Graduate Students

The MA in History provides students with advanced analytical, writing, and research skills that graduates can employ in an array of careers. Focusing in either U.S. or world history, 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

M.A. in History Course Requirements

Admission Requirements

The university has its own requirements for any graduate program. The following courses are required before your apply to the M.A. in History program at U.T.S.A. specifically. See the Graduate Course Catalog for 2023-2025 for more details.

18 upper-division courses in a field with significant historical content or demonstration of equivalent experience
GPA of 3.2 or better in last 60 credit hours completed in undergraduate work or 3.2 in graduate work
Submission of the official application to the program
Official transcripts from undergraduate or graduate work completed
A 500 word statement describing how the M.A. degree will advance personal and/or professional goals
A writing sample under 5,000 words that demonstrates an ability to analyze and use primary or secondary sources in an historical argument
Two letters of recommendation, at least one should be from a faculty member

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