us history phd programs

Department of History

Ph.d. programs.

The Department of History’s doctoral degree program seeks to train talented historians for careers in scholarship, teaching, and beyond the academy. The department typically accepts 22 Ph.D. students per year. Additional students are enrolled through various combined programs and through HSHM.  All admitted Ph.D. students receive a  full  financial aid package  from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. 

History of Science and Medicine

The  Program in the History of Science and Medicine  (HSHM)  is a semi-autonomous graduate track within the Department of History. HSHM students receive degrees in History, with a concentration in the History of Science and Medicine.  There is a separate admissions process for students interested in the History of Science and Medicine. For more information, please see the  HSHM website . 

Combined Doctoral Programs

Joint ph.d. programs.

Doctor of History Programs in America

1-25 of 170 results

MIT School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

Cambridge, MA •

Massachusetts Institute of Technology •

Graduate School

Massachusetts Institute of Technology ,

Graduate School ,

CAMBRIDGE, MA ,

Stanford University Department of Humanities and Sciences

Stanford, CA •

Stanford University •

Stanford University ,

STANFORD, CA ,

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

New Haven, CT •

Yale University •

• • Rating 4.5 out of 5   2 reviews

Master's Student: The resources at Yale are outstanding. While some of the required courses are slow-moving and less informative, I do have more academic freedom in my second year to the program to take classes that I enjoy across all departments (including data science, statistics, computer science, and law). ... Read 2 reviews

Yale University ,

NEW HAVEN, CT ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The resources at Yale are outstanding. While some of the required courses are slow-moving and less informative, I do have more academic freedom in my second year to the program to take classes that I... .

Read 2 reviews.

College of Arts and Sciences - American University

American University •

Graduate School •

WASHINGTON, DC

Mississippi State University

MISSISSIPPI STATE, MS

• • Rating 4.52 out of 5   50

Mississippi State University College of Arts and Sciences

Mississippi State University •

Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Harvard University •

• • Rating 4.56 out of 5   9 reviews

Other: I am Harvard Extension School student pursuing a master degree, ALM, in sustainability. I have achieved a 3.89 in this program so far and have qualified, applied, and accepted as a 'Special Student' in the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Through this School, I will be focusing my time at the John A. Paulson school of Engineering & Applied Sciences. Looking forward to wrapping up my final year on campus! ... Read 9 reviews

Harvard University ,

9 Niche users give it an average review of 4.6 stars.

Featured Review: Other says I am Harvard Extension School student pursuing a master degree, ALM, in sustainability. I have achieved a 3.89 in this program so far and have qualified, applied, and accepted as a 'Special Student'... .

Read 9 reviews.

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ •

• • Rating 4.33 out of 5   3 reviews

Master's Student: The best part of the Princeton University mechanical engineering graduate degree is the excellent faculty that teach the courses. They are incredibly knowledgeable and also very willing to help students in office hours or in sponsorship of projects. The worst part of the Princeton University mechanical engineering graduate degree is the lack of structure for the graduate research program which can leave you feeling unsure on the direction of your research. ... Read 3 reviews

PRINCETON, NJ ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The best part of the Princeton University mechanical engineering graduate degree is the excellent faculty that teach the courses. They are incredibly knowledgeable and also very willing to help... .

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Sanford School of Public Policy

Durham, NC •

Duke University •

• • Rating 4.75 out of 5   4 reviews

Current Master's student: My academic experience at Duke has been the most rewarding in my life. What makes Duke so great is the opportunity through the Sanford Policy School to exchange and engage ideas with professors and peers connected to my area of policy analysis. I have gotten the chance through summer internships to have real-world policy experience in analysis and implementation. Because my policy analysis is explicitly based on healthcare, I have focused on black maternal outcomes as my point of reference. I have had the opportunity to work with Professor Carolyn Barnes and collaborate since she is an expert in social and economic welfare and its effects on low-income families. The introductory and intermediate microeconomics, macroeconomics, and statistics classes give students a solid technical base when drafting briefs. One thing I would change is to provide more accessibility of recorded lectures when sick after the coronavirus. ... Read 4 reviews

Duke University ,

DURHAM, NC ,

4 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars.

Featured Review: Current Master's student says My academic experience at Duke has been the most rewarding in my life. What makes Duke so great is the opportunity through the Sanford Policy School to exchange and engage ideas with professors and... .

Read 4 reviews.

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Brown University Graduate School

Providence, RI •

Brown University •

Brown University ,

PROVIDENCE, RI ,

Brown School of Professional Studies

School of arts & sciences - university of pennsylvania.

Philadelphia, PA •

University of Pennsylvania •

University of Pennsylvania ,

PHILADELPHIA, PA ,

Rice University School of Humanities

Houston, TX •

Rice University •

Blue checkmark.

Rice University ,

HOUSTON, TX ,

Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Evanston, IL •

Northwestern University •

Northwestern University ,

EVANSTON, IL ,

College of Arts and Science

Nashville, TN •

Vanderbilt University •

Vanderbilt University ,

NASHVILLE, TN ,

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Washington University in St. Louis - Arts & Sciences

St. Louis, MO •

Washington University in St. Louis •

Washington University in St. Louis ,

ST. LOUIS, MO ,

College of Arts and Letters - University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN •

University of Notre Dame •

Doctoral Student: The faculty at Notre Dame is excellent. The student to professor ratio makes for a wonderful one to one interaction between students and teachers. At Notre Dame, my interests, dreams, goals, research and career path matter. I loved this most. I feel taken seriously and supported with every possible resources for my mental, academic and career success. One gets many opportunities to grow talents through research, and presentations with helpful and supportive feedback from students and professors. For these reasons, I find it a place to be! On the down side, the weather is at first always a challenge for one who is not used to the harsh and gloomy midwestern winter. ... Read 2 reviews

University of Notre Dame ,

NOTRE DAME, IN ,

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says The faculty at Notre Dame is excellent. The student to professor ratio makes for a wonderful one to one interaction between students and teachers. At Notre Dame, my interests, dreams, goals, research... On the down side, the weather is at first always a challenge for one who is not used to the harsh and gloomy midwestern winter. .

Social Sciences Division - University of Chicago

Chicago, IL •

University of Chicago •

• • Rating 3.75 out of 5   4 reviews

Master's Student: The University of Chicago offers many clubs you can attend. Do to COIVD most of the clubs meet online and some in person one day out of the week. There's boxing, archery, fencing, and one of my personal favorites ju-jutsu, just to name a few. These sports are completive but they also have clubs that are just for fun and any body of any skill level can join. There is also this amazing climbing wall in the recreation center but we are not allowed to climb it at the moment because of COVID restrictions. It's also convent to be surrounded by hospitals (Rush and UIC). I got hurt while I was at school, I broke my arm, and I did not have to call on anyone to take me to the hospital, I could just walk. The food is okay and you get to chose from a good selection of things. The rooms where a nice size and most of the students were so friendly it was easy to make friends. ... Read 4 reviews

University of Chicago ,

CHICAGO, IL ,

4 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The University of Chicago offers many clubs you can attend. Do to COIVD most of the clubs meet online and some in person one day out of the week. There's boxing, archery, fencing, and one of my... .

Humanities Division - University of Chicago

• • Rating 5 out of 5   1 review

Master's Student: My application process for the University of Chicago, including my interview and the prospective students welcome day was incredibly warm, informative and inspiring. I felt the community at the Department of Visual Arts at the University of Chicago gave me a lot of confidence in my potential to succeed in the program and grow a lot as an artist. ... Read 1 review

1 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says My application process for the University of Chicago, including my interview and the prospective students welcome day was incredibly warm, informative and inspiring. I felt the community at the... .

Read 1 reviews.

Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Los Angeles, CA •

University of Southern California •

University of Southern California ,

LOS ANGELES, CA ,

Cornell University College of Arts & Sciences

Ithaca, NY •

Cornell University •

Cornell University ,

ITHACA, NY ,

Rackham School of Graduate Studies

Ann Arbor, MI •

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor •

• • Rating 4.8 out of 5   5 reviews

Master's Student: The Landscape Architecture program at UMich School for Environment and Sustainability is rooted in advancing sustainable design and ecological function, rather than pure aesthetics. We have some amazing faculty very dedicated to this mission, some of whom are legends within the field. This program attracts and retains students who are diverse, passionate, friendly and helpful, and the experience at this school has been very rewarding. The curriculum is challenging but thought provoking, and everyone in the studios is happy and willing to help, fostering a warm sense of comradery and support. ... Read 5 reviews

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ,

ANN ARBOR, MI ,

5 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The Landscape Architecture program at UMich School for Environment and Sustainability is rooted in advancing sustainable design and ecological function, rather than pure aesthetics. We have some... .

Read 5 reviews.

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences - Georgetown University

Nw Washington, DC •

Georgetown University •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   2 reviews

Master's Student: The program is highly practical. The professors explain concepts in class and give us home works to submit on each topic discussed on a weekly basis. This enables us to grasp the concepts more. We are informed of the professors office time and so we can email them to make inquiries and get assistance when needed. We make presentations during class which train us to become more bold and be able to communicate the concepts easily. We are able to discuss and critic writings independently. We work on projects in groups of about 3-4 and discuss findings to the entire class and professor. We review research papers and make meta-analyses inform of class projects. The program is well structured and i am gaining skills. My worst experience is having to worry about Tuition and other related school bills. ... Read 2 reviews

Georgetown University ,

NW WASHINGTON, DC ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The program is highly practical. The professors explain concepts in class and give us home works to submit on each topic discussed on a weekly basis. This enables us to grasp the concepts more. We... .

School of Arts and Sciences - Tufts University

Medford, MA •

Tufts University •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   4 reviews

Master's Student: My experience was mostly great! I felt supported by faculty and staff and became involved in student activities. It was just unfortunate that my on-campus experience was cut short due to the pandemic so I was not able to fully take advantage of all the program and graduate school had to offer. ... Read 4 reviews

Tufts University ,

MEDFORD, MA ,

4 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says My experience was mostly great! I felt supported by faculty and staff and became involved in student activities. It was just unfortunate that my on-campus experience was cut short due to the pandemic... .

