Program Mission: The Option in Historical Administration introduces students to the problems, philosophies, ethics, and techniques of preserving, interpreting, and administering historical sites and collections, and prepares students for work in historical museums, archives, historical societies, and related cultural organizations.

 Admission Requirements: To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs”). Additional requirements include completing a Historical Administration Program application, submitting a statement of professional goals, and two confidential letters of recommendation. Historical Administration Program applications are available from the graduate coordinator, or on-line at http://www.eiu.edu/~history.   Students must have written approval of the department prior to counting any graduate-level course (outside Eastern Illinois University’s History Department) toward graduate credit.

 
Study Plan Approval: Historical Administration students follow a required curriculum and faculty compose the student’s comprehensive oral exam committee.

 
Degree Requirements: Degree requirements include those outlined for the master’s degree by the Graduate School (see “Requirements for the Master’s Degree”).  Candidates for the Master of Arts in History with Historical Administration Option must pass a written comprehensive examination, successfully complete a 6 month internship, submit a graded and revised research paper that includes an extensive bibliography of the topic covered in the paper, and pass an oral comprehensive exam that integrates knowledge gleaned from the internship. Those students whose oral exam is awarded a “pass with distinction” by  the exam committee may be awarded (upon the approval of the full exam committee) a “pass with distinction” on the certificate of comprehensive knowledge (and the official transcript).

Graduate Assistantships: Information on graduate assistantships may be obtained by contacting the Historical Administration Program Coordinator, Department of History, 2740 Coleman Hall, EIU or by visiting the website at http://www.eiu.edu/~history.