The Master of Arts, Major in History program (Thesis/Academic Track) focuses on research for students to develop the necessary skills and competences to understand, practice and disseminate history at local, regional and global scales. The university’s long-standing tradition in liberal arts education and the department’s diverse faculty and expertise expose students to different topics, areas, and fields of history to achieve a deep and broad understanding of the world. The program offers a wider range of courses in Philippine, Asian, European, U.S. and Latin American history and a unique combination of thematic courses like gender, economic, cultural, military, diplomatic, social and environmental history which equip students with both specialized and broad expertise.
In the coursework, they learn the methodological tools to approach topics from a historical and interdisciplinary perspective. Through rigorous and interdisciplinary research, students are expected to produce new histories in their chosen field. The Ateneo graduate is a person of conscience, competence, compassion and commitment. Personal academic development is rooted in local sensibilities and global cultures, and geared toward the formation of leaders and agents of social change. This is in line with the research thrust of the School of Social Sciences that calls for transformative leadership in service towards inclusive societal and human development.
Students earn their degree by completing the required 24-unit coursework, comprehensive examinations, and a 6-unit thesis where students are able to display their mastery of different
fields of study and produce and publish their original research. The program’s holistic training prepares graduates for further higher studies and careers in education, research, writing, and publication.
The Master of Arts, Major in History graduate will be able to:
Critically evaluate historical issues through a rigorous interpretation of relevant primary sources and secondary literature.
Actively engage in historiographical debates and public discourse with the benefit of a historical perspective.
Compose well-written and methodologically sound research outputs, including a master’s thesis
Produce historical knowledge with an interdisciplinary approach, social relevance and ethical respect for subjects.
Communicate their research and ideas in various settings and formats to both academic and public audiences.
Admission Requirements
To apply for the graduate programs of the history department, the applicant must fulfil the following requirements:
The applicant must be a holder of a bachelor’s degree in History or related fields.
The applicant must have at least 9 units in History in the undergraduate level; or a total of at least 15 units of social sciences courses; with no failing marks in these courses.
The applicant submits a preliminary research/capstone proposal to the Department of History
Aside from the minimum admission requirements of the Loyola Schools, the Department of History will require that applicants be interviewed by the Department Chair.
During the interview, the Chair evaluates the application based on the applicant’s undergraduate performance and the preliminary research/capstone proposal.
The degree program is looking for students who have a keen interest in historical study, can work independently; possess critical thinking skills; capable of doing research; good oral and written communication skills; and the potential to contribute to the production of knowledge in the field of History.
