Department Updates

Graduate Program

The Department of History at Western Illinois University offers a program of study leading to the Master of Arts degree in WIU's School of Graduate Studies. The Department of History's M.A. program provides advanced education in the discipline of history with special responsibility to history majors in order to prepare them for a variety of careers to include teaching at various levels, academia, public and government service, publishing, and research, among others. Check out the latest on research funding opportunities and workshops for our History graduate students. For the latest news about our graduate students and program, see below. Information on Graduate Assistantships is provided below.

Relaxing at the Fall 2009 History Grad Student Reception

Final Submission of Thesis: Non-electronic theses must be submitted to the Archives department, Malpass Library by the Friday, December 11. Electronic theses must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies by the Friday, December 11.

Grad student Rob Deveraux receives award at Missouri Valley History Conference for his research paper, mentored by Dr. Roberts and Dr. Kretchik

History Graduate Program

In order to ensure the greatest flexibility, the Department of History offers three plans of study that can be tailored to meet the specific needs and interests of individual students. These plans of study are: the course-intensive coursework program; a special project; and the thesis option (recommended for students considering further study at the Ph.D. level and available only with permission of the Graduate Advisor.) Our website includes a complete list of all graduate History courses offered by WIU's History Department; this list is more complete than that found in the University's Graduate Catalog.

The Department offers funding opportunities for graduate students conducting research for graduate seminars, doing thesis research, or presenting their research off-campus.

The Department also offers a one-semester graduate exchange program with Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey. Truly a unique opportunity, the exchange program exposes graduate students of history to an area of the world rich in multicultural civilization and historical importance.

Dr. McNabb's Fall 2008 Graduate Research Seminar

Admission:

In order to be considered for admission to the Graduate Program, students must meet the admission requirements of the School of Graduate Studies and should have completed a minimum of 18 semester hours of undergraduate course work in history.

Graduate Assistantships:

The WIU History Department awards a limited number of two-year Graduate Assistantships to the most outstanding students admitted to the History M.A. program. See the Graduate School website for information on eligibility for Graduate Assistantships at WIU. To apply, a student must first fill out the GA application found on the Graduate School's website.  All forms, personal statements, and letters of recommendation should be sent to the Graduate School. Please request that your GA application documents be forwarded to the History Department. Students may apply at any time; position availability varies, depending on the number of students continuing in GA positions. In addition to the GA positions awarded by the History Department, History M.A. students may seek funding opportunities throughout the University.  In the past History M.A. students have worked as Graduate Assistants in Malpass Library, the University Writing Center, the Secondary Education Program, the WIU Foundation, and the Office of Academic Services. Graduate Assistants receive a monthly stipend in addition to tuition waivers. The deadline for applications for GA positions starting in Fall semester is March 15 and for those starting in Spring semester is October 15.

General Requirements:

Typically, students will select either United States or European history as their major field. In some cases, a constructed field representing a different geographical region (Latin America, Asia, Africa, etc.) or theme (such as technology, gender, or military history) may be selected in consultation with the Graduate Advisor and with the approval of the Department's Graduate Committee.

Minor fields of study may be taken in United States, European, or non-Western history.

All students must pass an oral examination following the completion of all course work and requirements, including the thesis.

Program I: Thesis Option (31 credit hours;

requires permission of Graduate Advisor)

HIST 500: Methods of Historical Research 1 hr.
Major field of study 15 hrs.
Minor field of study 6 hrs.
Electives 3 hrs.
HIST 600 and 601: Thesis Units 6 hrs.

(The courses chosen to fulfill the student's major, minor, and elective requirements must include at least two research seminars.)

Program II: Special Project Option (34 credit hours)

HIST 500: Methods of Historical Research 1 hr.
Major field of study 15 hrs.
Minor field of study 9 hrs.
Electives 3-5 hrs.
HIST 599: Special Project in History 4-6 hrs.
HIST 699 Non-thesis Oral Exam 0 hrs.

(The courses chosen to fulfill the student's major, minor, and elective requirements must include at least one reading seminar in the major field and two research seminars.)

Program III: Coursework Option (37 credit hours)

HIST 500: Methods of Historical Research 1 hr.
Major Field of Study 18 hrs.
Minor Field of Study  9 hrs.
Electives 9 hrs.
HIST 699: Non-thesis Oral Exam 0 hrs.

(The courses chosen to fulfill the student's major, minor, and elective requirements must include at least one reading seminar in the major field and two research seminars.)

For further information about graduate study in history at Western Illinois University or to request application materials, please contact the Department of History at (309) 298-3416 or e-mail Professor Virginia Jelatis, Graduate Director.

Our Graduate Students in the News