Candidates are urged to consult frequently with the faculty who compose their committee. The remaining six hours in history that round out the candidate's program should be taken from outside the concentration area. Research and writing of a thesis precludes comprehensive examinations. An oral examination will be held after the student's major professor has accepted the thesis for presentation to the candidate's committee. Students will be responsible on the oral for a mastery of their field, including the reading list they have received during their first week in the program.
Candidates have one opportunity to retake a failed oral examination.
At least one full semester must elapse between the failure of the first examination and the reexamination. A failing grade on the second examination will eliminate the student from the master's degree program in history. The area chosen will become the student's major field. Students who elect this option are required to pass written and oral examinations in their concentration area. The written examination will be three hours in length and may be taken no earlier than the second semester of graduate study.