The Master of Arts (M.A.) History (Thesis) program provides a strong grounding either for further advanced studies in History (Ph.D.) or as a gateway to a variety of professions. The program consists of a required research seminar in the first semester, complementary courses that reflect the strengths of the McGill faculty in the Department of History and Classical Studies, and a thesis.

The Master of Arts (M.A.) History (Thesis): Development Studies offers advanced training in the practice of History as an academic discipline, with an emphasis on international development. It aims to develop critical reading, writing and research skills through broad theoretical reflections on the field of history, specialized courses that include courses in Development Studies, and a thesis on a topic related to international development. The program is designed so that it can be completed in one year. In the case of the Development Studies concentration, acceptance in the History M.A. program does not automatically entail acceptance in the concentration.

The Master of Arts (M.A.) History (Thesis): Gender & Women’s Studies offers advanced training in the practice of History as an academic discipline, with an emphasis on feminist, women’s, and gender studies. It aims to develop critical reading, writing, and research skills through broad theoretical reflections on the field of history, specialized courses that include courses in Gender & Women’s Studies, and a thesis. The program is designed so that it can be completed in one year.

The Ph.D. in History is a professional degree program that prepares students for participation in the academy as historians. They gain competence in historical methods and good control over at least three fields of study. The dissertation is a work of primary research that makes a significant contribution to knowledge. Candidates in the field of Medical History will prepare the major field for the comprehensive examination with a member of the Department of Social Studies of Medicine and the two minor fields with members of the Department of History and Classical Studies. The thesis will normally be directed by the director of the major field. In all other respects, the same rules will apply to candidates in this area as apply to other Ph.D. students in History.

The M.A. in Classics offers advanced training in the scholarly discipline of classical studies in a variety of fields. The thesis program emphasizes proficiency both in technical areas of the discipline, especially Greek and Latin language, and in critical reading, writing, and research skills. The McGill M.A. in Classics is designed to prepare students to enter doctoral programs and, eventually, an academic career in any of the related fields of classical studies. Graduates have also pursued successful careers in teaching, law, museum science, and branches of civil service. This program can be completed in one year, though it is normally completed in two years.

The M.A. in Classics offers advanced training in the scholarly discipline of classical studies in a variety of fields. The non-thesis program aims to develop proficiency both in technical areas of the discipline, especially Greek and Latin language, and in critical reading, writing, and research skills to prepare students to enter doctoral programs in any of the related fields of classical studies. This option is designed for students who need to strengthen their proficiency in ancient languages and other aspects of classical studies and places greater emphasis on graduate coursework. This option is normally completed in two years.