Please note:
To view the Spring 2024 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2024/spring.html.
History
The Department of History offers graduate research leading to a master of arts (MA) degree. The major study areas are the Americas, Asia, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the university admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulations 1.3 in the SFU Calendar. Normally, an undergraduate 3.33 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is required in history or its equivalent over the last two years of the undergraduate program. A degree in a discipline related to history may be accepted in exceptional cases.
Program Requirements
Students must complete
Students will be provided with support towards professional development, networking and research interests. Includes topics on research skill development, grant writing, academic and public dissemination of work, practical tips for career advancement and presentations of works in progress. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
and one of two options
Thesis Option
Three other graduate courses for a minimum of 13 units*
and a thesis
The thesis should be between 15,000 and 21,000 words, including footnotes (excluding bibliography). A shorter or longer thesis may be submitted with the graduate chair's approval prior to scheduling the defence.
Course Intensive Option
Students will be required to pass an oral examination of an article length essay (8,000) or project on their major field under the supervision of a faculty member of the department. For details on the format of the examination, students should consult the History website. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: 23 units of graduate coursework.
and six other graduate courses for a minimum of 26 units*
* Students may choose graduate courses in another Simon Fraser University department, or from another university that is part of the Western Dean's Agreement. Supervisory committee and departmental graduate program committee approval is required.
Accelerated Master's
SFU students accepted in the accelerated master’s within the Department of History may apply a maximum of 10 graduate course units, taken while completing the bachelor’s degree, towards the upper division electives of the bachelor’s program and the requirements of the master’s degree. For more information go to: https://www.sfu.ca/gradstudies/apply/programs/accelerated-masters.html.
Program Length
Students are expected to complete the program requirements in four to six terms.
Language Requirements
Supervisors will determine with their students whether reading ability in a language or languages other than English are necessary for the completion of the MA thesis option. Supervisors will submit their recommendation in writing to the GPC for approval by the end of the first term. Reading ability will be evaluated by a time-limited examination consisting of the translation of a passage in the particular language with the aid of a dictionary, or the successful completion of a language training course approved by the supervisor. A student who fails the time-limited examination may retake the test at the discretion of the supervisor. Supervisors will be responsible for determining whether the student has met the language requirements and for so informing the GPC.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.