Master of Arts (MA) Thesis-based in History
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In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements and Faculty of Arts requirements, the Department requires:
a) A minimum of 15 units of coursework:
course (3 units); plus
12 units of History graduate courses over two terms; in instances where there are no graduate courses being offered in the student's field of study, students may, with approval of the supervisor and graduate program director, take one 500-level undergraduate History course on the understanding that extra coursework will be required.
Students may choose 3 units outside of the Department (requiring approval from the supervisor and graduate program director).
Students in the History and Philosophy of Science specialization may, with approval of the supervisor and graduate program director, take Philosophy courses to fulfill course requirements for the degree.
b) Normally, a demonstration of reading proficiency in a language other than English and related to the major field of study prior to the oral thesis defence. Please refer to the subsection below for further details.
c) Completion and successful oral defense of an original thesis, normally around 30,000 words in length (including notes, charts, tables and appendices, but excluding bibliography).
Language Requirements
Both the master's and the doctoral degrees normally require a demonstration of reading proficiency in a language other than English and related to the major field of study or research area. This requirement can be met in one of the following ways:
1. Passing the Department language exam, which is set twice a year and tests the ability to understand the general meaning of an academic text in a language other than English with the help of dictionaries (English and language which is examined). It can be repeated if failed.
2. Documentation establishing reading proficiency in a language other than English. It is the responsibility of the student to supply evidence of reading proficiency or evidence that course work in a language other than English at another university meets the requirement. Students not meeting the requirement upon entry should consult with the graduate program director before classes begin.
Students may, with permission of the supervisor and the graduate program director, replace reading proficiency with oral proficiency.
Copyediting
The graduate program in the Department of History does not permit the use of third-party editors in the preparation of papers and theses.
Advanced Credit
The applicant must make advanced credit requests as part of the admission process. Credit will not be given for course work taken as part of another completed degree/diploma or for courses taken to bring the grade point average to a required level for admission.
Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade)
The Department of History will allow students to pursue the Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade) for courses offered outside of the program.
Students may choose the CG grade for a course taken extra to load.
The use of the CG grade will not affect students’ eligibility for internal awards.
Credit for Undergraduate Courses
Students enrolled in the Master of Arts thesis program may apply for no more than one 500-level course for graduate credit, subject to the approval of the Supervisor and Graduate Program Director. Graduate students taking a 500-level course for graduate credit will be required to complete additional assignments.
Time Limit
Expected completion time is two years, and maximum completion time is four years.
Supervisory Assignments
Admission to the Master of Arts (thesis-based) is dependent upon the agreement of a faculty member to supervise in an interim capacity. Upon acceptance into the program, students are assigned an interim supervisor who will normally become the permanent supervisor three months into the student's program. Supervisors must be assigned within 6 months of the first registration.
Thesis Examination
In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements for Thesis Examinations, the Department requires:
Final thesis oral examinations are open.
Scheduling of the Examination
All members of the Supervisory Committee must have reviewed the student’s research, including a relevant written sample of the materials related to the thesis, before an examination can be scheduled.
Composition of the Committee
The Internal Examiner may be internal to the home program.
Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar.
Students applying for scholarships must submit their online applications to the Department by the deadline posted on the department website.