COURSE CURRICULUM

Wichita State University’s Master of Arts (MA) in History offers three structured pathways—thesis, nonthesis, and local/community history—allowing students to tailor their graduate study according to academic and professional goals while maintaining a strong foundation in historical research, analysis, and writing. All options begin with core training in historical methodology through HIST 725 Advanced Historical Methods, which develops essential research skills, source evaluation techniques, and historiographical understanding. In the thesis program (31 credit hours), students also complete HIST 727 Readings in History, advanced seminars in American or European history (HIST 730A–Z and HIST 733A–Z), and additional 500- and 600-level history electives, ensuring both breadth and depth across historical fields. A significant research component is required through HIST 802 Thesis, where students produce an original scholarly work and defend it through an oral examination, following written and oral comprehensive exams in a chosen field and demonstrating language competency. The nonthesis program (33 credit hours) replaces the thesis requirement with broader coursework, including HIST 727, expanded seminar participation, and additional electives, while requiring written comprehensive examinations in two historical fields such as U.S. history, modern Europe, the ancient and medieval worlds, or local and community history. This option is ideal for students seeking broader academic preparation or professional careers without a major research thesis. The local and community history focus allows students to engage more directly with regional historical projects, public history initiatives, and archival work. Across all pathways, applied learning is a required component of the degree, with thesis students meeting this through HIST 725 and HIST 802, while nonthesis students fulfill it through HIST 725 alone. This structure ensures that all graduates gain hands-on experience in historical inquiry, critical thinking, and applied research. Overall, the program emphasizes both academic rigor and practical engagement, preparing students for careers in education, public history, museums, archives, government service, and doctoral study in history and related fields.