Exploring the Graduate History Programs at the University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) offers comprehensive graduate programs in History, leading to both Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. These programs are designed to equip students with critical thinking, research, and writing skills, preparing them for diverse careers in academia, museums, and various professions requiring analytical and adaptive capabilities.

Master of Arts in History

The History Department provides a Master of Arts degree with emphasis on United States, European, Latin American, African, Asian, or World History. Students can opt for a thesis or non-thesis program, each with distinct requirements.

Thesis Program

Students in the thesis program choose a primary and secondary area of emphasis. The primary area is selected from United States, European, Latin American, Asian, African, or World History. The secondary area can be another of these subject areas or a topical field related to a specific region or historical phenomenon. Thesis students must also demonstrate proficiency in a research skill, which can be reading proficiency in a foreign language or proficiency in quantitative methods, as determined by the graduate committee. This aligns with the university's general requirement of proficiency in one foreign language, demonstrated through a 202-level language course or equivalent.

Non-Thesis Program

The non-thesis program is tailored for students aiming for secondary education or seeking a broad historical understanding. The secondary area of emphasis must be from a geographic region different from the primary field.

General Requirements for the M.A.

Each student must form a graduate committee of three graduate faculty members to oversee their progress, conduct a written comprehensive examination, and an oral defense. At least two committee members must be from the History Department's graduate faculty. The comprehensive examination covers both primary and secondary fields, with the format and timing determined by the graduate committee.

Accelerated Program

The History Department also offers an accelerated program for undergraduate students, allowing them to complete a Master of Arts in History with an additional year of study. Students can enroll in up to 9 hours of graduate courses during their undergraduate studies, which count towards both degrees. To be eligible, students need 60 hours of graded coursework and 15 hours in history, maintaining a GPA of 3.5 in both. Admission depends on completing HI 3903 with a grade of B or better. Applicants must submit a graduate application, a statement of purpose, transcripts, and two letters of recommendation from history faculty. After completing the undergraduate degree, students are admitted into the regular graduate program, provided they have not received a grade lower than a C in any graduate course or more than one C in undergraduate courses.

Doctor of Philosophy in History

The History Department offers a Ph.D. degree with a primary emphasis in either United States or European History.

Fields of Emphasis

Students choose a primary field in either United States or European History and prepare for examination in four fields. A third field is drawn from the department’s core areas: International Security and Internal Safety, History of Science and Technology, Agricultural, Rural, and Environment History, or Race, Identity, Gender, and Region. The final field can be a topical or regional field or a discipline outside history, requiring at least 12 hours of coursework.

Coursework and Credit Hours

The department typically expects students to complete at least 60 hours of coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree, including 40 classroom hours and 20 research hours. Credit earned during a master’s degree, either at Mississippi State or elsewhere (up to 20 hours), may satisfy doctoral program requirements if relevant and approved by the student’s graduate committee.

Research Skill

Ph.D. candidates must demonstrate proficiency in at least one research skill by the end of their fourth semester. This can be achieved through a reading knowledge of a foreign language or proficiency in another research skill relevant to their field. Completion of HI 8923 at Mississippi State and two research seminars is also required.

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Graduate Committee and Comprehensive Examinations

Each student must have a graduate committee of at least four graduate faculty members, chaired by a faculty member from the student’s major field. This chair typically becomes the dissertation director. The committee includes a second reader and at least two other members. Full-time students usually take comprehensive examinations within three years of enrollment, while part-time students should do so within four years. Students must complete all or be within 6 hours of completing all coursework, fulfill the research skill requirement, and meet all other departmental and Graduate School requirements.

The comprehensive examination consists of four written exams, each taken over one day within a two-week period. The student’s committee determines whether the written exams warrant proceeding to the oral examination. If a student fails either part of the exam, they may retake it after four months.

Dissertation

After passing comprehensive examinations, students must submit a dissertation proposal for approval by their graduate committee. The proposal includes the topic, historical question, hypothesis, and sources. The dissertation committee for the dissertation need not be identical to the committee that conducted the comprehensive examination. The dissertation must demonstrate the candidate’s mastery of research methods and make an original contribution to scholarship.

Additional Opportunities

Diversity Certificate Program

The University of Mississippi also offers a Diversity Certificate Program, designed to provide students with multicultural knowledge and skills for navigating a diverse workforce. The program requires students to take courses from History, Sociology, Gender Studies, and African American Studies. This interdisciplinary approach aims to foster critical thinking about race, ethnicity, social class, religion, and gender. Applicants must be graduates of accredited undergraduate institutions and be admitted by The Graduate School.

Faculty and Research

The Department of History boasts faculty with expertise in various areas of American history and other regions worldwide. They strive to develop students' skills as thinkers, writers, workers, and citizens. The department invites speakers to campus, offers internships and research opportunities, and helps students prepare for graduate studies and the job market. Faculty research areas include American history and most other regions of the world. Recent faculty achievements include publications and awards, highlighting the department's commitment to scholarly excellence.

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Admission Requirements

The History Department seeks applicants with a strong academic record. A GPA of 3.00 overall or in the last two years of undergraduate study is expected. Applicants should have a minimum of 18 hours of undergraduate history courses for graduate programs and 12 hours for a graduate minor. Ph.D. applicants are encouraged to submit GRE scores and must submit a writing sample. International students must present a TOEFL score of 550 or higher, unless they have degrees from an American institution or are from countries where English is the primary language. The applicant's statement of purpose is a major factor in admissions decisions, and applicants should explain their field(s) of interest.

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