MA History at University of California, Santa Cruz

Programme overview

The History MA is for students interested in postgraduate work who are not planning to complete a PhD, and can fulfill in-service requirements for teachers and single-subject social studies credential candidates. Students complete original research combining temporal, geographical and thematic interests.

Faculty: Humanities Division | Department: History | Duration: 2 years in residence; 12 five-credit courses plus one 2-credit proseminar | Study mode: full-time | Location: Santa Cruz, CA, United States

What you will study

Courses include Methods and Theories of History, Directed Research Colloquium, Practicing World History, Constructing a Field, one research seminar (e.g. History of Gender, Colonialism/Nationalism and Race, Transnationalism and Borderlands), a teaching pedagogy proseminar and seven research-area electives. Students write an 8,000-10,000 word research essay based on primary documents; there is no language requirement.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

UC Santa Cruz graduate admission: bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited university awarded before the entry quarter, a B average or better in the last two years of undergraduate coursework, and demonstrated English proficiency. Applicants whose first language is not English: TOEFL iBT minimum 83 (4.0 on the 2026 scale) or IELTS Academic overall 7; waiver may be requested by applicants with a four-year bachelor's degree from an English-speaking institution. GRE General and Subject tests not required. Transcripts and three letters of recommendation (up to five accepted). Programme materials: curriculum vitae or resume, writing sample (term paper or thesis chapter, up to 30 pages), Statement of purpose and personal history statement. Application deadline: December 1 (History MA/PhD). Application fee $135 domestic, $155 international.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,722 a year (2026-27). California resident graduate tuition; excludes Student Services Fee, campus fees and health insurance Source

International applicants: USD 15,102 a year (2026-27). Nonresident Supplemental Tuition, charged in addition to the 13,722 tuition for non-California residents and international students Source

Duration: 2 years in residence; 12 five-credit courses plus one 2-credit proseminar

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities