Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Consult Faculty Pages!
I recommend that you look through our faculty page carefully to see if your interests coincide with our areas of expertise. Then, if you have specific questions about a particular aspect of our offerings, you can contact me or the most relevant faculty member directly.
Sources of Funding
As is usual, we don't offer support to MA students, but we do offer financial support in the form of competitive Teaching Assistantships awarded to graduate students working toward doctoral degrees. Ph.D. students are also encouraged to compete for sources of funding from outside the History Department. Those sponsored by the Graduate School include: Crown Fellowships for Humanities and Schmitt Fellowships for Dissertation Research.
US Urban, Cultural, and Public History
As you can see from our website, we offer a range of programs that may coordinate with your interests, particularly in US Urban and Public History. I recommend that you look through those offerings carefully, and also consult the list of US History faculty members on our staff. There you may be able to determine whose expertise coordinates with your areas of interest.
MA degree while working
As you can see from the program website, we offer an MA program in a range of fields. A large number of our students do work at the same time as pursuing their studies. While it is impossible to say precisely how the schedule might work, depending on course offerings from semester to semester, we do offer most of the graduate-level classes in the late afternoon and evening. Exactly how long it would take you to complete the 27 credit hours required for an MA would depend on how many of those classes you could fit in. Full time, normal time to degree is two years. But part time, more gradual fulfillment of the class requirements is feasible.
I urge you to explore the program for information about the specific requirements, our faculty, and the areas and courses offered. If they fit your interests, it should be possible to complete a degree while continuing to work.
Public History contacts
The persons responsible for Public History in particular are Professors Ted Karamanski andElizabeth Fraterrigo. While I can give you general information, they can help you with the particulars of the Public History program. I recommend that you contact them directly with any questions about Public History.
No Ph.D. in South Asian History
Dr. Pincence is a wonderful teacher and member of our program. But, as you can see on our web site, we only offer graduate studies in the areas of Medieval Europe, Modern Europe, Transnational Urban, US, and US Public histories. I'm afraid we cannot offer a Ph.D. program in South Asian history.
Writing Sample: not multiple submissions
I'm sure you have seen that the admissions requirements do stipulate "a sample of your historical writing that consists of 20 plus pages, preferably a research paper written for a history course." I think you will find that this is standard in the field, which is--of course--primarily one which involves intensive writing and teaching about writing. Therefore, I urge you to try to make your applications as complete as possible--to Loyola and all your other selections. Of course, it is possible that a combination of shorter papers may impress an admissions committee, so you may try that alternative--with accompanying explanation. But I cannot predict how our, or any other admissions committee, will assess it in comparison with all the other applications.
Ph.D. Application for Funding deadlines
Regarding deadlines, the January 1 applies to any application department funding. It has nothing to do with other forms of loans or financial aid outside of our program. You will need to determine the particular deadlines for any other forms of financial support you might pursue. If you choose to apply to our program without asking for funding from us in the form of assistantships, you can apply up until May 1.
Average Times to Degree
Our MA program takes 2 years if the person goes full time (three courses
a term). The average time for completing a doctorate is more tricky and
depends. But I would address it this way. For someone in the
accelerated program, it can take anywhere from 5-8 years with 6-7 years
being about average. With a MA, I would say its about the same (5-8
years) but more likely that the person will finish in 5-6 years. Also,
we give out 5 years of funding and then expect our students to be able
to win one of three fellowships offered by the Graduate School for years
6 and 7 (if needed).
p.s. Statistics are tricky here because it's only in the last three years that
we started giving out 5 years of funding. Before that, we gave only 3
years and so our students took much longer to finish.
a term). The average time for completing a doctorate is more tricky and
depends. But I would address it this way. For someone in the
accelerated program, it can take anywhere from 5-8 years with 6-7 years
being about average. With a MA, I would say its about the same (5-8
years) but more likely that the person will finish in 5-6 years. Also,
we give out 5 years of funding and then expect our students to be able
to win one of three fellowships offered by the Graduate School for years
6 and 7 (if needed).
p.s. Statistics are tricky here because it's only in the last three years that
we started giving out 5 years of funding. Before that, we gave only 3
years and so our students took much longer to finish.
Admissions Selection Process
You need to put together the best possible application, including a statement of purpose, on the basis of your training so far and any advice you may obtain from other professors, etc. A graduate program director is not in a position to anticipate the participants, process, terms, or outcomes of the admissions process. If you feel that you might work well with an individual faculty member, you are encouraged to contact them and discuss your options and opportunities. But this in itself would not guarantee acceptance. That is determined by rigorous process of selection which involves the whole department. In the end, the process is a "blind" one, as is the case in many professional areas, to insure fairness, etc.
Application materials; Admissions: Public History; Public History
1. Is it acceptable to submit more than three letters of recommendation? Will only three be read if more are submitted?
You may submit more than three if you desire.
2. Do you have any information regarding the average GRE scores for your accepted students for the last fall semester?
Between 550 and 580, verbal. But we take the whole application into account.
3. Is there a page recommendation for the research paper requirement?
Twenty or more pages are desirable.
