Graduate Students

Why Pursue a Master’s Degree in History

The MA in History provides students with advanced analytical, writing, and research skills that graduates can employ in an array of careers. With courses in the histories of both the United States and other regions of the world, graduate students work with UTSA’s accomplished faculty to learn the methods of professional historians, to read and critically assess historical scholarship from multiple subfields, and to undertake original research projects. Our program prepares students for successful careers in public history, education, and government, among other fields, and for further study at the doctoral level.

UTSA Admissions

Admission Requirements

Applications are submitted through the UT San Antonio Graduate Application. Please upload all required documents (listed below) on your UT San Antonio Graduate Application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure completion and submission of the application, a nonrefundable application fee, and all required supporting documents are on file with UT San Antonio by the appropriate application deadline.

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History (MA)
	Required Degree	Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or have proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution.
	Minimum GPA	3.2 or better (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 hours of undergraduate education or a 3.2 in graduate work; and a grade point average of 3.2 or better in all History courses taken.
	Coursework	12 upper-division semester credit hours in history or in related areas as determined by the Graduate Program Committee; or demonstration of equivalent experience.
	Transcripts*	Required from all institutions attended; international transcripts must be recorded/translated to English
	Credential Evaluation	Required if you have earned university-level credit from foreign institutions. Submit an evaluation of your transcripts from FCSA or any NACES-approved credential evaluation agency.
	English Language Proficiency	79 TOEFL iBT / 6.5 IELTS / Duolingo 100 For exams taken on or after January 21, 2026: We require a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 4.0.
	Purpose Statement	Required
	Letters of Recommendation	2 from professors who have taught you in history (or related) courses. If you have not taken college courses in recent years then you may request letters from employers or colleagues who can comment on your potential for success in graduate-level history courses. The deadline for receipt of letters is the same as the deadline for receipt of other application materials.
	Writing Sample	Required: The writing sample should demonstrate your ability to write analytically about primary and/or secondary sources in history.
*Unofficial transcripts will be taken into consideration for admissions; however, if admitted into the program, you must submit official transcripts to the University.

Graduate Course Work (30 credit hours)

The following courses are required for graduation with an M.A. in History from U.T.S.A.

3 credit hours HIS 5003 Introduction to History Theories and Methods (required your first semester in the program)
3 credit hours in Historical Practices
6 credit hours in either Sequence I or II (see box below)
18 credit hours of electives, chosen in conjunction with your graduate advisor

Sequences

Graduate students have two different paths to choose from as they complete their graduate course work. They are outlined below:

Sequence I - Both courses taken the same year

3 credit hours HIS 6813 Proseminar in History (HIS 5003 is a prerequisite)
3 credit hours HIS 6903 Research Seminar in History

Sequence II - Course enrolled in twice

6 credit hours HIS 6983 Thesis option (Students must be enrolled in HIS 6983 the semester they graduate and the thesis must be completed in accordance to university guidelines. See your graduate advisor early if pursuing this option)

Public History Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Public History provides advanced training to take advantage of the growing popularity of public history as a career field. All the details can be found here. Be sure to apply for the certificate directly!

Public History Graduate Certificate