the jmp Archival studies

Before You Apply

program requirements

  • 21 credit hours of coursework at the 7000 level

    • 6 credit hours in HIST 7372

    • 6 credit hours in HIST 7382

    • 6 credit hours in HIST 7110

    • 3 credit hours in some other HIST 7000 level course of the student’s choosing

  • An internship (HIST 7394) worth 0 credit hours.

    • This is a work experience placement in an archive arranged in consultation with the Director of the Archives program for at least 2 months (8 weeks). Completion of this requirement is assessed on a pass/fail basis.

  • 2 zero-credit, pass/fail courses

    • GRAD 7500 Academic Integrity Tutorial must be completed online within your first term of registration.

    • GRAD 7300 Research Ethics Course must be completed online within your first year of registration.

  • Proficiency in a second language is demonstrated in one of the two following ways:

    • OPTION 1: Language courses

      • If you successfully completed 6 credit hours of introductory language classes during your undergraduate degree, you are exempt from taking more and have already fulfilled the language requirement.

      • If you need to complete a language course during your MA program, you must receive a B grade or better. Be aware that not all language options are offered over the summer.

      • Language courses fill up fast.

    • OPTION 2: Language translation exam

      • The language translation exam allows you to bypass the courses but is not offered often.

      • In this exam, you’re given text from a journal article (on a historical subject) in the language of your choice that you have to translate. Dictionaries and conjugation books are permitted.

      • For more information, reach out to the History Department.

  • A Major Research Paper (MRP)

    • Requires registration in HIST 7776 (0 Credit Hours)

    • You will develop a topic for your research paper in collaboration with your MRP advisor.

    • The MRP is a piece of original writing based on research including primary sources and is roughly 8,000-10,000 words in length.

    • Once complete, your MRP will be graded by your advisor and a second reader who is chosen by the chair of the JMP.

    • A minimum grade of a B on your MRP is required to pass the program.

      • If you do not receive a B on your first submission, you may re-submit once. If you do not receive a B on your second submission, you will be required to withdraw from the program.

    • For more information about writing your MRP, consider participating in our Planning, Writing, and Researching Workshop, which runs every Fall and Winter semester. Click here for more information.

You will be assigned an advisor from among the core faculty of the archival studies program.  

ideal Timeline

Program Length: 2-4 years. (Program must be completed within four years of the start date.)!

The following timeline is an ideal timeline but not a required timeline. You may choose to go about things differently, or life might get in the way and make things take longer than you expect. That’s okay!

Year One:

  • (September) Set up a meeting with your advisor. Make sure you’re on the same page with your advisor on when things are expected to be completed.

  • (September-April) Complete HIST 7372, HIST 7382, and HIST 7110.

    • While you can complete the 3 credit hours in some other HIST 7000 level course in your first year, students are generally advised to leave this until their second year.

  • (September-April) Complete your language requirement.

    • If you’re doing the courses instead of the exam, make sure you register early.

    • If you are doing a translation exam instead of a course, make sure you start preparing early. While you can take the exam as many times as you need to, they are not offered often. If an exam time is offered, take it.

  • (May-June) You will complete your first annual progress report with your advisor and the Graduate Chair. In this review, you’ll go over where you’re at in the program, what you’ve completed and what you still need to complete. Your advisor will provide an assessment of your progress, and you’ll also have time to provide feedback. Both you and your advisor will sign off on the review, which will be added to your student file.

  • (May-August) Complete the 8-week internship (HIST 7394).

    • This archival work experience placement is arranged in consultation with the Director of the Archives program. Completion of this requirement is assessed on a pass/fail basis.

Year Two:

  • (September-April) If you have not already done so, complete 3 credit hours in some other HIST 7000 level course.

  • (September-April) If you have not already done so, complete your language requirement.

  • (September-April) Complete your Major Research Project.

Subsequent Years:

  • Work on whatever you haven’t completed.

Other Notes

  • Students require a minimum 3.0 grade-point average in their coursework before they are permitted to submit a thesis.

  • Manitoba Student Aid will only provide funding (if you qualify - for more information, click here to visit the Manitoba Student Aid site) for 3 years.

For more information, contact the University of Manitoba department of history.

Department of History
403 Fletcher Argue Building
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada
Phone: 204-474-8401
https://umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/departments/history/
history@umanitoba.ca