4. Is it recommended to apply for both the MA and PhD programs in Public History? I've had some professors tell me to wait until I earn my Masters degree and others encourage me to go ahead and apply for both. I understand the reasons behind both arguments, but I'm still unsure as to the best course of action. My close friend who attended Loyola as an undergraduate suggested that I ask a professor who teaches in the Public History program. Would you advise this also? If so, could you suggest a professor who I could contact?
In regard to your question about applying for the accelerated program, y0u could go ahead and apply for the doctoral program because we make those decisions first. But you should also state in your personal statement (toward the end) that you wish to be considered for the MA program, if your are not admitted into the doctoral program. Then, we will know to shift your application over to the MA if necessary.
If you have further questions about Public History, please contact Professor Ted Karamanski: Tkarama@luc.edu.
Non-US undergraduate degrees, etc.
Below you can read the response I received regarding your question about credits, etc., from a non-US program. As you can see, it will ultimately be determined by the specific courses and the Graduate School cannot make that decision until you actually submit your materials.
We would first want to see the evaluation and the US transcript before making any assessment or recommendation. It's difficult to say without have the documents before us. But ultimately, if she does not have bachelor's equivalency and has taken additional courses in the US, it will be a question for The Graduate School.
We would first want to see the evaluation and the US transcript before making any assessment or recommendation. It's difficult to say without have the documents before us. But ultimately, if she does not have bachelor's equivalency and has taken additional courses in the US, it will be a question for The Graduate School.
US Urban and Cultural History; Public History
Thank you very much for your interest in our program. As you can see on our website, we do emphasize US Urban and Cultural History with a program in Public History as well. That page will also provide information about our requirements, etc. I likewise recommend that you consult the page which indicates individual faculty and their specializations. You should feel free to contact any of those persons whose work seems relevant to your interests. They will be able to give you more detailed responses about the program. If you have further questions, I will be glad to try answering them, or to direct them to the most appropriate person.
Accelerated Ph.D.; Apply for Ph.D and/or MA?
QUESTION:
I saw that I could apply for the fast track 2 1/2 year doctorate program. If I don't get into the program for the fast track doctorate degree, then I would be perfectly fine doing my studies the traditional way starting at Loyola with a masters and then finishing at Loyola with my doctorate. I am wondering, however, how do I go about the application. Do I fill out two applications? One for the fast track doctorate program and one for the masters program or can I fill out one.
I saw that I could apply for the fast track 2 1/2 year doctorate program. If I don't get into the program for the fast track doctorate degree, then I would be perfectly fine doing my studies the traditional way starting at Loyola with a masters and then finishing at Loyola with my doctorate. I am wondering, however, how do I go about the application. Do I fill out two applications? One for the fast track doctorate program and one for the masters program or can I fill out one.
ANSWER:
Thank you very much for your interest in our program. In regard to your question about applying for the accelerated program, I recommend that you go ahead and apply for the doctoral program because we make those decisions first. But you should also state in your personal statement (toward the end) that you wish to be considered for the MA program, if your are not admitted into the doctoral program. Then, we will know to shift your application over to the MA if necessary.
US Urban; US Evangelicism
We do, indeed, focus on US Urban History and some of the other areas you have mentioned. In addition, we have recently hired Professor Kyle Roberts who is expert in, among other things, 19th-century evangelicism. Here is a link to his website. If you have more detailed questions about that area, or any other specialization, I recommend that you contact the relevant faculty members directly. They will be able to give you more precise answers.
Non-Degree Status
You can also apply to our graduate program as a non-degree student. As a non-degree student, a person can take up to 3 classes. NO more. You can then apply these classes to their degree program, if you do apply and get admitted into the program at a later date. The non-degree option is something that students may want to do as a way to test the waters and see if they really want to do a MA degree (or Ph.D.). You would also be able to write a paper that they could use as a writing sample for a degree application. If you don't have any history credits, they will have to take three more courses somewhere else. If a student is admitted as a non-degree student, we admit them last and after registration has already started. That way, you only take classes that are still open and don't take spaces from students who are in the program.
Course Loads per Semester
I tell all new students that if they are working 20 hours or more, they should only take 2 courses because 3 will be too much. If they are going to go full time (3 courses), then they may want to take a 300 level class for graduate credit in their first term (to help with the transition to grad school). This is especially true for Medievalists and Europeanists since we offer less at the 400 level.
18 Hours of undergrad History credit for admission
Question:
I am very interested in specializing in Modern Europe and minoring in Early Modern Europe or Britain and Ireland. My concern is that admission requires 18 hours of undergraduate coursework in History and also a sample of historical writing. I took 12 hours of History courses in college and none of those classes required any historical writing outside of exams. Does this make me unqualified for admissions? Is there something I could do, such as take another history course, to make up for this?
Answer:
Answer:
The 18 credit hours is our rule. But you can certainly take two more history courses to get to 18 credit hours. Students do that all the time. That would be fine. You could even apply as a non-degree student and take our courses. That way, you would develop a paper that could be used as a writing sample. The writing sample is key. If you do take two more courses, they should be at the 300 level or higher and include some kind of long (preferably research) paper.
MA Essay as Seminar and Research Tool
The MA essay (history 599) does count for your second 500 level seminar. You do NOT need two research tools for a MA. You only need one research tool. But your research tool can not also count for a public history minor field. (You can't double dip).
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