Find the information and tips you need regarding applying, advising, how to write a thesis and more. For further details, consult the Columbian College Master's Student Handbook.
Find the information and tips you need regarding applying, advising, how to write a thesis and more. For further details, consult the Columbian College Master's Student Handbook.
All M.A. students are automatically assigned a faculty advisor. If you choose to write a master's thesis, the thesis advisor also serves as your general advisor. The advisor consults on course choices, degree requirements, career and academic questions and much more.
Master’s students have the option of writing a thesis. Students who do so should enroll in HIST 6998 one semester and HIST 6999 the next semester. Students writing theses will work out the specifications with their advisors.
Your thesis advisor should be a full-time faculty member whose research interests are close to your own and with whom you have a strong intellectual rapport. You must ask a faculty member to be your thesis advisor and receive their permission. While you are writing, send your advisor monthly progress reports and consult with him or her regularly.
In order to graduate, all GW students must apply for graduation following the Office of the Registrar’s instructions.
Additionally, Department of History students must also submit approved, final theses to Columbian College, and all degree requirements must be reported complete by your department by the specified date:
Spring Graduation: May 15
Fall Graduation: January 15
Summer Graduation: August 15
A typical thesis runs over 50 pages and may be modeled on an academic article in The American Historical Review, The Journal of American History or another leading journal in the field. The paper should be based on research in primary sources and demonstrate a thorough knowledge of relevant historiography.
All footnotes and bibliographies must be formatted according to the latest Chicago Manual of Style edition. Use the style the manual calls “Documentation One” unless told otherwise by your advisor. Your advisor may have certain style requirements or preferences; you should follow that style consistently throughout your work.
Follow the GW online submission guidelines.
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