The History Department offers three M.A. programs
Master of Arts (M.A.) History (45 credits)
Master of Arts (M.A.) History: Gender and Women's Studies (45 credits)
Master of Arts (M.A.) History: Developmental Studies (45 credits)
Description of M.A. Programs
Starting in Fall 2021 the Department of History and Classical Studies will offer a new M.A. program in History. The program is built around a 3-credit, co-taught Research Seminar, which is required of all incoming students, as well as complementary courses. A range of dedicated but rotating 600-level complementary courses will be offered each year, reflecting areas of interest among the Department’s faculty. Besides coursework, students will produce a thesis under the supervision of one or more faculty members.
The program will significantly hone students’ skills in research, critical thinking, and analytical writing. It can be taken in preparation for a possible Ph.D. program or for a wide range of non-academic career options. The program is designed to be completed in three terms of residence, but may be extended into a second year if necessary.
Students can earn their degree in History alone, or with an interdisciplinary concentrations in Gender and Women's Studies or in Development Studies. (In the case of the Development Studies concentration, acceptance in the History M.A. program does not automatically entail acceptance in the concentration.) With or without a concentration, the degree consists of 45 credits.
Disclaimer: The new program will start in Fall 2021 pending approval; in case of discrepancies, the e-Calendar’s version has priority. There will be no changes to the thesis M.A. and non-thesis M.A. program in Classics, also offered through the Department of History and Classical Studies.
M.A. Thesis Guidelines - History and Classical Studies: 
Click Here
M.A. Advisor: Professor Griet Vankeerberghen
- MA History (Thesis)
- MA History (Thesis): Gender and Women's Studies
- MA History (Thesis): Development Studies
M.A. History (Thesis) (45 credits)
Required Courses (30 Credits)
HIST 601 Research Seminar (3 credits)
HIST 696 Thesis Research 1 (6 credits)
HIST 697 Thesis Research 2 (6 credits)
HIST 698 Thesis Research 3 (15 credits)
Complementary Courses (15 credits)
15 credits at the 500, 600, or 700 level; credits at the 500 level are normally to be taken as 3-credit courses.
Up to 6 credits of non-HIST courses
Under the supervision of a professor in our department, you will also write a master's thesis (maximum 100 pages) that may or may not be related to the subject of your research seminar(s). It is not always possible to write on the exact subject you would wish; the range of subjects depends on the expertise and availability of professors in our department. However, it is best to contact the professor in your field of interest early to be sure that he/she is willing and able to supervise your thesis work.
Students in the M.A. program may take, with the approval of the Department:
- a) Up to 6 credits outside of the department/university. For courses outside of the university, the on-line “Interuniversity Transfer Form” must be completed. Refer to the websites of History departments at Concordia, Université de Montréal or Université du Québec à Montréal for available graduate seminar courses. Both universities must approve the courses taken, and it is best to make arrangements to register for these courses as soon as possible, as space may not be available. Please note, only credits for courses taken at other universities will transfer to your student record, not the grades. Students must also keep in mind that a McGill History professor must supervise the final major research paper or the thesis.
- b) Up to 6 credits may be 500- or 600-level CLAS courses judged relevant to the program.
- c) One seminar course (up to 6 credits) may be replaced by the graduate tutorial HIST 655D1/D2 (6 credits) or HIST 699 (3 credits) if a professor is willing to supervise a paper and a seminar is not available in a field judged necessary to complete the program.
M.A. History (Thesis): Gender and Women's Studies (45 credits)
Required Courses (33 credits)
HIST 601 Research Seminar (3 credits)
HIST 696 Thesis Research 1 (6 credits)
HIST 697 Thesis Research 2 (6 credits)
HIST 698 Thesis Research 3 (15 credits)
WMST 601 Feminist Theories and Methods (3 credits)
Complementary Courses (12 credits)
12 credits at the 500, 600, or 700 level, selected as follows:
- 3 credits on gender-related issues;
- Up to 3 credits of non-HIST courses
Credits at the 500 level are normally to be taken as 3-credit courses
Students in the M.A. program may take, with the approval of the Department:
- a) Up to 6 credits outside of the department/university. For courses outside of the university, the on-line “Interuniversity Transfer Form” must be completed. Refer to the websites of History departments at Concordia, Université de Montréal or Université du Québec à Montréal for available graduate seminar courses. Both universities must approve the courses taken, and it is best to make arrangements to register for these courses as soon as possible, as space may not be available. Please note, only credits for courses taken at other universities will transfer to your student record, not the grades. Students must also keep in mind that a McGill History professor must supervise the final major research paper or the thesis.
- b) Up to 6 credits may be 500- or 600-level CLAS courses judged relevant to the program.
- c) One seminar course (up to 6 credits) may be replaced by the graduate tutorial HIST 655D1/D2 (6 credits) or HIST 699 (3 credits) if a professor is willing to supervise a paper and a seminar is not available in a field judged necessary to complete the program.
M.A. History (Thesis) - Development Studies
Required Courses (33 credits)
HIST 601 Research Seminar (3 credits)
HIST 696 Thesis Research 1 (6 credits)
HIST 697 Thesis Research 2 (6 credits)
HIST 698 Thesis Research 3 (15 credits)
INTD 657 Development Studies Seminar (3 credits)
Complementary Courses (12 credits)
12 credits at the 500, 600, or 700 level, selected as follows:
- 6 credits relating to developmental studies;
- Up to 3 credits of non-HIST courses
Credits at the 500 level are normally to be taken as 3-credit courses
Students in the M.A. program may take, with the approval of the Department:
- a) Up to 6 credits outside of the department/university. For courses outside of the university, the on-line “Interuniversity Transfer Form” must be completed. Refer to the websites of History departments at Concordia, Université de Montréal or Université du Québec à Montréal for available graduate seminar courses. Both universities must approve the courses taken, and it is best to make arrangements to register for these courses as soon as possible, as space may not be available. Please note, only credits for courses taken at other universities will transfer to your student record, not the grades. Students must also keep in mind that a McGill History professor must supervise the final major research paper or the thesis.
- b) Up to 6 credits may be 500- or 600-level CLAS courses judged relevant to the program.
- c) One seminar course (up to 6 credits) may be replaced by the graduate tutorial HIST 655D1/D2 (6 credits) or HIST 699 (3 credits) if a professor is willing to supervise a paper and a seminar is not available in a field judged necessary to complete the program.
Funding
For details please see: https://www.mcgill.ca/history/graduate/current-ma-history-programs/funding
Information on fees can be found using the Graduate Fees Calculator or in your "e-Billing" account. Qualifying students will be charged tuition fees at the per-credit rate and will be subject to student society fees, student services fees, registration and transcripts charges, and information technology charges.