Degree Outline

The M.A. Maritime Studies requires a total of 36 s.h. of course work. For a comprehensive outline of the master’s degree in Maritime Studies and to check semester-semester offerings, please refer to the latest Course Catalog and Graduate Guidelines. For an example of a recommended course schedule, see below.

As of August 2023, the MA in Maritime Studies has a revised curriculum.  Students must complete:

4 core prerequisite classes (12 s.h.)
  1. HIST 6805 – History and Theory of Maritime Archaeology (fall semester of 1st year) (3 s.h.)
  2. HIST 6820 – Maritime Archaeological Field Methods (spring semester of 1st year, HIST6805 is a prerequisite) (3 s.h.)
  3. HIST 5530 – Field School in Maritime History and Underwater Research (summer of 1st year, HIST6805 and HIST6820 are prerequisites) (3 s.h.)
  4. HIST 6900 – Historiography: Introduction to Research (fall semesters) (3 s.h.). This course can be taken in the 2nd year, but it is recommended to be taken in the 1st year (1st semester) to help in the process of crafting a thesis topic.
Thesis hours (HIST7000) (6 s.h.)

All admitted students should seek a thesis adviser upon entry, securing an adviser by the end of spring semester of their first year.

1-2 courses of research skills (3-6 s.h.)

The History Department maintains a list of research skill classes, and petitions for particular graduate-level research skill classes can be made via a thesis advisor.  The present list of approved research skill classes include:

  1. HIST 5950 – Introduction to Quantitative History (2 s.h) & HIST5951 Directed Readings and Research in Quantitative History (1 s.h.) (3 s.h. total; both must be taken)
  2. COAS 6000 – Scientific Diving and Underwater Research Techniques (3 s.h) (scheduled by ECU’s Diving and Water Safety Office; Students must contact ECU DWS to ensure their eligibility to enroll)
  3. GEOG 6401 – Geographic Information Systems (3 s.h.) (scheduled by ECU’s Department of Geography, Planning, and Environment)
  4. Graduate-level language courses are also eligible (all scheduled by ECU’s Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures)
The remaining courses, are referred to as electives (12-15 s.h.)

Maritime-focused electives vary by semester based upon instructor availability to teach courses. The course catalog and graduate guidelines provide an overview of all potential electives. You can view typical courses offered in our program, here.

Course Recommendations for Incoming Students

Incoming students are recommended to take the following classes in their first 18 months:

First regular semester (fall) of Year 1 (9 s.h. + COAS 6000)
  1. HIST 6805 – History and Theory of Maritime Archaeology (offered fall semesters only) (3 s.h.)
  2. HIST 6900 – Historiography: Introduction to Research (offered fall semesters only) (3 s.h.).
  3. Another choice of your interest (3 s.h.; contact the program director, or graduate program director for a list in a given semester)
  4. COAS 6000 (3 s.h.) — an exception to the 9 s.h. cap in the first semester is made for this course only.
Second regular semester (spring) of Year 1 (9 s.h.)
  1. HIST 6820 – Maritime Archaeological Field Methods (offered spring semesters only, HIST6805 is a prerequisite) (3 s.h.)
  2. A 3 semester hours course of your interest (you will be provided a list)
  3. A 3 semester hours course of your interest (you will be provided a list)
Summer session 1 of Year 1 (3 s.h.)
  1. HIST 5530 – Field School in Maritime History and Underwater Research (summer of 1st year, HIST6805 and HIST6820 are prerequisites) (3 s.h.)

By the conclusion of the first year, students should have found a thesis adviser to help them select remaining courses.

Third regular semester (fall) of Year 2 (9 s.h)

Students intending a career in maritime archaeology (9 s.h.)

  1. HIST6650: Fall field school (HIST6805, HIST6820, HIST5530 are prerequisites) (6 s.h.)
  2. A 3 semester hours course of your interest (you will be provided a list)

Students intending a career in maritime history (9 s.h.)

  1. A 3 semester hours course of your interest (you will be provided a list)
  2. A 3 semester hours course of your interest (you will be provided a list)
  3. A 3 semester hours course of your interest (you will be provided a list)

By the conclusion of the first year, students should have found a thesis adviser to help them select remaining courses.