In addition to the Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, the Department requires:
Master of Arts (thesis-based)
a) A minimum of one year of full-time study at the University of Calgary. Normally, students complete the program in two calendar years.
b) Fifteen units (2.5 full-course equivalents) (including History 690) in two semesters of course work. Master's students will complete their coursework through regularly offered History seminars. See hist.ucalgary.ca/research for faculty research areas.
Students in the History and Philosophy of Science specialization are required to take courses in the relevant departments. Candidates enrolled in the Department of History are expected to work with more than one instructor in History.
Students must take one seminar course (3 units or 0.5 full-course equivalent) in a field unrelated to the student's research interests. In instances where there are no seminars being offered in the student's research field, students may, with permission of the chair of graduate studies, take one 500-level undergraduate seminar but on the understanding that extra course work will be required.
c) A thesis of 80 to 150 pages, including notes, charts, tables and appendices, but excluding bibliography. Students begin thesis preparation as they undertake their course work and may fulfill the requirements for their Master of Arts degree in twelve months.
d) A demonstration of reading knowledge of a second language related to the major field of study prior to the oral thesis defence.
Master of Arts (course-based)
a) Normally, students complete the program in one year of full-time study at the University of Calgary. Students enrolling on a part-time basis are expected to complete the requirements by the end of the Winter Term of their fourth year in the program.
b) A minimum of 18 units (3.0 full-course equivalents), including History 690, in regularly offered History graduate seminars in the Fall and Winter terms; 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalents) may be senior undergraduate courses at the 500 level (but on the understanding that extra course work will be required).
c) Completion of History 651 in the Spring Term as preparation for the Major Research Essay (MRE).
d) Completion of History 653 in the Summer Term, in which a 30- to 40-page MRE is written, modelled on a scholarly research article. The MRE is marked by the student's advisor and an additional faculty member.
e) A demonstration of reading knowledge of a second language related to the student's research interests before the MRE can be accepted.
f) Students enrolled on a part-time basis must complete at least 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) per semester in the Fall and Winter terms.
Doctor of Philosophy
a) A minimum of two years of full-time study at the University of Calgary.
b) Twelve units (2.0 full-course equivalents) at the graduate level, including courses in the primary and secondary areas. These courses include:
- Three units (0.5 full-course equivalent) in the primary area as a History 791 reading course;
- Three units (0.5 full-course equivalent) in the secondary area as a History 791 reading course;
- Six additional units (1.0 full-course equivalent) including History 690 (3 units), if not completed in your MA program. Among these, the student may also choose 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) outside the Department (requiring the supervisor's approval).
The areas will be defined in detail by the supervisor and the student in consultation with the Supervisory Committee and must be approved by the Department Graduate Studies Committee. The availability of secondary areas and thematic courses will depend on faculty members' expertise. Each of a student's areas must be taught by a different faculty member or as defined by the committee. During the candidacy examination, the student will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the primary and secondary areas as well as their particular field of research. The secondary area will be selected from an area of history outside of the primary area.
Primary Areas: Canada; History of Science and Medicine; Latin America; Medieval and Early Modern Europe; Military/Diplomatic; Modern Europe and Britain; United States; Africa; World.
Secondary Areas (to be chosen from outside of Primary Area): Canada; History of Science and Medicine; Latin America; Medieval and Early Modern Europe; Military/Diplomatic; Modern Europe and Britain; United States; Africa; World.
c) A thesis normally of 400 pages, including notes, charts and tables, but excluding bibliography and appendices.
d) A demonstration of reading knowledge of a second language relevant to the student's research prior to the candidacy examination.
e) Written and oral candidacy examinations in primary and secondary areas. The Supervisory Committee consists of a primary area supervisor and a secondary area specialist with the third member being a faculty member normally outside the department whose area of expertise is in the field of study for the student. The History Department urges candidates to take candidacy examinations within 16 months of first registration. Examinations must be completed within 20 months of first registration.
The doctoral program consists of two terms of coursework relevant to the primary and secondary areas. During the third and fourth terms, students read for the candidacy examinations. Four to five terms of thesis preparation will normally follow.
Copyediting
The graduate program in the Department of History does not permit the use of third-party editors in the preparation of papers and theses.
Program Descriptions