History, MA

The Master of Arts in History program at UCCS offers students a comprehensive education on the history of various regions, periods, and historical approaches. The program consists of three distinct sequences, and students can customize their program to highlight specific thematic or theoretical interests.

The program prepares students for advanced historical research through the completion of three primary-source-based papers that make well-supported arguments grounded in historiography and theory. This process also develops human-centered skills that set graduates apart in the age of AI, including critical thinking, complex problem-solving, ethical and analytical reasoning, research and information synthesis, intercultural and emotional intelligence, and advanced written and oral communication. Students also build the adaptability and project-management skills needed to turn complex ideas into meaningful work.

The Master of Arts in History program at UCCS focuses on the study of various regions, time periods, and historical approaches. Students are exposed to a breadth of topics and can customize their program to highlight specific thematic or theoretical interests.

Graduates of the program can apply their skills in various fields, such as presenting their work at academic conferences, teaching at universities, community colleges, and K-12 schools, and engaging in professional work (internships) at museums, archives, and other organizations.

History MA students at UCCS learn core competencies through their course of study. Students develop these competencies in various ways in different History classes. Students completing an MA in History will be able to:

• Articulate arguments, critical analysis, and complexity of reasoning in writing and oral discussion. 
• Use, integrate, and discuss primary source evidence effectively in writing and oral discussion, based on an understanding of the methods of historical research and analysis.
• Use, integrate, and discuss secondary sources and historiography effectively in writing and oral discussion, based on an understanding of the methods of historical research and analysis.
• Use, integrate, and discuss methodological, conceptual and theoretical approaches effectively in writing and oral discussion.
• Demonstrate clarity of thought and critical thinking in the organization, form, framing, and development of arguments.
• Use proper writing mechanics, appropriate authoritative voice, and active verbs/sentence structures. 

Required Credit Hours: 30

HIST 6000: Historiography (3 credits)

• Required course offered every fall semester. Examines the history of historical writing and the ways historians research, assemble, and analyze evidence. It is highly recommended that students take this course during their first year.

Three (3) History Sequences (21 credits total)

• Each sequence consists of a Readings course (3 credits) and a Research course (4 credits).  These courses are taken over two consecutive semesters with the same professor and same cohort. 
  • Readings courses explore key themes, historiography, and sources for a region or topic.
  • Research courses guide students in producing a 25-30 page, primary-source-based research paper.
• Across the three sequences, students will complete three major papers that form the core of their final MA portfolio.

ELECTIVE (3 credits) OR HIST 6995 (3 credits): Graduate Internship in History

• Elective: One upper-division or graduate-level elective in History or another discipline. The course must be taught by a member of the Graduate Faculty, and prior approval from the Director of Graduate Studies must be obtained before enrolling. 
• HIST 6995: Students are encouraged to fulfill their elective through HIST 6995, which places students in museums, archives, historical societies, and other nonprofit organizations throughout the city and region. The internship is especially recommended for students seeking applied experience and opportunities to build professional networks. 
• Eligible elective course or HIST 6995 may be completed during the summer.

HIST 9601: Graduate Capstone (3 credits)

• Required course taken in the student’s final semester. Although enrollment is this course is with a single primary professor, students continue to receive guidance from all three Readings/Research professors to polish their portfolio. The capstone culminates in a successful oral defense before the same three professors.
• For more detailed information about the timeline, requirements and oral defense, download this syllabus. 

View Course Offerings for upcoming course information.

UCCS graduate students learn from faculty whose expertise spans the globe and ranges from the ancient world to the present day. Their interests include the histories of Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and the United States, as well as topics such as migration, empire, cities, citizenship, gender, religion, warfare, genocide, and the arts. This wide range of expertise gives students the opportunity to explore history from many perspectives while working closely with faculty who support their academic and professional goals.

Graduate students are those who have already completed a Bachelor's Degree and are pursuing a Master's, Doctoral, Graduate Certificate, or Graduate Non-Degree program. We also accept applications for non-degree seeking graduate students who wish to take courses but aren't planning on completing a degree or certificate program at UCCS. International students interested in UCCS Graduate School programs should also use this application.