Graduate Degree Programs

The History Department sponsors three graduate degree programs: the Ph.D. in History, the M.A. in History, and the M.A. in Public History. Applicants may be admitted directly into the Ph.D. program without holding a master’s degree, but university guidelines expect doctoral candidates to receive an M.A. in the course of qualifying for the Ph.D. Doctoral candidates may elect to earn the M.A. in Public History, which is a valuable professional credential.

All degree candidates plan their individual programs in consultation with a faculty advisor, whom the department will assign prior to the student’s matriculation, and with the assistance of the History Department Student Services Office and the Director of Graduate Studies. Students should be sure to seek advice prior to registering for courses each term, as inappropriate course selections can significantly delay completion of a degree.

The Program of Study Form GS-51 for Ph.D. candidates and Form GS-20 for M.A. candidates is one of the most important tools in planning a graduate program. All degree candidates must file a Program of Study, approved by the faculty advisor and then endorsed by the Director of Graduate Studies, by the end of the spring advisement period in their first year in the program.