University of Texas at El Paso Academic Catalog

Academic Catalog

M.A. in History

Admission Requirements 

  1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the U.S. or proof of equivalent education in a foreign institution
  2. Satisfactory subject preparation and grade point average (GPA)
  3. A two- to three-page statement of purpose
  4. Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the student’s academic abilities
  5. Applicants from countries where English is not the first language are required to demonstrate English proficiency. Please consult the graduate school website for required scores.
  6.  An academic writing sample, approximately 10 pages in length

Degree Plan

There are two concentrations for students interested in an MA in History, the Standard Concentration and, the Borderlands Concentration. In both cases, a student can choose a Thesis option (30 hours) or Revised Paper option (36 hours). Under the thesis option, students will register for two thesis writing courses, HIST 5398 & HIST 5399, to complete the thesis. Under the revised paper option, students will revise and expand a previously written research paper in HIST 5393. Spanish language competency is also required for the Borderlands Concentration: students must complete fourth semester Spanish with a grade of B or better, or successfully complete an approved Spanish language competency examination.  In addition the department offers a Graduate Certificate in Public and Oral History (12 hours) and a Graduate Certificate in Teaching History (18 hours).    

M.A. in History, Standard Concentration, Thesis Option  

Required Credits: 30 credit hours 

All courses require a grade of C or betterThesis Option
Research Seminars:
Select 3 courses from the following:9
Seminar-United States History
Seminar in Borderlands History
Seminar in World History
Seminar-Latin American History
Seminar: European History
Studies Courses:
Select 3 courses from the following:9
Studies in Public History
Studies in United States Hist
Studies in World History
Studies in Latin American Hist
Studies in Borderlands History
Studies in European History
Other Electives:
Select 2 courses from the following:6
Intro to Public History
Studies in Public History
Studies in United States Hist
Studies in World History
Studies in Latin American Hist
Studies in Borderlands History
Studies in European History
Readings in US History to 1865
Readings in US Hist Since 1865
Teachng Social Stud in Sec Sch
Teaching in History Survey
Studies in Teaching History
Independent Reading
Seminar-United States History
Seminar in Borderlands History
Seminar in World History
Seminar-Latin American History
Seminar: European History
Public History Internship
Problems in Historical Resrch
Thesis
HIST 5398Thesis3
HIST 5399Thesis3
Total Hours30

M.A. in History, Standard Concentration, Revised Paper Option  

Required Credits: 36 credit hours 

All courses require a grade of C or betterRevised Paper
Research Seminars:
Select 2 courses from the following:6
Seminar-United States History
Seminar in Borderlands History
Seminar in World History
Seminar-Latin American History
Seminar: European History
Studies Courses:
Select 4 courses from the following:12
Studies in Public History
Studies in United States Hist
Studies in World History
Studies in Latin American Hist
Studies in Borderlands History
Studies in European History
Other Electives:
Select 5 courses from the following:15
Intro to Public History
Studies in Public History
Studies in United States Hist
Studies in World History
Studies in Latin American Hist
Studies in Borderlands History
Studies in European History
Readings in US History to 1865
Readings in US Hist Since 1865
Teachng Social Stud in Sec Sch
Teaching in History Survey
Studies in Teaching History
Independent Reading
Seminar-United States History
Seminar in Borderlands History
Seminar in World History
Seminar-Latin American History
Seminar: European History
Public History Internship
Problems in Historical Resrch
Revised Paper
HIST 5393Independent Research3
Total Hours36

M.A. in History, Borderlands Concentration, Thesis Option   

Required Credits: 30 credit hours 

All courses require a grade of C or betterThesis Option
Research Seminars:at least two must focus on Borderlands History
Select 3 courses from the following:9
Seminar-United States History
Seminar in Borderlands History
Seminar in World History
Seminar-Latin American History
Seminar: European History
Studies Courses:at least two must focus on Borderlands History
Select 3 courses from the following:9
Studies in Public History
Studies in United States Hist
Studies in World History
Studies in Latin American Hist
Studies in Borderlands History
Studies in European History
Lit./Method Bordlands History
Lit/Meth Mex/L. Amer. History
Other Electives:
Select 2 courses from the following:6
Intro to Public History
Studies in Public History
Studies in United States Hist
Studies in World History
Studies in Latin American Hist
Studies in Borderlands History
Studies in European History
Readings in US History to 1865
Readings in US Hist Since 1865
Teachng Social Stud in Sec Sch
Teaching in History Survey
Studies in Teaching History
Independent Reading
Seminar-United States History
Seminar in Borderlands History
Seminar in World History
Seminar-Latin American History
Seminar: European History
Public History Internship
Problems in Historical Resrch
Thesis
HIST 5398Thesis3
HIST 5399Thesis3
Total Hours30

M.A. in History, Borderlands Concentration, Revised Paper Option  

Required Credits: 36 credit hours

All courses require a grade of C or betterRevised Paper
Research Seminars:at least two must focus on Borderlands History
Select 2 courses from the following:6
Seminar-United States History
Seminar in Borderlands History
Seminar in World History
Seminar-Latin American History
Seminar: European History
Studies Courses:at least two must focus on Borderlands History
Select 4 courses from the following:12
Studies in Public History
Studies in United States Hist
Studies in World History
Studies in Latin American Hist
Studies in Borderlands History
Studies in European History
Lit./Method Bordlands History
Lit/Meth Mex/L. Amer. History
Other Electives:
Select 5 courses from the following:15
Intro to Public History
Studies in Public History
Studies in United States Hist
Studies in World History
Studies in Latin American Hist
Studies in Borderlands History
Studies in European History
Readings in US History to 1865
Readings in US Hist Since 1865
Teachng Social Stud in Sec Sch
Teaching in History Survey
Studies in Teaching History
Independent Reading
Seminar-United States History
Seminar in Borderlands History
Seminar in World History
Seminar-Latin American History
Seminar: European History
Public History Internship
Problems in Historical Resrch
Revised Paper
HIST 5393Independent Research3
Total Hours36