UCLA College of Letters and Science

University of California - Los Angeles •

• • Rating 3 out of 5   1 review

University of California - Los Angeles ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 3 stars.

Krieger School of Arts & Sciences

Baltimore, MD •

Johns Hopkins University •

• • Rating 4.53 out of 5   19 reviews

Master's Student: I have yet to enroll for Fall 2023 after receiving my acceptance letter due to a delay in my need-based financial aid from JHU. However the Homewood Campus in Baltimore is beautiful and my Student Advisor, Alexis has been extremely helpful in initiating my enrollment process and answering all of my questions in a timely matter. My intended Advanced Academic Program is the accelerated (2 semester), dual-modality, 40-credit M.S. in Biotechnology, Biodefense concentration. All of the anticipated course subjects are diverse and there's even a customizable core lab course on campus (at least until Summer 2024). I can't wait and I wish you all the best in your search for academic programs or professional certifications. ... Read 19 reviews

Johns Hopkins University ,

BALTIMORE, MD ,

19 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I have yet to enroll for Fall 2023 after receiving my acceptance letter due to a delay in my need-based financial aid from JHU. However the Homewood Campus in Baltimore is beautiful and my Student... .

Read 19 reviews.

Dietrich College of Humanities & Social Sciences

Pittsburgh, PA •

Carnegie Mellon University •

Carnegie Mellon University ,

PITTSBURGH, PA ,

The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences - University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA •

University of Virginia •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   1 review

Alum: Very good in some areas, excellent in other areas, many academic choices available in all areas of study ... Read 1 review

University of Virginia ,

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says Very good in some areas, excellent in other areas, many academic choices available in all areas of study .

American University

• • Rating 4.53 out of 5   150

College of Arts and Sciences - Lehigh University

Lehigh University •

BETHLEHEM, PA

College of Arts, Sciences and Education - Florida International University

Florida International University •

Showing results 1 through 25 of 170

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Graduate Program

Graduate program overview  .

The goal of the doctoral program is to train students to become both skilled scholars and conscientious teachers. Throughout the program students work with advisors and other faculty members as they engage in coursework , prepare for and take the  general exam , work as teaching fellows , and research and write the dissertation . On average it takes seven years to receive the doctoral degree*. Most graduates have pursued academic careers at universities and colleges in the United States and abroad, while others have gone on to successful careers in law and in government.

As a large research university, Harvard offers many resources and opportunities for its students in the form of lectures , conferences , research centers , fellowships, and grants . Students have access to the more than 80  libraries and 15 million volumes that comprise the Harvard University Library, the largest university library in the world.

Additionally, students may take courses offered by other departments in the Faculty of Arts & Sciences, or at other Harvard schools , such as Harvard Divinity School , Harvard Law School , Harvard Graduate School of Education , and Harvard Kennedy School .

In coordination with Harvard Law School, students may pursue both a PhD in history and a JD at the Law School . To learn more about this course of study consult the Coordinated JD/PhD program overview.

* The History Department does not offer a terminal master's program.

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Recent PhDs

Graduate Program Contacts:

Director of Graduate Studies

Joyce Chaplin

Graduate coordinator.

Dan Bertwell

Graduate Students

Learn more about our  students' research interests and dissertation projects.

CURRENT STUDENTS

Ph.D. Program

Stanford Ph.D. Program in History aims to train world-class scholars.

Every year we admit 10-12 promising students  from a large pool of highly selective applicants. Our small cohort size allows more individual work with faculty than most graduate programs in the United States and also enables funding in one form or another available to members of each cohort.

Fields of Study

Our graduate students may specialize in 14 distinct subfields: Africa, Britain, Early Modern Europe, East Asia, Jewish History, Latin America, Medieval Europe, Modern Europe,  Ottoman Empire and Middle East, Russia/Eastern Europe, Science, Technology, Environment, and Medicine, South Asia, Transnational, International, and Global History, and United States. Explore each field and their affiliates . 

The department expects most graduate students to spend no less than four and no more than six years completing the work for the Ph.D. degree. Individual students' time to degree will vary with the strength of their undergraduate preparation as well as with the particular language and research requirements of their respective Major fields.

Expectations and Degree Requirements

We expect that most graduate students will spend no less than four and no more than six years toward completing their Ph.D. Individual students' time-to-degree vary with the strength of their undergraduate preparation as well as with the particular language and research requirements of their respective subfield.

All History Ph.D. students are expected to satisfy the following degree requirements:

• Teaching: Students who enter on the Department Fellowship are required to complete 4 quarters of teaching experience by the end of their third year. Teaching experience includes teaching assistantships and teaching a Sources and Methods course on their own.
• Candidacy : Students apply for candidacy to the PhD program by the end of their second year in the program.
• Orals:  The University Orals Examination is typically taken at the beginning of the 3rd year in the program.
• Languages: Language requirements vary depending on the field of study.
• Residency Requirement : The University requi res  135 units of full-tuition residency  for PhD students. After that, students should have completed all course work and must request Terminal Graduate Registration (TGR) status. 

Browse the Ph.D. Handbook to learn more .

The History Department offers 5 years of financial support to PhD students.  No funding is offered for the co-terminal and terminal M.A. programs. A sample Ph.D. funding package is as follows:  

• 1st year: 3 quarters fellowship stipend and 1 summer stipend 
• 2nd year: 2 quarters TAships, 1 quarter RAship (pre-doc affiliate), and 1 summer stipend 
• 3rd year: 2 quarters TAships, 1 quarter RAship (pre-doc affiliate), and 1 summer stipend 
• 4th year: 3 quarters of RAships (pre-doc affiliate) and 1 summer stipend 
• 5th year: 3 quarters of RAships (pre-doc affiliate) and 1 summer stipend

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

Join dozens of  Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences students  who gain valuable leadership skills in a multidisciplinary, multicultural community as  Knight-Hennessy Scholars  (KHS). KHS admits up to 100 select applicants each year from across Stanford’s seven graduate schools, and delivers engaging experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders ready to address complex global challenges. As a scholar, you join a distinguished cohort, participate in up to three years of leadership programming, and receive full funding for up to three years of your studies at Stanford. candidates of any country may apply. KHS applicants must have earned their first undergraduate degree within the last seven years, and must apply to both a Stanford graduate program and to KHS. Stanford PhD students may also apply to KHS during their first year of PhD enrollment. If you aspire to be a leader in your field, we invite you to apply. The KHS application deadline is October 11, 2023. Learn more about  KHS admission .

How to Apply

Admission to the History Graduate Programs are for Autumn quarter only.  Interested applicants can online at  https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/apply/apply-now and submit the following documents: 

• Statement of Purpose (included in Application)
• 3 Letters of Recommendation
•  Transcripts are required from all prior college level schools attended for at least one year.  A scanned copy of the official transcript is submitted as part of the online application.  Please do not mail transcripts to the department.   We will ask only the admitted students to submit actual copies of official transcripts.
• 1 Writing Sample on a historic topic (10-25 pages; sent via  Stanford's online application system  only)
• The GRE exam is not required for the autumn 2024 admission cycle
• TOEFL for all international applicants (whose primary language is not English) sent via ETS. Our University code is 4704.
• TOEFL Exemptions and Waiver information
• Application Fee Waiver
• The department is not able to provide fee waivers. Please see the link above for the available fee waivers and how to submit a request. Requests are due 2 weeks before the application deadline.

The Department of History welcomes graduate applications from individuals with a broad range of life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who would contribute to our community of scholars. Review of applications is holistic and individualized, considering each applicant’s academic record and accomplishments, letters of recommendation, and admissions essays in order to understand how an applicant’s life experiences have shaped their past and potential contributions to their field.

The Department of History also recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

Application deadline for Autumn 2024-25 is Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 11:59pm EST . This is a hard -not a postmark- deadline. 

All application material is available online. No information is sent via snail mail. Interested applicants are invited to view a Guide to Graduate Admissions at  https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/ . 

Questions? 

Please contact  Arthur Palmon  (Assistant Director of Student Services).

Department Bookshelf

Browse the most recent publications from our faculty members.

In the Shadow of Liberty: The Invisible History of Immigrant Detention in the United States

Uncertain Past Time: Empire, Republic, and Politics | Belirsiz Geçmiş Zaman: İmparatorluk, Cumhuriyet Ve Siyaset

Embodied Knowledge: Women and Science before Silicon Valley

Compton in My Soul

The Fox Spirit, the Stone Maiden, and Other Transgender Histories from Late Imperial China

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You will work with a stellar faculty in the Department of History and neighboring departments as you acquire advanced skills in historical research, analysis, and writing, as well as teaching.

Nine research centers affiliated with the history program offer further programs in area studies, including The Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, The David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, and The Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies. You also have access to the largest university library system in the world, consisting of 80 libraries and 17 million volumes.

Examples of dissertations students have worked on include “Cold War Capitalism: The Political Economy of American Military Spending from 1949 to 1989” and “Imperial Schemes: Empire and the Rise of the British Business-State, 1914–1939.”

Graduates of the program have gone on to teach at Yale University, Princeton University, NYU, and the University of Maryland. Others have gone on to positions outside academia as startup founders, lawyers, policy analysts, and museum curators.

Additional information on the graduate program is available from the Department of History and requirements for the degree are detailed in Policies .

Areas of Study

African History | Ancient History | Byzantine History | Early Modern European History | East Asian History | Environmental History | International and Global History | Latin American History | Medieval History | Middle Eastern History | Modern European History | Russian and Eastern European History | South Asian History | United States History

Admissions Requirements

Please review admissions requirements and other information before applying. You can find degree program-specific admissions requirements below and access additional guidance on applying from the Department of History .

Writing Sample

A writing sample is required. While there is not a specific length requirement, most writing samples are around 20 to 25 pages. If you are submitting a sample that is part of a larger work (a chapter from a thesis, for instance) you may include a brief abstract situating the piece in the larger work.

Statement of Purpose

Your statement of purpose should include why you want to study history in graduate school, why you want to study at Harvard, and indicate your research interests and potential advisors. The required writing sample should be of remarkable quality and ask historical questions. Reading ability in two languages other than English is helpful. Most statements of purpose are around 3 to 5 pages.

