The M.A. Program in History at Virginia Commonwealth University offers students diverse opportunities to further their education, to establish professional credentials, to prepare for entry into doctoral programs, and to enrich their knowledge of history.

VCU is a public, urban, research university located in historic Richmond, VA. It's diverse student body of nearly 30,000 students is recruited nationally and internationally.

Richmond, serving as the location of the Library of Virginia, the Virginia Historical Society and other research respositories, provides a unique "laboratory" for historians. Richmond offers an excellent opportunity for study of the history of the South, urban history, Colonial-American history and numerous other subject areas. The National Archives, the Library of Congress and other research libraries are about two hours away, facilitating study and research in European as well as American history. Many museums, libraries, historic sites and other institutions in and near Richmond also afford excellent opportunities for internships.

The M.A. in History may be achieved through one of two options: thesis or non-thesis track.  The thesis track requires 30 semester credits, of which six credits will be thesis research and writing.  The non-thesis track requires 36 semester credits including at least six credits in research-level seminars and an oral comprehensive examination.  All students must take "HIST 601 Historiography and Methodology" as a pre-requisite or co-requisite for all research courses.  Full-time students can complete the program in two academic years; part-time student completion time will vary.

PUBLIC HISTORY

In addition to a solid grounding in the academic study of history, the M.A. program also offers a pubilc history component to prepare students for careers in this expanding field. Students are introduced in the classroom to a wide variety of historical work, such as documentary editing, museum exhibitions, historic site management and archival administration. The more than 50 museums, archives, historic sites and other institutions in and near Richmond afford excellent opportunities for students to earn academic credit and gain hands-on experience in public history through semester-long internships.

 

Application to the MA in History is made through the School of Graduate Studies, with applications accepted for summer and fall.

Admission requirements summary for an MA in History

Admission Criteria: Normally thirty hours of undergraduate history courses, of which 18 should be at the upper division level; a GPA indicative of the ability to pursue successfully a graduate degree; three recommendations from persons qualified to provide information concerning the applicant’s probable success in graduate school; satisfactory completion of the Graduate Record Examination; and submission of a written statement of intent, indicating why the applicant wishes to pursue a graduate degree in history.  A personal interview is not required, but may be requested by either the applicant or the department’s Graduate Affairs Committee.

History faculty has received national and international recognition in its scholarly research and publishing, while maintaining a strong commitment to students and teaching. The department has particular strengths in Southern history, and modern U.S. and European history.

Current graduate student interests range from Colonial to20th-century America and medieval to modern German history.  Students have held internships at such institutions as the Black History Museum, the Library of Virginia, the Museum of the Confederacy and the Virginia Historical Society.

Graduate student research has involved the study of women and public welfare, Reconstruction-era politicians, African-Americans and the Peninsula Campaign, a 17th-century critic of slavery, and the wives of Confederate generals.  Thesis research in European history includes conservative intellectuals and Nazism and the customs of Norman kings.

Several graduate teaching assistantships are available to qualified History graduate students. They cover tuition and pay the student a stipend as well, but do not include fees.  The stipend is approximately $10,400.  Applicants for a GTA should declare their candidacy in the personal statement submitted with their admission applications.  They should describe their qualifications and explain how a GTA will help them fulfill their educational goals.  The Financial Aid Office will assist with various other means of financing graduate study at VCU.

A complete list of all graduate course offerings appears on the History Courses page of this site. 

For course offerings in any given semester, please consult the Schedule of Classes.

• Click here for Theses and dissertation guidelines.
• Read this before preparing your prospectus: Thesis-Track, Non-Thesis Track
• Sample prospectus Click here
• Graduation and Commencement Information Click here

Professor Timothy N. Thurber , Director of Graduate Studies in History, 804.828.4760.   For applications, contact Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Graduate Studies, P.O. Box 843051; Richmond, VA 23284-3051:  804-828-6916.