History

History

Master of Arts (MA)

Course-based program

Program overview

This program caters to a wide range of student profiles including those aiming for an academic track, a professional career, or to continue their training in history on a part-time basis. Students participate in graduate seminars that give them wide exposure to thematic and geographic areas of study. After their course work is complete, students write a research-based essay under the direction of a supervisor.

Completing this program

  • Core Course: Historiography and the Theories of History, and two research and writing courses to guide students through the development of their major research essay.
  • Additional Courses: Topics may include Canada, Europe, Latin America, United States, science, intellectual history, political history and more.
  • Research: A Major Research Essay, normally around 9,000 words in length (including notes, charts, tables and appendices, but excluding bibliography), is written, modelled on a scholarly research article.
  • Language: Students demonstrate a reading knowledge of a second language related to the major field of study, by examination, before the marking of the major research essay
  • Required Course Load: Part-time students must enroll in a minimum of one course per semester.

Outcomes

Historical research consulting, teaching, public history, government research analysis, civil service and diplomacy, professional writing and editing.

A master’s degree in history will give you the pre-requisite for a PhD.

Classroom delivery

Time commitment

12 months; four year maximum

Supervisor

A supervisor is required, but is not required prior to the start of the program

Fees and funding

See the Graduate Calendar for information on fees and fee regulations, and for information on awards and financial assistance.

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Supervisors

Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.


  1. David Marshall

    David Marshall

    Accepting Inquiries
    Canadian History
  2. Jewel Spangler

    Jewel Spangler

    Accepting Inquiries
    U.S. History--Late Colonial, Early National, Antebellum
  3. Frank W Stahnisch

    Frank W Stahnisch

    Accepting Inquiries
    History of Medicine and the Life Sciences, History and Philosophy of the Neurosciences, History of Physiology, Medical Visualizations throughout History, History of Public Mental Health and Psychiatry
  4. Tim Stapleton

    Tim Stapleton

    Seeking Students
    African History/Military History
  5. Dr. Paul Stortz

    Paul Stortz

    Accepting Inquiries
    History of Education, Higher Education, and Media; History of Ethnicity, Race, Immigration, Refugees, and Multiculturalism; History of Intellectual Culture; Cultural Theory and Theories of History; Interdisciplinary Studies and Theory; Images in Historical Cultures
  6. Annette Timm

    Annette Timm

    Accepting Inquiries
    Editor, Journal of the History of Sexuality, History of German Population Policy, History of Gender in Europe, History of Nazi Racial Policy, History of Sexology and Transsexuality, History of the Holocaust, Comparative History of WWII Psychological Warfare
  7. Frank Towers

    Frank Towers

    Accepting Inquiries
    United States History, Urban History, Civil wars and nationalism in the 19th century
  8. David Curtis Wright

    David Curtis Wright

    Accepting Inquiries
    Military, diplomatic, and political history

Admission requirements


GPA

A minimum of 3.4 on a four-point scale or equivalent, over the final 60 units of the undergraduate degree.

Minimum education

Normally, a four-year undergraduate program with honours or a major in history. 

Work samples

A sample of written work (unpublished essays submitted as coursework in previous undergraduate and Master’s degree programs or individual chapters of Honours, BA or Master’s theses).

Documents

A statement of research interest of up to 500 words, outlining your main areas of interest, background in historical research, and preferred MRE (Major Research Essay) topics.

A curriculum vitae.

Reference letters

Two

Test scores

None


English language proficiency (ELP)

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements.

Deadlines

For admission on September 1:

  • Canadians and permanent residents: January 15 application deadline
  • International students: January 15 application deadline

If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements

Learn more about this program

Department of History

Social Sciences Building, Room 656
618 Campus Place NW
Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4

Contact the Graduate Program Administrator

Visit the departmental website

Faculty of Arts

University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4

Visit the Faculty of Arts website