Thesis and Capstone Information

MA (History, 30-hour thesis option)

The 30-hour MA (History) requires a master’s thesis. A thesis is an examination of a well-defined historical subject that relies chiefly on primary sources, published or unpublished, to form an argument. It should possess some degree of original thought on the topic, or in its approach to that topic.

The thesis should not be a compilation of detail or a simple narrative. Instead, it should pose an argument. It should be expository rather than descriptive. The typical MA thesis should be 100 pages or more in length.

MA (History, 36-hour non-thesis option)

The 36-hour MA (History) does not require a master’s thesis. Instead, students will complete a non-thesis capstone project. Capstone projects may include article-length historiographic essays, annotated syllabi or lesson plans, exhibit designs, digital history initiatives, or other non-thesis works of applied research. Please see the Capstone Project Guidelines below for details.

MA (Maritime Studies)

The MA (Maritime Studies) requires a master’s thesis. A thesis is an examination of a well-defined historical subject that relies chiefly on primary sources, published or unpublished, to form an argument. It should possess some degree of original thought on the topic, or in its approach to that topic.

The thesis should not be a compilation of detail or a simple narrative. Instead, it should pose an argument. It should be expository rather than descriptive. The typical MA thesis should be 100 pages or more in length.

Theses for students in the MA (Maritime Studies) may differ from traditional MA theses because of their emphasis on archaeological methodology. Such theses, however, must incorporate relevant historical materials-including primary sources-in their evidential bases.