Graduate Catalog

2012 – 2013

Office of Graduate Studies and Extended Education
McKelvie Hall, 102 W. Rosedale Avenue
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
Phone: 610-436-2943
Fax: 610-436-2763
gradstudy@wcupa.edu


Revised August 2012

Holocaust and Genocide Studies


409 Main Hall
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-2789
610-436-2345
Dr. Friedman, Director and Coordinator of Graduate Studies

Professors [top]

Mary P. Brewster, Ph.D. (Criminal Justice)
Kevin Dean, Ph.D. (Communication Studies)
Jonathan Friedman, Ph.D. (History)
Paul D. Green, Ph.D. (English)
William L. Hewitt, Ph.D. (History)
Lisa Kirschenbaum, Ph.D. (History)
Margarete J. Landwehr, Ph.D. (Languages and Cultures)
David G. Levasseur, Ph.D. (Communication Studies)
Deborah Mahlstedt, Ph.D. (Psychology)
Jasmine Tamahseb McConatha, Ph.D. (Psychology)
Yury Polsky, Ph.D. (Political Science)
Frauke I. Schnell, Ph.D. (Political Science)

Associate Professors

Brian O'Neill, Ph.D. (Criminal Justice)
Christopher Teutsch, Ph.D. (English)
Joan Woolfrey, Ph.D. (Philosophy)

Programs of Study [top]

Holocaust and genocide studies offers a master of arts degree for students who complete the necessary 30 hours in the degree program. For the master's degree, field studies and a thesis are options. A graduate certificate is also offered for students who complete an 18-hour program of study.

Master of Arts in Holocaust and Genocide Studies [top]

The purpose of this program is to provide its graduates with the background and intellectual skills needed to either pursue careers as teachers or as history professionals for work in museums, archives, libraries, and other institutions.

Admission Requirements

In addition to satisfying the University's general graduate admission requirements, applicants must submit two letters of recommendation and a statement of personal goals.

Requirements for the M.A. Degree


  1. Any history course with a grade of less than 3.0 GPA will not be accepted for credit toward the degree.
  2. In order to complete the program, students must pass a written comprehensive examination.

Curriculum (30 semester hours)

  1. Phase I – core content (12 semester hours)
    HIS 523, 543, 545, 546
  2. Phase II – electives (12 semester hours)
    Four courses selected from the following:
    COM 503, 505, 509; CRJ 505, 555; EDF 589; EGE 409; ENG 573; GER 420; HIS 520, 535, 536, 544, 547, 548, 549, 602, 651, 660; PHI 512, 570, 588, 590; PSC 530, 590; PSY 509, 540, 543
  3. Phase III – thesis or nonthesis options (6 semester hours)
    Thesis option
    HIS 691 (6)
    Oral thesis defense
    OR
    Nonthesis option
    Research paper in HIS 545, 546, 650, 651, or 652
    Two courses (six semester hours) chosen from COM 503, 505, 509; CRJ 505, 555; EDF 589; EGE 409; ENG 573; GER 420; HIS 520, 535, 536, 544, 547, 548, 549, 602, 651, 660; PHI 512, 570, 588, 590; PSC 530, 590; PSY 509, 540, 543
    Written comprehensive examination in the core content (Phase I)
    Oral examination

Certificate in Holocaust and Genocide Studies

Curriculum (18 semester hours)

  1. Required courses (6 semester hours)
    HIS 545 and 546
  2. Elective courses (12 semester hours)
    Four courses, to be selected under advisement, from the following:
    COM 503, 505, 509; CRJ 505, 555; EGE 409; ENG 573; GER 420; HIS 520, 523, 535, 536, 543, 544, 547, 548, 549, 602, 651, 660; PHI 512, 570, 588; PSC 530, 590; PSY 509, 540, 543

Certificate in Holocaust and Genocide Studies

Curriculum (15 semester hours)


  1. Required courses (9 semester hours)
    HIS 545 and 546
    One additional course to be selected under advisement.
  2. Elective courses (6 semester hours)
    Two courses, to be selected under advisement, from the following:
    COM 503 and 507; CRJ 505; EGE 408-409; ENG 615; HIS 543, 548, 549, 602; PHI 512; PSC 542; PSY 540, 543

Course Descriptions [top]

Course titles and descriptions in holocaust and genocide studies are listed under the relevant department.