Standardized Tests

GRE General: Optional

In coordination with Harvard Law School, students may pursue both a PhD in history and a JD at Harvard Law School. To learn more about this course of study consult the Coordinated JD/PhD program overview.

Theses & Dissertations

Theses & Dissertations for History

See list of History faculty

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Questions about the program.

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History, PhD

The Graduate Program in History at the University of Pennsylvania has a long tradition of distinction. Beginning as one of the first programs in the United States to offer doctoral study in history, (the first Ph.D. in History was conferred in 1891); the Department continues to pioneer new areas of scholarship. In the last twenty years, faculty members of the departments in American, European, and World History have assumed a leading role in their fields. Today, few departments in the country match Penn's Department of History in coverage and depth across the entire range of history from medieval times to the present.

For more information: http://www.history.upenn.edu/graduate/program-guidelines

View the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs .

Sample Plan of Study

The total course units required for graduation is 14.

Program Milestones

• Language and Technical Competency Requirement
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The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2023 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

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Best Modern U.S. History Programs

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A graduate degree in modern U.S.

A graduate degree in modern U.S. history helps students put current events in context. Professional historians may work in academia, consulting firms or government. These are the top graduate schools for modern U.S. history. Read the methodology »

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College of Arts & Sciences

PhD Program

Interim Director of Doctoral Studies (Spring 2024) : Professor Alison Games Graduate Programs Manager : Carolina Madinaveitia Student Assistant to the Director of Doctoral Studies : Ashley Mayor

Welcome to Georgetown’s Ph.D. program in History! We are a top-notch program with strengths in multiple fields, including the United States, Early Modern and Modern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Russia and the Soviet Union, and East Asia. We encourage students with interests that span geographical regions, such as Environmental, Atlantic, and Diplomatic History. Our doctoral student community numbers roughly 100, with new cohorts of 10-12 fully-funded students each year. Our alumni have gone on to distinguished careers as historians in and out of the academy.

Our Ph.D. program has much to offer. In addition to the attention of a distinguished and award-winning History faculty, our students benefit from Georgetown’s many regional studies programs and intellectual centers, where interdisciplinary activity is prized. Opportunities for language training abound. No city has greater resources for historians than Washington, D.C.: the Library of Congress, the National Archives, the National Library of Medicine, the Folger Shakespeare Library, and many other institutions hold an unparalleled wealth of research material.

Our doctoral program is collegial and collaborative, with a vibrant intellectual life. Outside of class, students participate in seminars and conferences along with faculty, share in the activities of our Institute for Global History, grow through professional development workshops, and socialize with each other when the academic day is over. It’s a fun place to be a serious historian.

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The Graduate Program

 fields of study.

Like all major history departments in this country, we divide our graduate program into fields, most of which reflect the geographic and chronological boundaries that have traditionally organized historical research in the West, but others of which cross those boundaries (such as sociomedical sciences, Jewish history, and International & Global History).Those boundaries continue to define most faculty positions in American history departments. Every prospective Columbia student thus applies to work in a specific field. There are 13 of them, each of which has slightly different requirements:

• Early Modern Europe (1350-1750)
• International and Global History
• Jewish History
• Latin America
• Medieval Europe
• Middle East
• Modern Europe
• Socio-Medical Sciences
• United States

Prospective students should realize, however, that our history department, like many others, also provides opportunities for students to embrace broader lines of inquiry- both within and across traditional divisions by field. We urge our students, first, to explore the convergence of different methodological and theoretical approaches to history- to explore, for example, the intersections between political and social history, or the connections between diplomatic, cultural, and intellectual history. And we encourage our students, second, to consider research that moves beyond the period and place associated with their field. We continue to emphasize deep training in source analysis and empirical research,which are the foundations of professional history-writing. But we also urge students to take on research projects that situate their particular time or place in historical processes that decisively cross traditional boundaries.

We welcome applications, therefore,from students with strong interests in particular fields, who are eager to immerse themselves in the records of particular cultures and are prepared to acquire the techniques necessary for such work (languages and, for certain subjects, such specialized skills as paleography, statistics, or even musical training). But we also encourage applications from students who want as well to think about their work in terms of longer histories and broader theoretical questions.

Faculty members at Columbia conduct research and train students in several such broad, transnational areas, including:

• International history, emphasizing imperial and post-imperial histories from the 1500s forward
• Western intellectual history, medieval to modem
• Diasporic Jewish history
• Ethics and public health
• Women’s history and the history of gender
• Social and political history of the West, including history of markets, commercial culture, labor, and associated legal institutions
• The international history of race, slavery, and emancipation
• The international history of the Cold War and other systems of geopolitics
• The history of science and technology
• The global history of medicine, disease, and public health

However they define their fields, history students are not confined to the resources of our department. They are, rather, encouraged to look beyond our walls to other areas of the university or to other institutions in the New York metropolitan area.

In addition to Columbia’s fine departments in associated disciplines, such as languages and literature, art history, music, philosophy, sociology, political science, or anthropology, Columbia has a wide range of energetic interdisciplinary institutes that provide formal and informal training to graduate students throughout the university, among them the Harriman Institute for Soviet and Post-Soviet Studies , the Middle Eastern Institute , the Institute for Research on Women and Gender , and the East Asian Institute  (along with the Department of East Asian Languages and Culture ). Columbia’s School of Public Health, which offers a Ph.D. in the history of medicine and public health in association with our department; the Law School, with which we offer a joint Ph.D./J.D. program; Teachers College; and the School of International and Public Affairs are four of Columbia’s many professional schools that offer courses and other intellectual opportunities to enhance a student’s training in the history department.

Columbia history students are also entitled to take courses at no additional cost at other area universities through the Inter-University Doctoral Consortium , such as NYU, the New School, CUNY Graduate Center, Stonybrook, Fordham, Princeton, and Rutgers .

Whatever larger interests a student may have or may develop, each enters the history program through a particular field. The Graduate Student Handbook lists the thirteen fields and details the specific requirements for each (the principal differences concern language requirements, orals preparation,and seminars). Students and their advisors may, however, agree on adjustments to those requirements in response to a student’s particular interests. Students should also keep in mind that they can formally change fields, with faculty permission, and consequently adjust their programs to reflect their particular needs.

Department of History

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The Johns Hopkins Department of History welcomes graduate students as members of a diverse and congenial community of scholars. The department takes seriously the idea that graduate students are junior colleagues with much to contribute. The program is designed for students who wish to proceed directly to the PhD degree and aims primarily to train students for careers as research scholars and university teachers. At the same time, we also recognize and support students who choose to pursue other career option.

The Hopkins history department is the oldest PhD program in history in the United States and the recipients of our degrees hold distinguished positions in universities and colleges in this country and abroad.

The department continues to pioneer new areas of research. The department’s particular areas of strength include the United States (including especially African American history, colonial America, and the history of capitalism), Europe from medieval times through the 20 th century, the Atlantic world, modern Africa, Early Modern Empires (including especially the Spanish, Ottoman, and Qing empires), and Jewish history. Most members of our faculty focus on social, economic, intellectual, and cultural history. The department hosts clusters of faculty with common interests in transnational, comparative, legal and urban histories, histories of religion and heterodoxy, gender history, and the Black World. We endeavor to recruit students with a similarly varied set of interests and orientations.

The combination of flexibility, independence, scholarly collegiality, and intensity of intellectual exchange offered by the Hopkins program gives it a distinctive character. The weekly department seminar, held on Monday afternoons from 3:00-4:30pm and attended by faculty and graduate students, is the center of intellectual life in the department. The Monday Seminar – as well as specialized seminars including the Black World, European History, Gender History (known as Geminar), Atlantic World, 20 th Century U.S. History, and East Asian seminars – brings together students, faculty, and invited scholars from outside the university to discuss their research work. These seminars create a lively intellectual community in which graduate students quickly become contributing members.

The Hopkins history program places a high premium on careful mentoring of students by individual faculty. The decision to nominate any student for admission is made by the one or more faculty members who will become that student’s sponsor or sponsors. Applicants should indicate the proposed field of specialization and their interest in working with a specific cluster of faculty at the time of application.

The main criteria for admissions are outstanding intellectual promise and an evident talent for, and strong commitment to, research. Each applicant is required to submit a sample of written work, preferably a research paper that demonstrates careful use of primary documents. An ability to read at least one foreign language is also expected.

The department began offering fellowships for six years beginning with the class that matriculated in 2023. Normally, each student is required to perform four semesters of supervised teaching or research duties at some point during the graduate program, most often as a teaching assistant during the second through fourth years. For classes that matriculated prior to 2023, the department offers write-up grants conferring tuition and stipend on a competitive basis. Recipients of these grants must plan to defend their dissertations within the funded year and are expected to focus entirely on the completion of their dissertation.

The Butler Prize

The Butler Prize is awarded annually to the best paper written by a first-year student. Each year the chair of the department appoints a faculty committee to select the winner. Papers are normally nominated by faculty sponsors. The prize was established in 1957 by Dr. Alexander Butler, a graduate of the department.

Graduate Student Resources

• Graduate Handbook
• Policy on Mentoring Commitments for PhD Students and Faculty Advisors
• Graduate Student Directory
• Guide to the Advisor-Advisee Relationship
• Sample Timeline for the First Year Paper
• Minor Field Agreement Form
• Comprehensive Field Agreement Form
• Funding Renewal Form
• How to Prepare for your Dissertation

• College of Arts & Sciences
• Graduate Division
• College of Liberal and Professional Studies

Graduate Program

Tradition of distinction.

The Graduate Program in History at the University of Pennsylvania has a long tradition of distinction. One of the first programs in the United States to offer doctoral training in history (first Ph.D. conferred in 1891), the Department continues to be a leader. Few history departments in the country can match ours in global coverage and scholarly depth for the study of the past over the last half millennium.

Our faculty includes winners of distinguished honors, including the Bancroft, Parkman, and Pulitzer prizes; Carnegie, Guggenheim, MacArthur, Sloan, SSRC, and Spencer fellowships; Fulbright, NEH, and ACLS grants, among many others; and election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In addition, current members of the Department have served as presidents of the Association for Asian Studies, the American Academy for Jewish Research, the Middle East Studies Association, and the Sixteenth Century Society & Conference.

