Maritime Studies, MA

Graduate Program Director /Coordinator for Maritime History: Nathan Richards (100 Eller House; 252-328-1968; richardsn@ecu.edu)

The Maritime Studies, MA was established in 1981 with a unique combination of disciplines. Students can study both maritime history and nautical archaeology while concentrating on a single historical period, regional area, or thematic interest. Students can study a combination of courses in maritime history, nautical archaeology, or conservation under the aegis of a single program.

The Maritime Studies, MA requires a total of 36 s.h. of course work. The student must take 12 s.h. of core HIST courses and between 12-15 hours of electives in history and maritime archaeology that support the student’s thesis research. Research skills requirements account for 3-6 semester hours, based on a list of approved courses maintained by the graduate director. Examples include courses in quantitative history (HIST 5950, HIST 5951), geographical information systems (GEOG 6401), scientific diving (COAS 6000), or an approved graduate-level language course.

Students must complete a written thesis. A public thesis defense is held to establish how their manuscript contributes to their area of study, and includes an oral comprehensive examination where the student must demonstrate their knowledge of their field of concentration. Thesis hours account for a minimum of 6 semester hours.

The degree requires a minimum of 36 s.h. as follows:

I. Core courses - 12 s.h.

II. Electives - 12-15 s.h.

The program coordinator and student select history (HIST) electives that support the student’s thesis research.

III. Research skills requirement - 3-6 s.h.

Courses are selected based on advising. These courses could include geography (GEOG) or quantitative history (HIST). A language course for credit may be taken if approved by the program coordinator. A selection of approved research skills is maintained by the graduate director.

IV. Thesis - 6 s.h.

An oral comprehensive examination will be a component of the thesis defense. Candidates will be required to demonstrate knowledge of their field of study as well as establish how their thesis contributes to that field of study.

HIST 7000 - Thesis

Comprehensive Assessment Requirement

All graduate programs at ECU require students to successfully complete a comprehensive assessment. To meet this requirement, this degree requires a written thesis, public thesis defense, and an oral comprehensive examination.