropriate foreign language for graduate-level work.  Students must consult their professors for the language requirements of specific paths of study.  Proficiency in a foreign language is especially necessary for students who aspire to enter doctoral programs after the completion of the M.A. at Oakland University.  M.A. students may enroll in language courses while at Oakland University, but only graduate level courses (5000 or higher) may count toward the M.A. degree.

Meetings with the Graduate Coordinator and Faculty Mentors

Every student is required to meet with the departmental graduate coordinator at least once per academic year after admission to the program, whether or not the student is registered for classes, to review the student's plan of study and assess progress toward degree completion. 

After the completion of 12 credits, students are encouraged to identify one faculty member in the department who agrees to serve as primary mentor and another who will serve as an additional mentor.  Once the faculty have agreed to serve as mentors, the student should inform the graduate coordinator via email.  Students should then meet with their faculty mentors and the graduate coordinator each semester to discuss the plan of study and progress toward the degree. 

The Department of History offers one graduate research assistantship with a stipend and tuition remission for 8 credit hours per fall and winter semester.  

The position is hired for one academic year (fall and winter semesters).  The department begins reviewing applicants for the position on April 15 and fills the position by May 1 for the upcoming fall/winter academic year.  Students can be selected for more than one year. 

The graduate research assistant provides 20 hours of in-person work per week under the supervision of the program coordinator and department chair.  Expected responsibilities and duties include assisting the chair and designated faculty in planning and conducting departmental functions such as speakers' series, conferences, recruitment, and public history events.  Other responsibilities, as cleared by the chair, may include tutoring and writing/research support for undergraduate history majors, or assistance with departmental research projects.  New and current graduate students are eligible to apply.  Please contact the history graduate coordinator by email for more information about the application and selection process.

Information on other Oakland University scholarship and financial aid options is available through the Graduate School: https://www.oakland.edu/grad/financial-assistance/