Small and Selective

Penn History admits roughly ten Ph.D. students each year, with generous fellowship support to support them through their studies and dissertation research. A hallmark of our program is close mentorship by committee. Each graduate student meets regularly with their advisor and two or three other faculty members to discuss research, course work, and career goals.

We train students to think deeply and broadly about sources, methods, and theory. In addition to comprehensive training in history, we encourage our students to take courses related to their intellectual interests in other programs, departments, and schools, including archaeology, comparative literature, education, folklore, law, philosophy, political science, sociology, and social policy. In addition, our graduate group draws from the talents of extra-Departmental historians and historically-minded scholars across the university.

Excellent Record

We are proud of our placement record. The majority of our Ph.D. graduates have secured tenure-track positions at research universities and liberal arts colleges throughout the United States and the world. Other graduates have made distinguished careers at government agencies, research institutions, libraries, and museums.

Over the decades, our alumni have made important contributions to the historical understanding of gender, class, race, and ethnicity; the history of economic and demographic transitions; intellectual and cultural studies; the social bases of political action; community formation and structure; cultural conflict and accommodation; and urban studies—among other things.

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U.S. History Ph.D.

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Why Earn a U.S. History Ph.D.?

UNT's enduring and distinguished reputations in the histories of Texas and the southwestern borderlands, in military history and in oral history have been augmented in the 21st century with new strengths in American social and cultural history that mark UNT as a leader in the rapidly advancing fields of race and ethnic studies, gender and sexuality, food and the body, and environmental history.

Areas of study for doctoral students:

1. Chronological

• Colonial and Revolutionary
• Early national
• Civil War and Reconstruction
• Late 19th- and early 20th-century
• 20th century
• American West
• Spanish and French borderlands
• Women and gender
• African American
• Mexican American
• Synthesize/interpret large amounts of data
• Pedagogical practices
• Mastery of the historical literature
• Expertise in the history of specific topics/regions
• Research/write studies based on primary sources

U.S. History Ph.D. Highlights

What can you do with a u.s. history ph.d..

The knowledge and skills students gain while earning a history degree offer excellent preparation for a seemingly endless variety of occupations. Students of history learn to analyze and evaluate evidence with care, to communicate persuasively and clearly, and to understand diverse perspectives and experiences. Many history majors directly apply course content to fulfilling careers as historians, museum professionals, historical interpreters, researchers, writers, filmmakers, and educators. According to the American Historical Association, history graduates work in almost every field imaginable, ranging from financial services to healthcare to community and social services and beyond. Particularly large numbers of history majors leverage their critical thinking and communication skills for careers in business administration or management, sales, and in the legal profession. Earning an undergraduate degree in history also offers students excellent preparation for graduate school, launching them on pathways toward careers in fields such as higher education, journalism, law, and public policy.

U.S. History Ph.D. Courses You Could Take

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Top 10 Best History PhD Programs in 2024

History helps us understand societies and allows humanity to learn from patterns and past mistakes.

Many are fascinated and enamored by history, leading to a passion that makes them want to know more.

If you’re a history lover thinking about further deepening your knowledge and establishing a career in the field, a PhD in the subject may be for you. The list of history PhD programs below contains some of the best available in the United States.

Table of Contents

Best PhD Programs in History

North dakota state university.

• North Dakota Residents $405/credit
• Minnesota Residents $514.58
• Non-US Students $607.77
• International Students $709.07

The North Dakota State University has offered its master’s degree in history since 1954. It wasn’t until 2002 that it began offering a PhD program in History. NDSU’s PhD program commonly takes three to five years to finish for full-time students, although it is not uncommon for some students to take longer.

Admission is available year-round, and applicants are required to provide GRE scores. International students whose first language is not English must pass the TOEFL. To apply for the PhD program, you must already have a master’s degree in history or hold one from another closely-related field.

There are limited funding and financial aid  opportunities available at NDSU, primarily as assistantships with tuition waivers and small stipends. This funding is renewable for four years for PhD students, provided academic requirements are met.

Unfortunately, if you’re looking for a program that allows distance learning, you will not find it in NDSU. NDSU also requires one year of residency on campus.

Boston College – Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences

• Your full-time PhD studies at Boston College will be fully paid for by tuition remissions with the expectation of good grades and an obligation to complete research/teaching assistantships and teaching fellowships.
• You may also get stipends of up to $35,875 per year.

Boston College offers masters and PhD degrees in different history specialties, with British, medieval, modern European, and United States history as some of their strongest. There are also other graduate studies interests in South Asian, East Asian, and Latin American history, and the history of religion.

Earning your PhD at Boston College means you can expect small class sizes that allow for individual and specialized attention. This institution’s program also allows for flexibility, although you are expected to complete your studies full-time.

Boston College is located in one of the best academic life centers globally, allowing students to network and collaborate with other universities through their studies.

University of Texas Arlington

• $10,828 per year in-state

The University of Texas Arlington offers students an on-campus PhD program that they can participate in part-time or full-time. Full-time course loads are nine credit hours per term, and full-time students are expected to complete their doctoral degrees within six years, while part-time students may take longer.

To apply for the PhD program at the University of Texas Arlington, you must have a BA or MA in history or  a minimum of eighteen hours of upper-division history courses during your undergrad. You must also provide your GRE scores.

The PhD in history program at the University of Texas Arlington specializes in transatlantic, transnational, and global history approaches focusing on US, European, Latin American, Transatlantic, and Transnational history. The award-winning faculty at this institution provides personalized attention to small class sizes.

The University of Texas Arlington has North America’s only specialized History of Cartography track that provides students access to the Garrett Map Collection , a world-famous map library.

Alumni of the program often establish careers as educators. They may find work as museum professionals or archival administration specialists outside of academia. They may also work for nonprofits or the government, and enjoy careers involving writing, research, and analysis at the highest level.

The University of Texas at Dallas  – PhD in History of Ideas

• $18,276 per semester

The University of Texas at Dallas offers something a little different — a PhD in History of Ideas. This PhD program was designed specifically for those who want to do advanced research or teach at a college level or higher. It concentrates on the study of philosophy as well as intellectual and cultural history with a focus on European and American history.

Students of this program can expect a flexible interdisciplinary approach to their studies that connects among specific areas of interest. Aside from their coursework in the History of Ideas, students must also attend two seminars each for visual & performance arts and literature.

Alumni of this program may become teachers and educators. They can also become curators of museums or historical sites. Other potential careers are research, history administrator, and archivist. Additionally, graduates of this program can work as managers of public or private historical organizations and work for governments or non-profit organizations.

University of California –  Santa Cruz

• $13,850 in-state
• $28,952 out-of-state

The University of California Santa Cruz offers an on-campus history PhD program that emphasizes a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary approach to the study of history with a transnational and global orientation.

UCSC provides a rigorous program that blends instruction and independent work with the intent of training students in original historical research techniques. Students are encouraged to think innovatively and trained to talk, think, and teach beyond boundaries. This program prepares its students to teach university-level courses while also providing them with the tools they need to succeed in careers outside of academia.

The University of California’s Department of History, as well as its Santa Cruz campus, is well-known for its many strengths including:

• Gender, Sexuality, & Feminist Studies
• Colonialism
• Critical Race Studies
• Internationalism
• Nationalism
• Decolonial and Postcolonial Studies
• Class & Transnational Labor Studies

Admission to UCSC’s history PhD program is highly competitive. The institution states that they only admit the most qualified, highly motivated applicants and welcome and encourage diversity in their student body.

Note: The University of California Santa Cruz no longer requires applicants to provide GRE scores.

Indiana University – Bloomington

• Indiana residents:  full-time direct costs $25,406/total estimated costs $33,272
• Non-Indiana residents: full-time direct costs $45,594/total estimated costs $53,460

​​Indiana University Bloomington has one of the largest libraries and history departments in the United States, making it one of the top choices for those interested in a future career in the field. This institution provides one of the best history doctoral programs nationwide taught by 50+ talented faculty members.

According to the program itself, Indiana University Bloomington is dedicated to training first-class historians for careers in and out of the classroom. Despite having a larger faculty, classes remain small in size so that students can receive individualized attention and advisor support.

Interested students may apply for a PhD directly without having a master’s degree. Admitted students are allowed seven years to complete their coursework and another seven years for their dissertation. However, students commonly finish their studies at a much faster pace than the allowance.

Provided they qualify, students in need of financial aid can find it by working as an associate instructor, course assistant, research assistant, or editorial assistant. Fellowships and grants are also within reach for those interested enough to apply.

New York University (Arts & Science)

• $50,638 per year
• Most new students at the NYU GSAS receive multi-year funding through the Henry M. MacCracken Program  that offers four/five-year award terms, tuition remission for degree-required courses, health insurance, a nine-month living expenses stipend OR research assistantship, and a one-time $1,000 grant that students can use at their discretion.

New York University’s Graduate School of Arts and Science, founded over a century ago in 1886, is one of the oldest schools in the US that offers doctoral degrees. It has one of the best history PhDs available in the country.

Earning your PhD at NYU GSAS means you’ll need to commit to full-time studies of 12 points per semester. A PhD is 72 points, and students must complete 24 units within the first three years of their studies.

Learning is on-campus and there are no distance-learning opportunities at this time.

The history PhD program at the New York University Graduate School of Arts and Science is research-focused. Its main objective is to develop students’ professional skills in historical research and teaching history. This objective prepares students for an eventual career in academia or research. It also prepares future graduates, part of the job hopping generation , for other jobs such as archival management.

NYU GSAS’s major areas of study include but are not limited to:

• African Diaspora
• African History
• Atlantic History
• East Asian History
• Latin American and Caribbean History
• Medieval European History
• Early Modern European History
• South Asian History
• United States History

*Interested students do not need to take the GRE if they apply for a standalone master’s or PhD in history. However, applying to joint PhD studies will require GRE results.

*International students whose first language is not English must pass the TOEFL.

