History
Master of Arts (MA)
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Program overview
This program caters to a wide range of student profiles including those aiming for an academic track, a professional career, or to continue their training in history on a part-time basis. Students participate in graduate seminars that give them wide exposure to thematic and geographic areas of study. After their course work is complete, students write a research-based essay under the direction of a supervisor.
Outcomes and next steps
Historical research consulting, teaching, public history, government research analysis, civil service and diplomacy, professional writing and editing.
A master’s degree in history will give you the pre-requisite for a PhD.
Degree at a glance
Completion requirements
Coursework, including preparation, over two courses, of the Major Research Essay, second language requirement.
Courses
Eight courses including a minimum of seven graduate seminars
Program requirements
Class delivery
Classroom
Commitment
One calendar year with a two-year full-time maximum, or a four year part-time maximum
Supervisor
A supervisor is required, but is not required prior to the start of the program
Fees and funding
Flat annual fee for full-time; calculated per course for part-time. Funding offered.
Related programs
If you're interested in this program, you might want to explore other UCalgary programs.

Supervisors
A supervisor is required for this program. Students are not required to identify potential supervisors prior to applying to the program.
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Alexander Hill
- Soviet military history
- The Second World War
- Soviet military and naval policy
accepting inquires
Amelia Kiddle
- Latin America
accepting inquires
Annette Timm
- Editor, Journal of the History of Sexuality
- History of German Population Policy
- History of Gender in Europe
- History of Nazi Racial Policy
- History of Sexology and Transsexuality
- History of the Holocaust
- Comparative History of WWII Psychological Warfare
accepting inquires
David Marshall
- Canadian History
accepting inquires
Frank Towers
- United States History
- Urban History
- Civil wars and nationalism in the 19th century
accepting inquires
Frank W Stahnisch
- History of Medicine and the Life Sciences
- History and Philosophy of the Neurosciences
- History of Physiology
- Medical Visualizations throughout History
- History of Public Mental Health and Psychiatry
accepting inquires
Additional supervisors may be available. Contact the Faculty of Graduate Studies for more information.

Completion requirements
Core Course
Historiography and the Theories of History, and two research and writing courses that will guide students through the development of their major research essay.
Research Paper
A 30 to 40 page major research essay modeled on a scholarly research article, marked by the advisor and an additional faculty member
Required Course Load
Students must enroll in a minimum of one course per semester.
Additional Courses
Topics may include Canada, Europe, Latin America, United States, science, intellectual history, political history and more.
Language
Students demonstrate a reading knowledge of a second language related to the major field of study, by examination, before the marking of the major research essay

Admission requirements and information
Requirements for the History Program
GPA
A minimum of 3.4 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.Minimum education
Four-year undergraduate program with honours or a major in history. Usually this entails at least 14 History courses. Credit may be given for up to two courses in other disciplines, if appropriate for the proposed area of study.Work samples
<p>A copy of a historical research paper, preferably graded, normally at the senior undergraduate level.</p>Documents
250-word (minimum) statement of research interest including research topics in the major field and the reasons for pursuing a postgraduate degree in history.
Reference letter
TwoTest scores
NoneEnglish language proficiency
An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:
- TOEFL score of 86 with no section less than 20 (Internet-based) or 560 (paper-based). Our institution code is 0813
- IELTS score of 6.5 with no section less than 6.0 (Academic version)
- MELAB score of 80, or higher
- PTE score of 59, or higher (Academic version)
- Tier 3 of the International Foundations Program with minimum grades of B,C,C (Writing & Grammar, Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension & Oral Fluency)
Deadlines
For admission on September 1
Canadian and permanent residentApril 15 Deadline for application
InternationalApril 15 Deadline for application
If you’re not a Canadian or permanent resident make sure to read and learn about international specific requirements

Tuition fees and funding
All graduate students must pay general fees each year, as well as program fees.
Fees
Estimate for full-time students
Canadian and
permanent resident
International
student
General fees
For 12 months of study
$1,830 CAD
$1,830 CAD
Tuition fees
For program completion in 12 months
$8,568 CAD
$19,464 CAD
Total fees
For program completion in 12 months
$10,398 CAD
$21,294 CAD
What are annual continuing fees?
Continuing fees do not apply to this program.
Funding availability
Departmental funding offers are intended to guarantee minimum funding, and may be adjusted if funding from other sources is awarded. Funding is subject to the following expectations and conditions:
Masters students in the first year of the program as ranked by the Graduate Studies Committee.
Masters students in the second year of their program as ranked by the Graduate Studies Committee.
Fees listed here are estimates only, and have been rounded to the nearest dollar. These amounts should not be considered accurate. All amounts are in Canadian Dollars.
Fees are subject to change.
For more details and the most accurate information go to the Academic Calendar
For more general information, see our Fees and Funding Guide
Highlights of the History Program
Learn more about this program
History - Graduate Studies
Social Sciences Building, Room 656
618 Campus Place NW
Calgary, ABT2N 1N4
403.220.3839
Go to our contact page and connect with the right person to answer any questions you might have