History, M.A.

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Graduate Advisor: Suzuko Morikawa

Graduate Faculty: Lionel Kimble, Suzuko Morikawa, Saidou N’Daou,

The Department of Geography, Sociology, History, African American Studies, and Anthropology offers graduate study leading to the degree of 1) Master of Arts in History, 2) the post-baccalaureate non-degree Illinois state secondary education teaching certification, and 3) the post-baccalaureate non-degree certificate in Archives and Records Management.

The Master of Arts in History focuses on the development of historical analysis and research skills, and the interdisciplinary nature of the Program provides knowledge and skills that have applicability to careers in the public or private sector, including government, corporate, and non-profit and meets the needs in increasingly culturally diverse workplaces. The program features Africana and United States History within an interdisciplinary approach. History degree graduates from Chicago State University acquire competencies to teach courses in History, Africana Studies, Ethnic Studies, and other social sciences in secondary schools and community colleges. A significant number of Master of Arts in History awardees graduates pursues their path to a Ph.D. degree as well as careers in legal service, justice, and public order.

In addition, the department offers one post-baccalaureate certification and one post-baccalaureate certificate for college graduates who wish to pursue professional careers in teaching or records management and archival work. Each of these certificates can usually be completed as full time in two years or part time in between three and five years.

The post-baccalaureate non-degree secondary education social studies teaching licensure program (TCHI) provides candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree in an area other than education the opportunity to earn a professional educator license. Completion of the program qualifies students for the 9-12 Illinois Professional Educator License in Social Studies.

The post-baccalaureate certificate in Archives and Records Management (ARM) serves students with undergraduate degrees in history or related disciplines. The ARM program is designed for students who wish to pursue careers in archives, records management, and in libraries with special collections units that include archives and records management divisions. ARM also provides professional development opportunities for support staff in Chicagoland archives and special collections units who need a credential in the field.

The History Program offers two types of courses. The advanced lecture- discussion courses (5300 - 5399 level) are designed to acquaint the student with the literature and problems of a selected field. Research seminars (5400 level) introduce students to intensive research on a particular historical topic and provide experience in historical methodology and in the use of primary and secondary source materials.

Degree Program

General Requirements for Admission:

Fulfillment of the general degree requirements for admission to the graduate programs at Chicago State University. (See Graduate School catalogue.)
Students should have earned a B average (3.0) in the junior and senior years and in all undergraduate history-related courses.
A writing sample of 10-20 pages of an undergraduate essay or a paper of professional-level competency.
One letter of recommendation from a person familiar with the applicant’s academic or professional work.

For Admission with Conditions:

A minimum grade point average of 2.75 is required for full admission. The GPA is calculated by the Graduate Studies Office based on the last 60 hours of academic work. Additionally, students are expected to have completed 18 credit hours of history-related courses, including survey work with a B average.

Students with less than 18 hours in history-related courses are recommended to fulfill certain prerequisites. Those with less than a B average ordinarily should complete 6 hours of 4000 level courses specified by the graduate advisor, with a B average, to gain full admission to the program. It is the student’s responsibility to confer with the advisor and to notify Graduate Studies when the conditions have been met.

For Graduate-at-Large Admission

Students with a low undergraduate GPA who desire admission to the graduate program are allowed to take up to 12 hours of history courses as a graduate-at-large at Chicago State University to raise their GPA. The Graduate School will then reevaluate credits for full or conditional admission.

Program Requirements

The MA Program can be completed using either of the following options: the MA Thesis Option or the MA Capstone Project Option.

Thesis option

Completion of 30 hours at the graduate level.
Maintain a B average.
Completion of four 5400-level graduate seminars or independent studies (12 hours).
HIST 5400 - Historical Methods and Historiography Credit Hours: 3 (3 hours) should be taken before any other 5400- level courses.
5400-level Independent Research or Seminar Courses (3-6 hours)
HIST 5499 - Master’s Thesis Credit Hours: 3
Completion of six graduate-level courses (18 hours) including four HIST 5000-HIST 5399 level courses (12 hours) in consultation with the graduate advisor.
Oral Thesis defense.

Capstone Project option

Completion of 30 credit hours at the graduate level.
Maintain a B average.
Completion of four 5400-level graduate seminars or independent studies (12 hours)
HIST 5400 - Historical Methods and Historiography Credit Hours: 3
HIST 5400 -level Independent Research or Seminar Courses (6 hours).
HIST 5410 - Advanced Readings in Historiography for Master’s Essay and Exam Credit Hours: 3
Completion of six graduate-level courses (18 hours) including four HIST 5000-HIST 5399 level courses in consultation with the graduate advisor.
M.A. Capstone Project can consist of a revised seminar paper, or a project approved by the History graduate advisor with a presentation.

Non-Degree Programs

Secondary Education (9-12) Social Studies Teaching Licensure Program (TCHI)

Requirement for Admission (the application will be processed at the Office of Licensure Services)

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

Program Requirements

Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher with at least a grade of C in the Program.
Pass the state History Content Area examination and the edTPA (Secondary 9-12).
Have passed or pass required undergraduate or graduate History and supportive Social Sciences courses at least a grade of C or higher.
Required History Courses (39 cr hrs).
HIST 1200, 1210, 1300, 1310, 2200, 2220, and 2470 (21 credit hours)
Premodern History Field, HIST 2330, 2340, 2840, 4100, 4303, 4327, 4328,4329, 4331, 4343, 4381, or 4386 (3 credit hours).
12 credit hours 6 credit hours in each field and 9 credit hours at 3000-level or higher
- FIELD 1 (The Americas): U.S., African American, Latin America
- FIELD 2 (World History): Africa, Europe, Asia
Required Supportive Social Science Courses (12 cr hrs)
- GEOG 1000; GEOG 1100; ECON 1010; SOC 1010.
Admission to the College of Education (separate application).
Have passed or pass Professional Education courses (33 credit hours) with at least a grade of C within five years prior to the admission to the Program.
ED 1520, and 2000; ED 4312; PSYC 2020; BIL 4005 or ENG 4366; S ED 4301* and 4303*; ED 4500*; READ 4100*; CAS 2630*; HIST 4363* and 4375*

*Admission to the College of Education is required for courses marked with an asterisk.