History (MA) - Co-op option available

Location(s): Main Campus

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Master of Arts in History
Master of Arts in History, Co-op Option

Program Website: History

Faculty and Administration

For a listing of program faculty and administrative contacts, please visit the program directory.

Program Description

The Master of Arts in History provides students with a specialized program of study that balances hands-on faculty mentorship, experiential learning, and public engagement. Our courses are organized around fields of concentration based on student interests, in a specialized Master’s degree program in History consistent with the excellence and dedication of the faculty who teach it. The program develops students’ critical analysis of both primary and secondary sources, includes foundational cohort-wide courses that explore historiography and methodology, and encourages students to engage in vibrant debates in their study of history.

The standard History MA stream allows students to complete either a Major Research Paper (MRP) or a thesis.

A Co-op stream allows students to apply and to stretch their skills with work placements, while also enriching their research and communication skills.

Admission Requirements

Successful completion of an Honours Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in History with an average of not less than 75%. Students with a co-major in History or a degree with significant History content will be considered on a case-by-case basis, although such students may be required to take additional undergraduate courses.

Applicants required to demonstrate English language proficiency must meet the standard minimum requirements established for graduate-level study.

The History Department’s Graduate Program Committee will review all applications and recommend admission for a limited number of candidates.

Part-time study is available.

Degree Requirements

The major research paper stream is designed to normally be completed in twelve months (three terms). The thesis stream is designed to normally be completed in twenty-four months (six terms). The completion time for part-time students will vary with the candidate’s circumstances.

For a full list of graduate course offerings by subject area, please refer to the Courses tab in the navigation menu.

Thesis Option

Total credits: 4.0

Each student enrolled in HIST 5F90 must defend their thesis at a public oral examination.

HIST 5F90 - MA Thesis
HIST 5P01 - Introduction to Historiography
HIST 5P02 - Research Methods
HIST 5P03 - The History Seminar
HIST 5P04 - The History Seminar II
Two half-credit HIST courses numbered 5(alpha)00 or above

Major Research Paper

Total credits: 5.0

HIST 5F80 - Major Research Paper
HIST 5P01 - Introduction to Historiography
HIST 5P02 - Research Methods
HIST 5P03 - The History Seminar
HIST 5P04 - The History Seminar II
Four half-credit HIST courses numbered 5(alpha)00 or above

Co-op

The Co-op option is available to students pursuing the Major Research Paper. The Co-op option is not open to Thesis students.

In addition to the MRP requirements above, students will also take work-placement seminars (HIST 5N90 ), comprised of lectures, presentations and industry specific information, for two hours each week prior to the first co-op work term.

The work placement is normally eight months, though two four-month placements may be approved; in either case, students must register for and pass both work placement courses (HIST 5N01 and HIST 5N02 ).

In addition to the current fees for courses in academic study terms, Co-op students are assessed an administrative fee (see the Fees page in the Graduate Calendar).