History, Public History, M.A.

Admission Requirements

Students must meet the CSU requirements for admission to a master’s degree program. Please consult the Graduate Admissions  section in this catalog for complete information. In addition, applicants must have, a grade-point average of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester units and a 3.0 grade-point average in upper-division history courses.

The application process involves three steps: completing an online form through the Cal State Apply System; submitting sealed, official transcripts to the CSUF Office of Admissions and Records; and submitting a statement of purpose and two letters of recommendation directly to the Department of History. The department’s graduate coordinator will evaluate the dossiers once they are complete. Students with deficiencies will be considered for admission only after they have completed courses approved by the coordinator.

Professional Development

To help prepare for a career upon graduation, students must complete one of the following:

• Participate in approved career events through the CSUF Career Center, one’s employer or a third party
• Join or view at least one Department of History career webinar for historians
• Career preparation or continuing education in the student’s existing career path (approved by adviser), or attend a professional conference

Study Plan

Of the program’s 30 units, 18 must be at the 500-level. Each student drafts a study plan with a graduate coordinator and an adviser in the area of specialization during the first semester of study. A study plan must be filed before completing 13 units toward the degree.

Students choose between three culminating experiences: comprehensive exams in two fields; thesis; or project.