As you explore the offerings of the History Department's graduate programs, you find a wealth of advanced opportunities awaiting you. Whether you're aiming for a Master's or a PhD, the department presents an extensive variety of research concentrations—allowing you to delve deep into the era, region, or thematic area that captures your intellectual curiosity. Here, you won't just be a passive consumer of knowledge. Instead, you're expected to contribute to the field, breaking new ground with your original research under the mentorship of accomplished faculty members. You might even have the chance to present your findings at international conferences or publish in esteemed journals. With opportunities for teaching assistantships and funded research travel, the department supports your professional development while ensuring your financial stability. Moreover, a robust network of fellow graduate students provides both camaraderie and scholarly dialogue. In this History Department, the graduate programs are not just about attaining a degree, but about forging your identity as a historian.
Admitted students are required to demonstrate an ability to discover and interpret historical evidence and to write cogently and lucidly. In addition to general regulations for graduate admissions, the applicant must:
- Attain an undergraduate major in history. Students whose undergraduate major was in a subject other than history, but who nevertheless wish to complete a history graduate degree, must have completed at least 20 undergraduate, upper division quarter credits with at GPA of 3.0 or better prior to full admission to the graduate program. Students with fewer than 20 history quarter credits may be offered probationary admission.
- Attain a 3.0 cumulative GPA for undergraduate work and a 3.25 GPA or better in the history major. Applicants with a lower GPA may petition the History Department Graduate Committee for special consideration.
- GRE examination requirement temporarily waived.
- Submit a 7-10 page writing sample.
- Choose an advisor and a general area of study.
- Choose either the thesis track or the examination track.
Prospective students must be approved in writing by the graduate committee (with the Graduate Director as a voting member), the Department Chair, and the prospective advisor before being granted admission to the graduate program.
For additional information including forms and other guidelines, please visit the Graduate Studies Forms and Guidelines page here.
