the JMP Major Research paper (MRP) Stream

Before you apply

Program requirements

  • 21 credit hours of coursework beyond the B.A. Honours level (4 full year or equivalent courses)

  • 6 credit hours of HIST 7110: Advanced Historical Methodologies

    • This course is offered over two semesters - the class is held on the University of Winnipeg campus one semester and the University of Manitoba campus the other.

  • A minimum of 12 credit hours must be at the 7000 level over two areas

  • 3 credit hours (one course) may be at the 4000 level if the course is outside the history department. Otherwise, it must be at the 7000 level.

  • 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.

    • 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.

Upon admission, you will indicate who you would like as an advisor. If you do not indicate someone, or your first choice is unavailable, an alternate advisor will be arranged in consultation with the Chair of the JMP.

  • While technically you can request a change of advisor during your program, it is highly discouraged and not a decision that is taken lightly.  

ideal Timeline

Program Length: 1-2 years. (Program must be completed within two years of the start date.)

The following timeline is an ideal timeline, but not a required timeline. You may choose to go about things a little 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 your coursework and work on your major project.

  • (September-April) Complete your language requirement.

    • If you’re doing the courses instead of the exam, make sure you register early. Part one of the introductory language courses is only offered in the Summer & Fall.

    • 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) If you’ve not yet completed the program, 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 of your own. Both you and your advisor will sign off on the review and it will be added to your student file.

Year Two (if needed):

  • Work on whatever you didn’t complete in year one!

Other notes

  • To pass the program, you must achieve at least a B on your project (graded by both your advisor and second reader).

  • If you do not get a B on your initial submission, you are permitted to re-submit your project once. If you do not get a B on the resubmission, you will be withdrawn from the program.

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