Rutgers (School of Arts & Science)

• New Jersey residents:  $19,724/year
• Non-New Jersey residents:  $32,132/year

Rutgers offers funding opportunities for qualified students in the form of partial or complete tuition remission and a stipend of up to $25,000 disbursed annually. Students eligible for this aid are obligated to complete fellowships and assistantships throughout their studies.

The history PhD program at the Rutgers School of Arts and Science was designed for full-time study, taking 5 years on average. The distinguished faculty of more than 60 historians cover all sorts of areas of study and time periods, though they have strong specializations in traditional regional, thematic, transnational, comparative, cultural-intellectual, social history, and more.

Students in the program publish their research and scholarly work relatively often in major historical journals. They also present their research both nationally and internationally.

This institution’s history PhD programs such as women’s and gender history, modern U.S. history, and African-American history are often some of the most top-ranked nationwide.

University of California Berkeley

• Admitted students receive a fully-funded fellowship that includes tuition and fee remission, insurance, and an additional stipend.
• In the following years, students receive a salary and a stipend during teaching assistantships and instructorships.
• A department research year grant is also awarded alongside a stipend.
• To find out more, see their financial aid page here .

UC Berkeley’s history department is one of the top-ranked in the USA, and it offers one of the best PhD history programs in the nation.

Students learn from award-winning faculty members who have won some of the most prestigious awards in the field, including the MacArthur “Genius Award” and more. The faculty and their research cover practically everything — most of the globe and almost all of humanity’s recorded history.

The PhD program at UC Berkeley is well-known for cultural history, but it also specializes in the history of science, political history, religious history, economic history, urban history, and more.

It prepares students in four fields of study:

• Three selected fields in history (first, second, and third)
• One outside field in another discipline

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity in its student body and accepts students from all over the world.

University of Michigan (College of Literature, Science & Arts)

• The plan involves six terms of fellowship support and six years of appointment as a grad student instructor or GSI.
• Students also receive summer support for the first four years.
• After the six years are over, there are additional funding opportunities  possible.

The history PhD program at the University of Michigan has an interdisciplinary, global, and multidimensional approach to student education and training. It is regularly among the top-ranked history departments in the United States, which is a testament to the quality of education the diverse students receive here.

The program combines innovative teaching by the institution’s talented faculty with state-of-the-art research and techniques. The aim is to provide students training and preparation in their research fields, allowing them to succeed in their careers in or out of academia.

After graduation, alumni of this program enjoy relatively great placement numbers. The institution reports that only three out of nineteen graduates say they are unemployed or have no opportunities upon graduation in the past two years.

Because of the generous funding package and bright future for alumni, this program is extremely competitive. It receives around 350-400 applications for only eighteen open slots per year. It’s also worth mentioning that the average master’s GPA for applicants is 3.87.

Students must complete one year (18 credits) of the program in residence on-campus and complete the entire program within six to seven years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many years does it take to get a phd in history.

One of the main deterrents of earning any PhD is the time investment involved. The same applies to students who are earning their doctorate in history. According to Historians.org , the average time to finish a PhD in history programs is roughly eight years.

As a history PhD candidate , your program expects you to enroll in a minimum of three academic years for your graduate studies, known as your “residence.” Another common expectation is that PhD students should spend at least one year of residency at the university or institution awarding them the doctorate.

Despite requiring only three years of residence, it’s extremely rare for candidates to finish this quickly. Candidates must also fulfill the other important requirements, such as their dissertations, which often take around four years to complete.

Do I need a master’s in history to get a PhD in History?

If you’re thinking about applying for a PhD history program, you might be relieved to know that you don’t always need a master’s in history to qualify. For some educational institutions, the minimum educational attainment interested applicants need is a bachelor’s degree. However, there may be other requirements to apply, such as entrance exams, proof of interest in history, and recommendation letters.

The best thing you can do is find out whether the program you’re interested in requires a master’s degree before you apply.

How much does a history PhD cost?

The amount you pay per year may vary depending on where you choose to do your PhD.

On average, doctorates can cost as much as $30,000/year in tuition costs alone. Multiply that by eight years, and you may be paying $240,000 in total — not including any other costs incurred along the way.

If that amount sends you reeling, it might give you some relief to know that many of the best history PhD programs offer full funding and stipends to all admitted students.

There are also PhD programs in history that cost only half to a third of this amount overall.

How competitive are history PhD programs?

Those who have earned their history PhDs may tell you that the job market can be a challenge due to the limited number of positions available. The tight job market also means a more competitive admissions process, where it can be difficult to get into the PhD history programs of your choice. For example, some programs get almost four hundred applicants with fewer than twenty spots to fill.

Wrapping Up: Is a PhD in History for You?

The answer to this question depends on your preferences.

A PhD in History is often highly specialized, resulting in few career options upon graduation. However, those extremely passionate about the subject find extreme satisfaction in deepening their knowledge.

If you want a career in academia, or if you want to be working with history in some capacity in your job, a PhD may just be for you. Who knows, you may even qualify for a program that offers full funding!

Related Reading:

• Master’s in History: Ultimate Guide
• Top 5 Best PhD Programs in English
• Top 10 Highest Paying PhD Degrees
• Top 20 Online PhD Programs
• EdD vs PhD: Which One is Right For You?

Chriselle Sy

Chriselle has been a passionate professional content writer for over 10 years. She writes educational content for The Grad Cafe, Productivity Spot, The College Monk, and other digital publications.  When she isn't busy writing, she spends her time streaming video games and learning new skills.

• Chriselle Sy https://blog.thegradcafe.com/author/chriselle-sy/ Graduate Certificate vs Degree: What’s the Difference? [2024 Guide]
• Chriselle Sy https://blog.thegradcafe.com/author/chriselle-sy/ The 18 Best Scholarships for Black Students in 2024-2025
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• Chriselle Sy https://blog.thegradcafe.com/author/chriselle-sy/ Dissertation vs Thesis: Your 2024 Guide

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Loyola University Chicago

Department of history, public history/american history phd program.

Building on Loyola's already strong Master's in Public History  program, this 60-hour in-person degree program provides the opportunity for students to compete for positions calling for a doctorate, such as teaching public history at the university level, curating or administrating at governmental institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution or the National Park Service, or serving as a principal in a consulting firm. In essence, this program is similar to the standard American history PhD program but requires a double major in American History and Public History instead of a major field in American History and two minor fields. Students will leave Loyola with a firm grounding in American history as well as in the skills and theory of public history and its practice. Loyola is one of the few universities to offer a public history degree at the doctoral level and hopes to continue to attract strong non-traditional students already working in the public history profession as well as students interested in history at the doctoral level. 

Students enter the Public History/American History PhD Program in one of two ways:  (1) admission holding a BA degree or (2) admission to the Public History/American History PhD Program after receiving the MA degree.

• (with BA in hand) Admission to this program is highly selective and limited to a few outstanding undergraduates. Students will be chosen on the basis of the regular criteria (GPA, letters of recommendation, writing sample, and personal statement) by the public history program director and three faculty members who are involved in reviewing application materials. Students on this track have a 60-hour credit requirement.
• (with MA in hand) Students enter this program holding a Master's degree with a Public History concentration or with a concentration in American History. Students who must complete History 400 will have a 36-hour requirement. If students have already completed History 400 or an equivalent at the Master's level, they must complete 33 hours.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the Public History/American History PhD Program, graduates will be able to:

• Use the historical method to solve historical and historiographical problems while applying the perspectives of class, race, gender, etc. to historical events and trends;
• Identify and criticize interpretive paradigms and methodologies relevant to historical scholarship and the historical profession;
• Perform historical research in archives and libraries and evaluate the provenance, context, validity, and biases of these sources from the past;
• Apply the necessary research skills to produce original scholarship on a chosen historical topic using primary sources while evaluating the validity, context, and biases of secondary source literature produced by other scholars;
• Demonstrate the ability to deploy multiple forms of communication (written, oral, and new media) to discuss their own historical scholarship and graduate-level knowledge of their chosen fields;
• Advance the knowledge of the discipline;
• Conduct cutting edge research;
• Engage respectfully in debates about the nature of the past in order to enrich historical understanding and generate new questions and investigatory avenues;
• Use public history methods and theories to share historical interpretation with a broad range of public audiences;
• Apply new media digital tools to the preservation and presentation of archival material;
• Utilize the best professional practices to preserve, catalog, and present historical artifacts and records;
• Understand and employ local, state, and federal preservation rules to establish the significance of historic properties;
• Demonstrate the ability to work with public history institutions to make the past relevant to diverse communities.

General Degree Requirements

If a student enters with a MA Degree or some Master’s-level credit, these requirements are adjusted to accommodate MA-level work pursued at another institution.  Up to 30 hours of transfer credit may be considered.  The distribution of hours is as follows:

Required or Core Courses

Students who have not taken HIST 400 or an equivalent course at the master’s level must do so in the Ph.D. program. Additionally, all doctoral students must take History 403: The Professional Lives of Historians during their first semester in the program. They must also successfully complete at least one 500-level research seminar in their American history field. They must take History 598 in which they develop their dissertation proposal under the supervision of their major field advisor.

Major Field: American History

In consultation with their major adviser, students develop a doctoral field in American history focused on a specialized area of concentration through coursework and research. Such a definition might be, for example, 20th-century American cultural history.

Students are required to complete 21 hours from among the formal offerings in the American History field. This includes five 400-level courses and one 500-level research seminar.

To view a course catalogue, click on one of the following links:

• Current and Recent Course Descriptions and Schedules
• Regularly Scheduled Courses

Major Field: Public History

Students build their doctoral field in Public History from the five basic applied courses in public history:

• HIST 479: Public History Media (Fall)
• HIST 480: Public History Theory and Method (Fall)
• HIST 481: Management of Historical Resources (Spring, odd years)
• HIST 482: Archives and Record Management (Spring, even years)
• HIST 487: Management of History Museums (Spring, odd years)

Students in the Public History/American History PhD Program must also take one additional Public History course selected from one of the following:

• HIST 483: Oral History (Fall)
• HIST 581: Practicum in Public History (every semester)
• HIST 584: U.S. Local History (rotating basis)
• Other approved 400 or 500-level elective

Dissertation Research

The remaining hours in the Public History/American History PhD Program are to be devoted to dissertation research. Normally, three hours are fulfilled through HIST 598, the Dissertation Proposal Seminar, and the remaining hours from Directed Study and Dissertation Research.

