The Accelerated Graduate Pathway (4+1) is a highly selective program. The program is designed for a non-thesis MA degree. It is intended for students seeking credentials to secure employment in jobs which emphasize research, analytical skills, and critical thinking.
In order to participate in the AGP (4+1) in History, a student must meet the following admission standards:
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Choose the USM History major.
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Apply for admission to the AGP toward the end of 3rd year of study (3rd year defined here as completion of no less than 60 and no more than 100 credits). Student must identify faculty members from both UM and USM who are willing to serve as academic mentors prior to admission. Student must also have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.5 at time of application to the AGP. Application to the AGP must be submitted to both the USM and UM History departments.
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Once admitted to the 4+1 AGP, student may take up to 9 credits worth of 500-level UMaine History courses in the final year (30 credits of study). Only those passed with a grade of B or better will count toward the Master’s program. A Prior Approval Form must be completed in cooperation with the USM History Department for all UM graduate History courses.
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Formal application for admission to the UM Master’s program must be made no later than February 1 of the 4th year of study (earlier submission is recommended). The normal GRE requirement will be waived for those students who remain in good standing in the AGP program. Students must maintain a 3.5 GPA or better through the completion of the BA degree graduation in order to have the graduate courses/credits apply to both programs.
How to Apply:
In the 3rd Year:
Fall Semester - Secure UM and USM faculty mentors based on career goals and shared research interests.
February 1 - Submit AGP application to both the USM and UM History Departments.
March 1 - Admission decision made by UM and USM. The UM Graduate Committee will communicate the names of all admitted 4+1 students to the Graduate School for provisional admission. UM Graduate school will notify applicants of admission decisions.
May 1 - Plan program of study with USM faculty mentor, complete Prior Approval Form for UM graduate courses, and register for all planned undergraduate and graduate courses.
Application to the 4+1/AGP must include:
1. A statement of purpose. This is your opportunity to speak directly to the admissions committee. Ideally, the statement should address why you wish to be admitted to the combined BA/MA program, your preparation for the program, and your future plans after receiving a MA degree. This is also an opportunity to discuss anything else the admissions committee might need to know about your candidacy, but the statement should be relevant to an application for admission to a research program. This statement should be no more than two single-spaced pages.
2. Two letters of recommendation. These letters must come from USM faculty. One letter must be from the faculty member who has agreed to be your senior year faculty mentor. These letters can be mailed/emailed directly to the program, or they can be included along with the application in a sealed envelope.
3. One letter of endorsement. This brief letter should come from the UM faculty with whom the applicant expects to work. This letter can be mailed/emailed directly to the program, or it can be included along with the application in a sealed envelope.
4. A current official USM transcript.
Applications should be sent to both:
Combined BA/MA Program in History, Department of History and Political Science, University of Southern Maine, PO Box 9300, 100 Payson-Smith, Portland, ME 04104
OR submit materials digitally to nicole.leclerc@maine.edu; and,
Combined BA/MA Program in History, Department of History, Stevens Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469. Please send all documents to umhist@maine.edu with the subject line “BA/MA Program in History application.”
Digital communication is preferred.
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