History, M.A.

Saint Louis University's Master of Arts in History program familiarizes students with the richness of the thought, culture and society of the past. By studying the history of civilization, SLU students become acquainted with all fields in the humanities, as well as developments in other disciplines, such as law, medicine, business and technology.

Program Highlights

• The graduate program in history at Saint Louis University is one of the oldest in the country, granting its first Ph.D. in 1919.

• Today, the tradition of excellence is continued by training students in a variety of historical fields.

• SLU's history program offers students internationally renowned faculty, an outstanding mentoring program and high-quality professional training.

In addition to the M.A. in history, Saint Louis University also offers a Ph.D. in history. 

Curriculum Overview

Master's students in history at SLU choose a specialized area of study from the following concentrations:

• American
• Byzantine-Late Antique
• Early Modern European
• Medieval European
• Modern European
• World History

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

SLU's history program offers students internationally renowned faculty, an outstanding mentoring program and high-quality professional training. History graduate students at SLU also benefit from the rich archival and institutional resources available in St. Louis, including established relationships with sites such as the Jesuit Archives and Research Center, the Missouri Historical Society, Gateway Arch National Park, the Circuit Court Records Project, the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, the Sheldon Galleries, the Contemporary Art Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Historic Landmarks Association. 

Careers

The wide-ranging skills that a student learns while doing a master’s in history can be used not only in teaching and archival work but in government, foreign affairs, business, the law, the arts and many other professions. Our graduate students have the opportunity to train for diverse careers that use their research and communication skills. Recent graduates work in both the public and private sectors in jobs that focus on such diverse contexts as educational policy, health care administration, and sales. We will prepare you for a career that makes use of your talents.

Admission Requirements

The prerequisite is a B.A. in history, though students from other fields with strong backgrounds in history will also receive consideration. 

Language Requirements

Proof of competency in one non-English language is required through a written examination administered by the department or successful completion of graduate translation courses.

Application Procedures

• An official transcript of undergraduate record and, for applicants to the Ph.D. program, graduate record
• A current resume
• Three letters of recommendation assessing potential in graduate studies
• A letter of intent describing professional and intellectual goals, and interest in graduate studies. The letter should include the specific field of historical study, a vision of how to contribute to existing research and criticism in an area of interest; and the SLU faculty members interested in working with. While plans may well change due to further study, the statement will help the department assess the grasp of the field and the ability to describe ideas coherently and compellingly.
• A 15- to 20-page writing sample which demonstrates competence in historical writing and analysis, and which may be an excerpt from a longer piece.
• Completed applications with all admission and financial aid materials must be received by Jan. 15. Students are not admitted in the spring or summer semester.

Requirements for International Students 

All Saint Louis University admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students applying to SLU must also meet the following additional requirements:

• Demonstrate English language proficiency
• Academic records must include an English translation. Unofficial copies may be accepted in some cases for initial admission review, however official copies must be received prior to enrollment. Course-by-course transcript evaluations are accepted. 

Students must submit financial documents to be issued an I-20 for their F-1 visa application. Proof of financial support must include:

• A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at Saint Louis University
• A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University

Application and Assistantship Deadline

Submit an application for the following fall semester by Jan. 15.

Review Process

A standing graduate applicant review committee meets just after the expiration of the application deadline. The committee reviews each item of every complete application. The committee makes its applicant selections by the beginning of March.

Tuition

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships, Assistantships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, apply by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award. 

Explore Scholarships and Financial Aid Options

1. Demonstrate research skills in archival and published primary sources, as well as field work.
2. Demonstrate advanced analysis of historiographic interpretation, and knowledge of the state of major and minor fields of study.
3. Demonstrate an advanced historical knowledge of major and minor fields of study.
4. Demonstrate current knowledge of interpretive methods and theories.
5. Demonstrate cohesive organization and effective argumentation.

Non Course Requirements

• Competency in one non-English language, to be verified by written examination.
• A two-hour written comprehensive exam and a one-hour oral exam for the M.A.; a one-hour oral thesis presentation for M.A. research. (For students continuing on to the Ph.D., no exam or thesis is necessary.)

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

American Concentration

Early Modern European Concentration

Late Antique/Byzantine Concentration

Medieval European Concentration

Modern European Concentration

World History Concentration

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

American History Concentration

Early Modern European Concentration

Late Antique/Byzantine Concentration

Medieval European Concentration

Modern European Concentration

World History Concentration

For more information about history graduate study at SLU, please email history@slu.edu or call 314-977-2910 in order to be connected to the current graduate program coordinator.