History, MA

The Department of History has strengths in Atlantic Canada, East Asia, the Americas, Britain and Europe from the 16th century to the present.   Research areas include:

• imperialism
• nationalism and colonialism
• law and society
• emigration and immigration
• health, leisure, sport and tourism
• social, political and intellectual movements
• public, community and oral history

The one-year M.A. program in History at Saint Mary’s combines course work and thesis research and caters to both full and part time students.

Admission Requirements

The MA in History follows the general admission requirements and procedures of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research as outlined in the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.  In addition:

1. To be eligible for admission to the M.A. in History, applicants are normally required to possess a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours in History, or its equivalent, from a recognized university or college. Candidates with other types of qualifications should contact the Graduate Coordinator of the Department of History before submitting an application.
2. Applicants to the M.A. in History are asked to submit with their application forms a thesis research proposal, a writing sample, a curriculum vitæ, and a list of any scholarly awards, publications or conference papers.
3. As part of the application process each student accepted into the program is assigned to a Supervisor who is the main point of contact for researching and writing the thesis. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Graduate Coordinator before formally applying to the Program to confirm their eligibility and the availability of potential supervisors.
4. The deadlines for receipt of applications for those requesting fellowships or financial assistance is February 1.  The final deadline for applications is 15 May.

Financial Support

Full-time students admitted to the program may be eligible for funding administered by Saint Mary’s University. Funding recommendations are made by the program. All successful applicants are automatically considered for graduate funding. Students are encouraged to apply for external funding including the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council’s Joseph-Armand Bombardier Master’s Graduate Scholarship.

Note: Students not registered in any course work but working on their Program/Thesis must register in Program Continuation (Prog Registration/Continuation (FGSR 9000)) for every semester (including summer) in which they are in their graduate program.

See the FGSR Program Requirements in the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar and below.

Program requirements specific to the M.A. in History include:

1. Candidates must complete nine (9) History credit hours at the 6000 level in addition to Seminar in Advanced Historiography (HIST 6650) and Thesis Research (HIST 6690). The program of each student must be approved by the Department.
2. All Master of Arts candidates in History, whether studying on a full or part-time basis, must register for Seminar in Advanced Historiography (HIST 6650) and Thesis Research (HIST 6690) in their first semester.
3. To graduate, students will be required to demonstrate a reading knowledge of at least one language other than English. (The Department will accept the equivalent of a satisfactory grade in Saint Mary's 1000-level undergraduate language course). French is normally required of students intending to write a thesis on any aspect of Canadian history.
4. The subject of the thesis must be decided in consultation with the thesis advisor.
5. Upon completion of the thesis, the student undertakes an oral defence open to all members of the university community. Two months prior to this defence, the Department of History will select a thesis examination committee. Student requests for particular examiners will be considered, but cannot be guaranteed.