American History Requirements
The formal degree requirements are the completion of 30 credits, including the Craft of History (56:512:550), Issues in Public History (56:512:531), the Colloquium in Comparative History (56:512:529), and 21 credits in American history colloquia, at least 6 of which must be research-focused colloquia. The two research-focused courses are parts of year-long sequences in which each of the research colloquium semesters comes directly after students have taken a readings colloquium on the same period or theme. Each year-long readings and research sequence will be taught by the same professor.
The program has five core chronological courses covering American/US history: America 1607-1763, America/U.S. 1763-1820, U.S. 1820-1898, U.S. 1898-1945, U.S. 1945-Present. Students in the American History track are required to take three of these five courses (though they are welcome to take more) as part of the required 21 credits of history colloquia. Passing a comprehensive oral examination is the final degree requirement.
In addition to the 30-credit degree program, students may choose to write an M.A. thesis by enrolling in a 2-credit independent readings course.
American Legal History Requirements
The formal degree requirements are the completion of 30 credits, including the Craft of History (56:512:550), Issues in Public History (56:512:531), the Colloquium in Comparative History (56:512:529), 9 credits in legal history courses (which may be taken in the School of Law), and 12 credits in American history colloquia. Students are required to write two research papers, one drawn from their Legal History coursework and the second done in a year-long sequence in which a readings course is followed by a research seminar covering the same period or theme. Passing a comprehensive oral examination is the final degree requirement.
In addition to the 30-credit degree program, students may choose to write a M.A. thesis by enrolling in a 2-credit independent readings course.
Public History Requirements
The formal degree requirements are the completion of 33 credits, including the Craft of History (56:512:550), Issues in Public History (56:512:531), the Colloquium in Comparative History (56:512:529), 9 credits in public history electives, a 3-credit public history internship, and 15 credits in American history colloquia, in which two courses must consist of a one-year readings colloquium connected to a research colloquium covering the same time period or theme. A second required research project for Public History students will be completed within their 9 credit hours of public history coursework. Passing a comprehensive oral examination is the final degree requirement.
In addition to the 33-credit degree program, students may choose to write a M.A. thesis by enrolling in a 2-credit independent readings course.
Grade Policy
The History Department reserves the right to remove a student from the program after a second grade below the B level. The History Department will count only one grade below the B level for credit towards the Master’s Degree.
Comprehensive Oral Examination
The final requirement for all graduate students is a one-hour oral examination during which the student will respond to questions provided well in advance by a committee of three members of the History graduate faculty. The student is allowed to bring only a copy of the questions into the exam. If, for some reason, a student feels that he or she cannot take this final exam in the format as described, the student must consult with the director of the graduate program about possible alternative methods of examination no later than two weeks after the student is informed of the date set for the oral examination. (Oral exams are usually scheduled months in advance.)
General Requirements
Up to 6 credits may be earned in advanced undergraduate (300-400 level) courses at Rutgers. Up to 9 graduate credits (with grades of B or better) may be transferred from other institutions with the approval of the graduate program director.
Full-time, matriculated graduate students in good standing may take up to 6 credits of their elective courses from other Rutgers graduate programs with the approval of their adviser and the graduate program director. Specific courses in the M.A. program in English, the Master of Public Administration program, and the J.D. program of the School of Law-Camden are appropriate choices for such cross-registration.
Transfer Credits
Graduate courses completed at other institutions may be accepted for credit at the university. Students are allowed to transfer in a maximum of one-third of the credits required for their degree. The limit is 10 credits for 30-credit programs and 14 credits for 42-credit programs. The number is the maximum allowed for transfer into the Graduate School-Camden.
For more information about the History graduate program, send an e-mail request to ude.sregtur.nedmacnull@namknahS