A master’s degree program in history teaches you to interpret historical evidence, connect events and ideas, think critically and communicate effectively. Through this engaging graduate program, you will benefit from quality instruction and mentorship from UNK history faculty who care about your academic and professional success. A combination of history coursework and research along with opportunities to collaborate and network will prepare you to excel in your career.

The program includes thesis, non-thesis or public history options to fit your interests, whether for positions in education, business, law, government or further graduate studies.

Students interested in pursuing the thesis option must do the following:

Obtain a Letter of Agreement from a history faculty member who agrees to serve as thesis advisor.
Submit to the graduate chair and receive approval of a Thesis Prospectus that outlines the proposed thesis topic.
Submit "Proposed Supervisory Committee for Thesis" form.
Successfully defend their completed thesis in an oral defense to be conducted by the student's thesis committee.
A completed thesis must be submitted for the approval of the thesis committee within two years from the completion of the course work. This time requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Department's Graduate Committee.

The thesis committee shall consist of a minimum of three members:

The candidate's thesis advisor who will serve as chair;
a member representing the candidate's major discipline (generally from the degree granting institution); and
a third member representing a related field selected at large from the University of Nebraska Graduate Faculty.

Program Requirements

At least half of the course work in each program (excluding thesis credit hours) must be completed in non-P courses.
Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in all graduate credit hours to graduate.

Master of Arts in History Admission Criteria

Admission to the History MA program is based on undergraduate GPA, letter of intent, letters of recommendation, and a writing sample. An applicant interested in pursuing a MA in History should1:

1. Meet the requirements for admission set forth by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research,
2. Have completed an undergraduate program containing at least 18 semester credit hours of history,
3. Have a 3.25 undergraduate GPA or submit GRE scores,
4. Submit to the Graduate Chair a letter of intent that describes the applicant's interests and goals in obtaining a graduate degree,
5. Submit to the Graduate Chair evidence of the writing and analytical skills necessary for graduate level course work,
6. Submit to the Graduate Chair at least two letters of recommendation.

Tuition fee-2 years$26,000

Total fee-2 years$52,000