HISTORY

  The University of North Carolina at Wilmington was founded in 1947 as Wilmington College, a locally supported and governed institution, to provide the youth and adults of New Hanover County and southeastern North Carolina with an opportunity for two years of university parallel study, semiprofessional training and vocational-technical education at moderate expense. In 1963 Wilmington College became a four-year institution authorized to offer the bachelor's degree, and in 1969, renamed the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, it became a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina system. 

   Graduate studies were authorized at Wilmington in 1977; the Master of Arts program in History was inaugurated in August 1989.

HISTORY GRADUATE PROGRAM

  UNCW offers the Master of Arts in History with specialization in United States, European, Global and Public History.  The M.A. presents the opportunity to work with research-active faculty in small classes, independent studies and internships.

 ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  Admissions requirements (submit to the graduate school):

• Application for graduate admission (non-degree applications are not entertained)

• Official transcripts of all college and graduate work (3.0 GPA required)

• Officially reported scores on the Graduate Record Examination (verbal, quantitative and analytical; verbal and quantitive sections should total to a score of 950)

• Three letters of recommendation, at least two must be from academicians

• Appropriate writing sample; history research paper preferred with footnotes or endnotes and Bibliography

• Completed History questionnaire

Deadline for fall admission with financial aid consideration: March 1

Deadline for fall admission without financial aid consideration: May 1.

Deadline for spring admission: November 1.

   Please note: These are hard deadlines. All required forms, scores, papers and application materials MUST be completed and in to the UNCW Graduate School by the above dates. Please manage your time and the mail accordingly.

  For questions about the UNCW Graduate Program, email: gradstudies@uncw.edu; or call 910-962-3135

   Click the link here to apply for the Graduate Program in History.

   To review all the requirements for an M.A. in History, please see our Graduate Handbook. Please click here to see the UNCW Graduate Catalog.

 DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

  The program requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate study, 24 of which must be in history.  A maximum of six semester hours may be transferred from another accredited institution, at the discretion of the History Graduate Committee.  Transfer credits will be awarded only for grades of “B” or better.  At least 24 hours of graduate study must be completed in residence.

  A minimum of 24 semester hours, including thesis, must be earned in courses open only to graduate students.

  Students must complete HST 500, 12 hours in the area of concentration and nine hours of electives.  Six hours must be completed in seminars.  Students are limited to six hours of cross-listed courses, six hours of directed studies and six hours of courses in other departments.

  Students must pass a written comprehensive examination that will be administered no earlier than during the final semester of enrollment in course work.

     Students will present and defend a thesis.

  Students must pass a competency examination demonstrating satisfactory reading knowledge of a foreign language.

  The program shall be completed within five years of the date of first registration for graduate study.

PROCEDURES & REQUIREMENTS

  Application:  Get form from graduate school.  Submit completed form, essay of intent, all undergraduate transcripts, 3 letters of reference (at least 2 from academics), writing sample, GRE scores (standard test; achieve min of 475 on verbal and quantitative, 4/5 on essay).  Deadines: March 1 for financial aid consideration, May first for fall admission, November 1 for spring admission.  Click here to get a Graduate Application form.

  Advising: Graduate director is the advisor of record for all students.  Meet director upon arrival and every semester for advising.

  Apply for TA positions and scholarships: Apply for TA/RA positions on application; in subsequent semesters, director will call for applications. These must be with the March 1 application. All students are considered for all departmental scholarships each year, no application necessary.  Other scholarships may be available through Alumni Association, etc.; check catalog.

  Language and comprehensive exams: take language exam as soon as possible; it is offered each semester early in the term (public history students exempt).  Written comprehensives are to be taken during the last semester of coursework of the semester immediately thereafter.  Consult handbook.

  Thesis (or public history project report) preparation: Identify committee members, file tentative title with graduate director.  Work closely with committee; adhere to submission deadlines; submit appropriate cover sheets. 

    TUITION AND FEES

  As these change almost every years, please see the UNCW Graduate Program web page.

 FINANCIAL AID

  Information on loans and non-UNCW grants and scholarships is available from the Office of Financial Aid and Veterans Services.  

   See web page at: www.uncwil.edu/finaid; or call 910.962.3177.

   Teaching and Research Assistantships:  The Department of History currently offers 12 teaching assistantships and 2 research assistantships. Current salary is $9,000 per year. To be considered for an assistantship, make the appropriate designation on the application form.

   Scholarships:  Through the UNCW graduate school, the History Department offers the Ty Rowell Scholarship, the Charles Green Scholarship, the Susan Goodman Stern Graduate Fellowhip, and awards a limited number of small scholarships.  All registered students are considered for each scholarship. 

  In addition, the department makes nominations to the graduate school for the McDowell Davis Scholarship, the Lackey Scholarship and the New Scholar Award.  For information about these and other scholarships, please contact the graduate school.