Public History Internship

Because practical experience in an area of public history activity is an important component of public history training, all students in the Public History/American History PhD Program must also complete an internship (HIST 582). Internships are tailored to fit the needs of individual students as well as those of the host agency or organization. During the internship, students will keep regular logs of their activities and check in regularly with the Public History Program Director. Upon completion of the internship, students will write an reflection paper that will go in their final portfolios.

Portfolio Requirement

The portfolio, which represents the capstone of the Public History major field, documents the achievements of master’s students and thereby identifies their strengths, weaknesses and abilities as professional historians. Students begin compiling their portfolio during the first semester in the program. The portfolio may include, but are not limited to, the following items:

• One broadly-defined historiographical essay written in HIST 400 in the first year of the MA program
• One research essay based on primary sources and 25-35 pages in length, written with the goal of publication, completed in a 500-level research seminar
• One oral history interview transcript (if Oral History is taken)
• One National Register for Historic Places nomination, completed in HIST 481 (authored or co-authored)
• One public history internship report
• One project related to museums and/or community history prepared in conjunction with course work (HIST 480 and/or HIST 487)
• One short book review (500-700 words, similar to book reviews in the  American Historical Review )
• One long book review (1,500-3,000 words, similar to book reviews in  Reviews in American History )
• Three historiographical essays written as part of the US History field comprehensive examination
• A current resume or  curriculum vita  ( CV )

The portfolio will be evaluated by the student’s faculty advisor annually, and the final version will be submitted to the faculty committee on the date of the oral exam. Successful completion of the portfolio is required for admission to PhD candidacy.

Research Tool Requirements

Students in the Public History/American History PhD Program must complete two research tool requirements:

• One tool must be within public history and may include History 483: Oral History or History 479: Public History Media. When taken for the research tool requirement, History 483 and History 479  cannot  be counted toward the minor field in Public History. In special circumstances, students may petition the Graduate Program Director to substitute another research tool in place of the public history research tool requirement.
• The second research tool requirement may be fulfilled in two ways: a) reading knowledge of a foreign language appropriate to the student’s major field or b) mastery of a special skill required by the student’s doctoral research. With the approval of the Graduate Program Director, students may demonstrate mastery in one of the following areas: statistics, computer science, GIS, and paleography. Courses taken in these subject areas at Loyola or another academic institution may be used to show mastery of a special skill. However, these courses require prior approval by the Graduate Program Director. Paleography may be taken at the Chicago Inter-University Consortium for Advanced Studies in Renaissance and Early Modern History at the  Newberry Library .

Comprehensive Exams

Students in the Public History/American History PhD Program must take two series of comprehensive exams, one for each major field:

Public History Oral Examination: For PhD students with a public history minor field and for students in the Public History/American History PhD Program the Public History major field examination is a two-hour oral examination before a two-person faculty committee, one of whom must be either the Public History Program Director or the Graduate Program Director. Students much schedule an exam date during the semester they are finishing their Public History field courses. The portfolio (see above for details) is submitted to the faculty committee on the date of the oral exam. Usually, Public History/American History PhD Program students take their Public History oral exam before moving on to take their exams for American History.

For the  American History major field , taken near the end of their graduate program, students must pass a take-home written examination and a two-hour oral examination. For the written examination, the student will produce three 10–15 page historiographical essays based on a reading list developed in conjunction with a three-member committee of history faculty of their choosing. The committee should be established no later than the beginning of the semester in which the student intends to take the examination. Students will have two weeks to complete the exam, which will be evaluated by the committee. The two-hour oral exam will occur within two weeks of completing the written exam. The designated chronological areas are nineteenth-century U.S. history and twentieth-century U.S. history.

They should also choose two thematic areas for the examination. Thematic areas include:

• Women and Gender
• Indigenous America
• African American and Race
• American West and Borderlands
• Immigration and Ethnicity
• Environmental

Other thematic fields are possible with the approval of all committee members. Because Public History/American History PhD Program students have two major fields, they do not have any minor fields (unlike the regular PhD degree track).

Dissertation Proposal Review and Dissertation

Students will develop a "dissertation field" within their American history field. They will present a dissertation topic and proposal to their major advisor (History 598 Dissertation Proposal Seminar) for review and approval. Students formalize their proposed committee with the submission of the Dissertation Committee Recommendation form to the Graduate School.

Following the successful completion of doctoral examinations and the portfolio requirement, students will make a public presentation of their dissertation proposal to a dissertation committee, which will include the dissertation director and at least two other faculty members acquainted with the research areas of the dissertation. In discussing the proposal, students and members of the committee should work out problems and address questions the committee members may have. Upon successfully completing the dissertation proposal review, students submit a formal dissertation outline to the graduate school. Following its approval by the Graduate School and the successful completion of all other degree requirements, students are admitted to PhD candidacy.

Oral Defense

The PhD dissertation must be completed, approved by the designated committee members, and successfully defended orally at a public defense.

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Master's Degree in American History

K–12 educators can earn their graduate degree in this affordable, online, accredited program. It’s easy to apply and become an enrolled student. Applications are open all year and are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Upcoming Summer Semester Dates

• Course Registration Begins :  Saturday, March 16, 2024
• Courses Start :  Thursday, May 30, 2024

$750 per Course

10 Courses to Degree

Start Any Semester

Join us for a Q&A session on Zoom. You will meet program administrators, current students, and recent graduates who will give you an overview of the program, walk you through the application process, and answer your questions.

Next Open House: Monday, May 6, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET

At $750 per course, our MA program is highly affordable. Scholarships and financial aid can reduce this cost even further.

Next Application Deadline

• Dev Chodry Scholarship : Monday, May 13, 2024

Summer 2024 Semester Courses Include

• Alan Taylor, The Early Republic
• Elliott West, The American West
• John Stauffer, The History of American Protest
• Kermit Roosevelt III, Reconstruction and Resistance: Constructing a Nation
• Michael Neiberg, World War I (Term I)
• Michael Neiberg, World War II (Term II)
• Kellie Carter Jackson, Black Women's History (Term II)

Do you already have a master’s degree? Does your school district offer salary advancement for continued educational attainment? Take courses in the MA program as an MA+15/30 student to continue earning graduate credits. 

• Course Registration Begins : Saturday, March 16, 2024
• Courses Start : Thursday, May 30, 2024

Table of Contents:

• Scholarships & Financial Aid

Introducing the Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman MA in American History

A Master's Program Specifically for History Educators

We are proud to partner with Gettysburg College to offer an MA in American History that is affordable on a teacher’s salary and manageable while working full time. You'll meet history educators from all across America and share tips for communicating to your students the knowledge you gain. If completing your degree sounds like too much to take on right now, you can sample the program by taking up to four courses as a non-matriculated student. If you already have a master’s degree, join us to pursue your MA+15/30!  

Eligibility : We are currently accepting teachers, district supervisors, librarians, museum professionals, and National Park Service employees. Community college instructors are eligible to apply as well.

Coursework: How You’ll Learn

Each course is designed and led by a distinguished professor from the Gilder Lehrman Institute’s network of scholars. These eminent historians create syllabi and reading lists, present lectures, and hold live Q&A sessions with students. Section professors guide day-to-day coursework and communication. These instructors are well versed in distance-learning best practices and are dedicated to student success. They assess all student work, prompt and moderate discussion boards, and help students with course material and questions.

Tuition for Each Course Is Just $750

Take graduate courses and earn credits toward your MA+15/30!

If you already have a master’s degree, consider joining the MA in American History to pursue your MA+15/30. You can start during the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Courses are $750.00 each.

Featured Courses for Summer 2024

The Early Republic

Taught by Alan Taylor (University of Virginia)

The American West

Taught by Elliott West (University of Arkansas)

The History of American Protest

Taught by John Stauffer (Harvard University)

Reconstruction and Resistance

Taught by Kermit Roosevelt III (University of Pennsylvania)

What Our Students Are Saying

“I am so thankful for the Gilder Lehrman MA program.” —Eileen Bailey (Teacher at Tupelo Middle School in Tupelo, Mississippi)

“One of my favorite aspects of the program is the Q&As with our professors. They are rock stars in their field and yet they give their time to us so graciously and thoughtfully.” —Rebecca Roth (Teacher at Auburn High School in Brodhead, Wisconsin)

“I love this program. It is accessible and affordable for teachers but also rigorous and challenging.” —Coby Carlucci (Teacher at Marblehead Veterans Middle School in Marblehead, Massachusetts)

Upcoming Open House

Monday, May 6, 2024 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on Zoom

Meet program administrators, current students, and recent graduates who will give you an overview of the program, walk you through the application process, and answer your questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

General questions, what is the gettysburg college–gilder lehrman ma in american history.

The Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman MA in American History is a fully online, fully accredited, thirty-credit degree program. Following the completion of ten three-credit courses, including Historiography and Historical Methods and the Capstone in American History, students are awarded a master’s degree in American history from Gettysburg College.

Can I take courses if I am not pursuing a degree?

Yes. Graduate participants can take up to four courses (or twelve credits) as non-matriculated students. To attend as a non-degree participant, please select the non-degree option from the program drop-down menu on the online application.

Can I earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or Professional Development Points (PDPs)?

Yes. Gilder Lehrman online graduate courses are generally eligible for CEU and PDP credits, but it is your responsibility to verify eligibility with your school administration or state PD office prior to enrolling in a course. If you need more information to determine eligibility than is available on the course information page, please email us at [email protected] .

What should I know about Gettysburg College student policies?

All admitted candidates who enroll in the program will become students of Gettysburg College, and will be subject to and must comply with all program, school, and university policies and procedures applicable to students, including but not limited with respect to core course requirements, academic standing, degree requirements, academic integrity, behavioral standards, withdrawal policies, and use of university-provided information technology, as set forth in the Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman Student Handbook.

Who is eligible for the Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman MA in American History?

