History Department
Kevin Sheets, chair
Scott Moranda, graduate coordinator
Old Main, Room 212
607-753-2723
Fax: 607-753-5598
Overview
Slavery, immigration, revolution — incredibly diverse phenomena create curious consequences that shape our world.
As an historian, you're fascinated with the why of everyday events and the human motives behind them. You can expand your understanding of the past and the nature of historical inquiry and research by studying for the Master of Arts (M.A.) in history at SUNY Cortland.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Explain the source's perspective on the topic it addresses.
- Closely read a primary source.
- Find and select appropriate primary sources that will contextualize a historical problem.
- Find and select appropriate secondary sources that will contextualize a historical problem.
Program Highlights
You will enjoy our professional faculty who bring their excitement for history's reach into enthusiastic exchanges in small classes with you and your peers. You will expand your historical reading and writing skills and benefit from the guidance of these dedicated mentors while conducting research that personally interests you.
Research topics may range from African Americans in the Civil War to European or non-Western subjects, such as Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, the French Revolution, Latin American revolutionary movements or issues in modern China.
Culminating Experience
You also will write a comprehensive written examination based on course work and mastery of the content and historical literature in your area of concentration, or a combination of your area of concentration and a secondary field. For those intending to pursue a Ph.D. at another instituition, the option of writing a master's thesis is available.
Career Potential
When you complete the M.A. in history from SUNY Cortland, you are well prepared for a career in a wide range of fields, including museums, archives, social work, library science, public history, business, journalism, law or government service. In addition, you will obtain a terminal master's degree, which is a solid foundation for doctoral work.
Graduate Admissions
Evaluation Policy
At the State University of New York College at Cortland, we seek a diverse and academically strong student body. Our admission policy and practice will not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, national origin or marital status.
Required Materials
- Completed online Graduate School Application — Apply Now
- Official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended to be forwarded directly to SUNY Cortland Graduate Admissions Office
Note: candidates for admission must present evidence of bachelor's degree conferral prior to the start of their academic program.
- A resume, submitted online with the application
- A statement of educational and professional goals, submitted online with the application
- Two confidential letters of recommendation with at least one from a history professor
Admissions Criteria
Minimum admissions criteria include:
- 24 credit hours in approved undergraduate history courses
- An overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 and above on a 4.0 scale
- An overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 and above in history courses
- Intermediate competency in a foreign language, usually through the 201 level or the third semester of foreign language study
This requirement may be met concurrently with graduate study.
- GRE scores ranking in the top 50th percentile, if your undergraduate history or overall grade point average is below a 3.0
For candidates with exceptional circumstances, these requirements may be modified.
Deadlines
Fall semester applications: July 1
Spring semester applications: Dec. 1
Summer semester applications: April 1
Applications submitted after the deadline may be considered on a space availability basis.
Please contact the Graduate Admissions Office at 607-753-4800 to check availability.
