Degree Requirements
Students may follow one of three plans for a graduate degree in history: A thesis program, a non-thesis program or a program in local and community history. Please note that transfer students have to complete 15 hours of history at 黑洞社区. For frequently asked questions about classes, exams, and thesis requirements, click here. To learn more about the program, check on how to think through a graduate career.
- HIST 725, Advanced Historical Method 3
- HIST 727, Readings in History 3
- HIST 729, 730, 733, 734, Seminars (3) 9
- HIST 500 and 600 courses (4) 12
- HIST 802, Thesis (2) 4
Note: Per graduate school requirements, at least 60 percent of hours must be taken at the 700 level or higher. At least one seminar and one lecture-based course must be taken outside of the student鈥檚 primary comprehensive field.
- HIST 725, Advanced Historical Method 3
- HIST 727, Readings in History (2) 6
- HIST 729, 730, 733, 734, Seminars (4) 12
- HIST 500 and 600 courses (4) 12
Students must pass written examinations in two comprehensive fields.
Course hrs.
- HIST 519 Introduction to Local and Community History 3
One course selected from the following: 3
- HIST 702 Hist. Preservation
- HIST 703 Museum Admin.
- HIST 705 Intro. to Archives
- HIST 803* Internship in Public History
One course of the following: 3
- HIST 528 History of Wichita
- HIST 535 History of Kansas
Required Courses:
- HIST 725 Advanced Historical Methods 3
- HIST 730, 733 Seminars 6
- HIST 500- and 600-level courses 12
- HIST 802 Thesis 4
Total 34
* HIST 781, Cooperative Education in History, may be substituted for HIST 803 with the consent of the director of the local and community history program.
Students must pass a written examination in one comprehensive field and pass an oral examination in defense of the thesis. The written examination must precede the oral examination.
Comprehensive Exams
Comprehensive exams are given in the two-week window following both fall and spring breaks. Students must utilize the Comp Exam Request Form (below) to schedule an exam. The form is due to the Administrative Assistant in the main office (Kristin) by Oct. 1 for fall semester exams, and Mar. 1 for spring semester exams.
Students must first pass a foreign language competency examination, pass a written examination in one comprehensive field and pass an oral examination in defense of the thesis. The written examination must precede the oral examination. Students may take their foreign language exam at any point prior to taking their comprehesive exams.
Graduate Program Admission
Admission to the history graduate program requires a minimum of 18 undergraduate hours
in history with a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) and a 2.75 GPA in the last 60 credit
hours completed. The admission process is initiated by submitting an application for
admission to the Wichita State Graduate School. The 黑洞社区 Graduate Bulletin describes
general admission procedures. Applicants must submit a one page Statement of Purpose, and a writing sample of no more than 20 pages (both via email) to the graduate coordinator.
International students are required to have a minimum TOEFL score of 600 paper-based,
or 100 Internet-based, or an overall score of 7.5 on the IELTS. The application deadline
for domestic and U.S. resident students for fall admission is March 1 if they would
like to be considered for a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) position, August 1 for
non-GTA admission, and December 1 for spring admission. For international students,
the deadlines are April 1 and August 1, respectively.
Teaching assistantships
The Department employs five graduate teaching assistants per semester. Appointments
are typically made in the fall and renewed for the subsequent spring semester. TAs
who perform well may re-apply and be re-appointed for a second year. To apply for
a teaching assistantship, fill out the main form from the graduate school.
The form and three letters of recommendation should be sent to the History Dept.鈥檚
graduate coordinator, 1845 Fairmount St., Box 45, Wichita, KS 67260-0045. Applications
should be received by the first Friday in March.
For more information please contact:
Dr. Laila Ballout, Graduate Program Coordinator
laila.ballout@wichita.edu