K–12 educators who are affiliated with the Gilder Lehrman Institute and possess a bachelor’s degree are eligible. K–12 educators include teachers, district supervisors, librarians, museum professionals, and National Park Service employees. Community college instructors are eligible for the program as well.

Who is eligible for the MA+15/30?

Educators who are affiliated with the Gilder Lehrman Institute and possess a master’s degree are eligible.

What if I become unaffiliated with the Gilder Lehrman Institute?

In order to be eligible for the Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman MA program, applicants/students must maintain their affiliation with the Gilder Lehrman Institute as a K–12 educator. In the event that a student individually or through their employer discontinues their Gilder Lehrman affiliation, such individual will no longer be eligible to participate in the program following completion of the semester in which the student is enrolled at the time of cessation of the GLI affiliation.

What if I am a K–12 Educator who is not affiliated with a particular school?

If you are a K–12 educator who is not affiliated with a particular school (for instance, if you’re a retired, substitute, temporary, or part-time teacher), please email  [email protected] . You may be eligible to participate in this program.

May I take a Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman MA course as a high school student or undergraduate college student?

No. In order to pursue graduate credit through the Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman MA program, participants must already have an undergraduate degree. If you are a high school student, you may wish to explore the free courses we offer in our History U and History School programs. If you are a college student, you may wish to explore our Self-Paced Courses .

What does each course cost?

Each three-credit course costs $750 for the 2023–2024 academic year.

When is tuition due?

• The Spring 2024 tuition deadline is January 31, 2024.
• The Summer 2024 Term I tuition deadline is May 15, 2024.
• The Summer 2024 Term II tuition deadline is July 4, 2024.

Graduate bills will be available within three business days of registering for a course. The student will receive a notice when the bill is ready via their gettysburg.edu email address. Students registering for courses within three days of the tuition due date or after the due date have 72 hours to make payment once they receive their bill.

Are book costs provided or included in the tuition?

No. Students are expected to purchase, rent, or borrow books. We do attempt to keep total book costs below $100 per course and post readings to Moodle course sites whenever possible.

Can I get a refund if I drop a course?

You are eligible for a full refund if you withdraw from your course before the add/drop deadline one week into the semester. After that, you are able to withdraw but you will not receive a refund.

The add/drop deadline for Spring 2024 is February 14, 2024.

How do I pay my tuition?

Log into the Campus Experience platform and follow these instructions to pay your tuition .

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Do you offer scholarships or any other financial aid.

Yes. Students can apply for federal financial aid. Additionally, all students in this program may apply for scholarships from the Gilder Lehrman Institute. Students in the program are not eligible for Gettysburg College scholarships.

Financial Aid

You may be eligible for  Federal Direct Stafford Unsubsidized Loans  and private education loans to cover tuition and other education-related costs. Students who apply for federal loans receive their financial aid award letters via mail within two to four weeks of FAFSA submission. Notification times for private education loans vary by lender. Please contact  the Gettysburg College Office of Financial Aid  for more information.

You can find student loan information on the  US Department of Education Federal Student Aid  website. To start the process, you will need to file the free application for federal student aid (known as FAFSA) listing Gettysburg College as the school of choice. This can be done online at  www.fafsa.gov . The FAFSA school code for Gettysburg College is 003268. Please note that if you do not receive your FAFSA approval before the registration deadline and you are ultimately approved for financial aid, you can apply the aid toward courses for the following term.

Scholarships

John Nau Scholarship : Applications are now closed. Ten John Nau scholarships of $10,000 each were awarded in 2023 to K–12 educators in the Houston and San Antonio areas in Texas. Scholarships cover tuition reimbursement for $7,500 (10 courses) and reimbursement for up to $2,500 for course textbooks for the MA program and Gilder Lehrman Institute professional development and materials, which includes registration and travel costs for professional development programs, GLI books, Self-Paced Courses, Traveling Exhibitions, or other Gilder Lehrman materials.

Dev Chodry Scholarship : Ten Dev Chodry Scholarships of $750 each will be awarded in 2024 to students taking more than one course during a single semester. These scholarships help students complete their degrees faster and advance their salaries sooner!

Veterans’ Benefits

Eligible students can receive tuition benefits offered by the GI Bill®. For general information about veterans’ benefits, please contact the Gettysburg College Office of Financial Aid.

I am taking courses for my MA+15/30, am I eligible for financial aid? 

I am taking courses for my MA+15/30, am I eligible for financial aid? No. As a non-degree-seeking student, you are not eligible for financial aid.

How do I apply?

You can access the application on the To Apply page with instructions on what materials to include. Once you have filled out the “Apply Now” form through the Gilder Lehrman website, you will be redirected to the Gettysburg College website to complete the application.

Click here for more information on how to fill in the Gettysburg College application .

What are the upcoming application deadlines?

For the Summer I 2024 semester , you need to apply by Thursday, May 16, 2024.

For the Summer II 2024 semester , you need to apply by Thursday, June 27, 2024.

How long will it take for a decision to be made regarding my application?

A decision is typically made within four to six weeks following Gettysburg College’s receipt of all application materials.

I’ve been accepted to the program! What are my next steps?

In your acceptance letter, you will be directed to fill out a form acknowledging that you will enroll in the program. You will then receive your Gettysburg account credentials, which will be available in your application portal. It can take up to 10 days for your credentials to be created. If you are not starting in the upcoming term, you will not receive your credentials until closer to your start date.  Access your application portal here.

Once you’ve received your login credentials, you can begin completing tasks on your student dashboard. You must complete the Dashboard at least one week before the start of classes. It will take approximately 15 minutes.  Here is the link to access the Dashboard.

Course Registration

What is the registration period for the summer 2024 term.

Registration for the Summer I and Summer II 2024 terms begins on March 16, 2024. 

Summer I registration ends on June 5, 2024. This includes 12-week and 6-week courses

Summer II registration ends on July 17, 2024.

When does the Summer 2024 term begin and end?

The 12-week summer 2024 term begins on May 30, 2024, and ends on August 21, 2024.

The 6-week summer I 2024 term begins on May 30, 2024, and ends on July 10, 2024.

The 6-week summer II 2024 term begins on July 11, 2024, and ends on August 21, 2024. 

Logistics: How do I register for courses?

Log into the Campus Experience platform and follow these instructions to register for courses.

Section professors will appear in the course catalog alongside the lab section once they are assigned.

Please note that there is a hold on registering for more than two courses. Email the registrar’s office at [email protected] if you would like to lift the hold.

If you have completed at least 24 credits including AMHI 698: Historiography and Historical Methods, you can now register for the Capstone in American History in Campus Experience.

Course Withdrawal

What if i decide to withdraw.

You should speak to your academic advisor about the academic and financial penalties associated with withdrawing from a course.

The deadline to withdraw from a course for Fall 2023 is November 22, 2023.

When withdrawing from courses during the first week of the semester, students are eligible for a 100 percent refund. There will be no refund for courses dropped after week one.

The add/drop deadline for Fall 2023 is September 27, 2023.

Logistics: How do I drop a course?

To drop a course, log into Campus Experience where you registered for your course. In the left-hand menu select “Enrollment.” Underneath that, select “Drop Classes.”

You are eligible for a full refund if you withdraw from your course before the add/drop deadline one week into the term. After that, you are able to withdraw but you will not receive a refund. If you withdraw from your course after this date, please email the registrar’s office at [email protected] and inform your section professor.

Course Content

How are courses structured.

Each Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman course is led by a professor from the Gilder Lehrman Institute’s network of scholars. These eminent historians create syllabi and reading lists, present lectures, and hold live Q&A sessions.

Each section of a course has a section professor to guide day-to-day coursework and communication. These instructors, referred to as section professors, are well versed in distance-learning best practices and are dedicated to student success. They assess all student work, prompt and moderate discussion boards, and help students with course material and questions.

Click here to view a sample syllabus of a 12-week course from fall 2023.  

What is the workload for courses?

The typical workload for online courses is five 1- to 2-page response papers, a fifteen-page research paper or project of equivalent length completed in stages during the semester, and weekly posts to course discussion boards. (Note: Students must gain instructor approval to pursue the project option.) Reading assignments are approximately 75–125 pages per week and consist of primary and secondary sources. Participants are also required to attend three of the five live Q&As led by the course’s lead professor.

Are lectures available to view at any time?

Lectures are available on the first day of class and can be viewed asynchronously. Five live Q&A sessions are held with the lead professor over the course of the semester. Students are expected to attend at least three of these.

Course Technology Requirements

How do i access the courses.

Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman online courses are on the Moodle learning platform. When you enroll, you will receive a username and password for both your Gettysburg College email and your Moodle account. That account will stay valid for all subsequent courses, but you may be asked to change your password from time to time.

Courses will appear in Moodle two days before the beginning of the term.

How tech-savvy do I need to be to take a Gilder Lehrman Online Course?

You should be comfortable using your computer for email and web browsing. There is an asynchronous new-student webinar that will open before courses begin. This webinar will teach you to use Moodle as well as Gettysburg College and Gilder Lehrman Institute databases.

Note: This webinar is accessible online throughout the semester.

What sort of computer do I need in order to participate in the live sessions? Do I need speakers? Can I use an iPad?

Most recent computers with a good Internet connection can be used to access the courses. You do not need any special equipment to participate in the course. You will need headphones or onboard speakers to listen to and watch the lectures. In order to participate in the live Q&A sessions, you will need a webcam or, at least, your computer’s onboard microphone.

Note: Almost all computers have an onboard microphone. If you do not have a webcam or onboard microphone, and cannot attend Q&A sessions as a result, you will be able to complete a separate assignment in lieu of participating in Q&A sessions.

Capstone Course

What is the capstone in american history course.

This course lets you apply the knowledge you have acquired throughout the MA degree program by conducting original research.

When can I sign up for the Capstone course?

Students must complete twenty-four credits before they can sign up for the Capstone course. Email [email protected] for instructions on how to register for the course.

Can you tell me more about how to prepare for the Capstone course?

Click here to view a video by Dr. Laura Ping for information about the Capstone course and how to prepare for it. Contact [email protected]  to learn more about the Capstone course.

Can my Capstone in American History paper/project topic be approved in advance of the semester?

No. Capstone projects are approved during the opening weeks of the Capstone in American History. However, if you will enroll in the Capstone within the next three semesters and want to receive early feedback about potential research topics, you can contact [email protected] . Note: This email address is checked weekly on Fridays.

Graduation Requirements

What are the general requirements to earn a master of arts in american history through the gettysburg college–gilder lehrman program.

You will need to pass, with a grade of B- or higher, ten three-credit courses and maintain a GPA of 3.0.

The MA must be completed within five years. If you are unable to complete your degree in five years, you can apply for an extension.

Are there any specific courses I need to take in order to graduate?

Students are required to complete Historiography and Historical Methods and the Capstone course. Historiography and Historical Methods is a prerequisite to enrollment in the Capstone course. It is recommended, but not required, that you take Historiography and Historical Methods early in the program, as it will help you succeed in other courses.

What is the MA+15/30?

A new addition to the MA in American History that allows teachers who already have a master’s degree to take courses and earn credits toward their MA+15/30.

Does it matter where I got my master’s degree?

No. You can take courses toward your MA+15/30 regardless of where you completed your master’s degree or what discipline it is in.

Does my master’s degree have to be in history to pursue the MA+15/30?

No. But if you do not have a master’s degree in history, you may want to consider enrolling as a degree-seeking student.

Do students with a master’s degree from GLI have to apply for admission into the MA+15/30?

Students who completed the MA in American History with Pace University or Adams State University must apply for admission to Gettysburg College. Students who completed the MA in American History with Gettysburg College do not need to reapply for admission.

When can I take courses in the MA+15/30?

You can begin taking courses in the MA+15/30 during the fall, spring, or summer semesters.

How much are MA+15/30 courses?

Each course in the MA in American History is $750.00.

Pace-Gilder Lehrman Students

In 2022, the Gilder Lehrman Institute partnered with Gettysburg College to offer its MA in American History. Students of previous iterations of the GLI MA program will need to transfer into this new program. 

I am/was a student in the Pace–Gilder Lehrman MA in American History Program. Do I have to apply to the new Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman MA in American History?

Yes. You need to apply to Gettysburg College. This page explains the application process. 

Can I transfer my credits from the Pace degree program into the Gettysburg–Gilder Lehrman program?

Yes. All matriculated credits (and up to twelve non-matriculated credits) earned with a grade of B or better through the Pace–Gilder Lehrman MA in American History Program will be accepted into the Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman MA in American History.

Can I transfer credits from courses taken with GLI through Adams State University, Dickinson College, or Gettysburg College? What about other coursework?

Yes. All matriculated credits (and up to 12 non-matriculated credits) earned with a grade of B or better through any Gilder Lehrman MA program will be accepted into the Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman MA in American History.

Credits earned through other institutions will be considered for transfer on a case-by-case basis.

What if I've completed all of my coursework except for the Capstone?

If you have not yet begun your Capstone, you may enroll in Gettysburg College in order to complete it and receive your degree.

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Email [email protected] and we will help you through the process.

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For further questions, email the Gettysburg College student helpdesk (G-Tech) at [email protected] or call 717-337-6935.

G-Tech Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time Friday - 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Eastern Time Saturday - 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time  Note: During peak times, it may take up to 72 hours to receive a response. Please only email once, and someone will assist you as soon as possible.  

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The academic calendar includes key dates for applying to the program, registering for and withdrawing from courses, and graduation.

Spring 2024 Dates:

• January 31, 2024: Tuition deadline for students who are already registered for courses
• February 8, 2024: Beginning of Spring 2024 term
• February 14, 2024: Final day of the add/drop period (Final day to drop a course with full refund)
• April 10, 2024: Last day to withdraw with a grade of W
• May 1, 2024: End of Spring 2024 term

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MA in History

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Study History in a Historic City

The Master of Arts in History will prepare you to pursue a doctorate or a career in education, public service, and many other fields. In this program, you will develop a deeper understanding of how historians investigate and interpret the past while you explore the past with your own original research. In producing your own scholarship , you will sharpen your analytical skills, hone your research interests, and refine your writing and interpretation skills.

Our program is ideal for students interested in American or modern European history. However, the program also provides room for flexibility , allowing you to broaden your study, pursue your intellectual interests, and focus your expertise with elective coursework and research in public history, women’s/gender history, politics and foreign relations, Jewish history, and other areas of faculty specialization. We encourage our students to approach the study of the past through a critical and multidisciplinary lens .

A Degree of Flexibility

This 30-credit program will develop your writing, research, and analytical skills while broadening your historical and historiographical knowledge. In the first semester, you will develop an understanding of the practice of history with a course on the Historian’s Craft. You will deepen your knowledge of US or European history with six credits of colloquium courses. You will then engage in the production of original scholarship with six credits of a research seminar. In addition to the Public History option for students interested in careers in museums, cultural tourism, community history, historic preservation, new media, and related professional fields, the program includes ample room for elective courses, so you can develop specialized expertise, expand your historical knowledge, and bring new perspectives to your work.

See MA Admissions & Degree Requirements .

Where History Is Made

Studying history in the nation's capital provides students with access to renowned museums and archives , such the Smithsonian, the National Archives, and the Library of Congress. Brimming with history , the DC area offers Civil War battlefields, the Capitol, Mount Vernon, the White House, and countless landmarks of the colonial period, Revolutionary War, Civil War, and more recent American history. A truly global city , Washington, DC, contains hundreds of embassies, cultural organizations, and enclave communities. DC is also home to smaller historical organizations, like the DC Historical Society and the DC Preservation League. As part of the Washington, DC Consortium , students at American University are able to take courses at colleges and universities throughout the DC metropolitan area, providing the opportunity to work with a variety of faculty in diverse programs and fields of study. Faculty and alumni connections with DC's most important historical institutions lead to internships and employment opportunities . Whether your interest is local, national, or global, this historic city undoubtedly has something for you.

Knowledgeable Faculty Dedicated to Your Success

Our history faculty makes national news , explores under-represented areas of history, and guides students, helping them grasp and generate scholarship. You will build strong collegial networks with your fellow scholars, including faculty, PhD students, and public history students. You will benefit from mentorship and close working relationships with professors who have headed the Organization of American Historians, predicted the outcomes of presidential elections, and written award-winning books and articles.

Explore the Possibilities

While many of our students go on to complete PhDs and pursue academic careers, the writing and research skills developed in this program can be applied to many positions. A solid background in history is an asset for education professionals at every level, from teaching to developing education programs for museums and cultural institutions. Our alumni hold positions with important institutions like History Associates, the National Park Service, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Smithsonian Institution — see Career Outcomes info for our recent graduates.

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Lonnie Bunch (BA History '74 and MA History '76), founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, speaks at AU.

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Jarvis R. Givens

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Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, (2016)

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Jarvis Givens is a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a faculty affiliate in the department of African and African American Studies at Harvard University. He studies the history of American education, African American history, and the relationship between race and power in schools. His first book, Fugitive Pedagogy: Carter G. Woodson and the Art of Black Teaching , was published by Harvard University Press in 2021. This work traces African Americans’ traditions of challenging racial domination in schools and society by highlighting the various intellectual and political strategies they employed from the slavery era through Jim Crow.

Givens takes an interdisciplinary approach to studying history, employing conceptual and methodological interventions from the field of Black Studies. Such methodological interests led him, in partnership with Imani Perry of Princeton University, to an exciting new digital humanities project called The Black Teacher Archive (BTA). This is an online portal that houses the digitized records of national and state "Colored Teachers Associations" organized by black educators from the antebellum era through Jim Crow. The BTA is supported by a major grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Givens is completing a work of creative nonfiction on black student life in the American school. This book is based on first-person accounts found in archival documents, African American autobiographical literature, as well as insights from his own life. This book is forthcoming with Beacon Press. Givens is also preparing new editions of two African American Classics: Carter G. Woodson’s (1933) The Mis-education of the Negro, to be published with Penguin Classics, and Booker T. Washington’s (1901) Up From Slavery , for the Norton Library. In 2018, Givens co-edited a volume on black male student achievement, entitled We Dare Say Love: Supporting Achievement in the Educational Life of Black Boys , published by Columbia’s Teachers College Press.

His emerging projects include a book analyzing relationships between Indigenous, white, and black education in the United States through the nineteenth century; a biography of education leader and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune; and a project on black social life in Compton, California in the 1980s and '90s based on family and community archives.

Givens' work explores themes of education, power, and resistance contextually, beyond rigid frames that limit where we look for meaningful experiences of teaching and learning. His work is committed to clarifying how persecution has impacted the lives of black people (and other oppressed communities) in school and society, while also attending to how these communities have used education and culture, subversively, to seek out lives that transcend their suffering.

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Askwith Education Forum Celebrates the Launch of the Black Teacher Archive

The groundbreaking new digital repository centralizes the experiences of Black educators during Jim Crow and creates new portals to understanding the history of African American education

Givens Named Professor of Education

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Givens Named Associate Professor

83-year-old doctoral student graduates from Howard University

E ven after 83 years of life, Marie Fowler is still not done improving herself and going through new experiences. On May 11, Fowler made history by becoming the oldest student in Howard University history to earn a degree. She received her doctorate in divinity, which she aptly described as a calling from God in an interview with WLOX.

“It was never my thought that I would go beyond maybe one semester because, after all, I started school when I had been out of school since 1959,” she said. “I didn’t even know if I could even retain information.”

Instead of dropping out after a single semester, Fowler persevered through three years of grueling work to obtain her degree. She credited her parents for giving her “the opportunity to even pursue an achievement like this.”

“My mom and dad was born in an era when it was illegal for them to learn to read and write,” she said. “We taught my dad how to read and write and how to sign his name.”

“[Fowler] was the life of the party,” said one of her professors Alice Ogden Bellis. “She knew what she needed, what she wanted, and she came here and she did that.”

Fowler matriculated through Howard University’s School of Divinity, which recently received a $1.25 million donation from Lilly Endowment Inc. The funds will be used to create an online resource to educate and assist officials within the church, and the school hopes to grow that resource into an in-person department. Per the university’s press release, Howard is one of 142 organizations receiving this grant from Lilly Endowment through its Compelling Preaching Initiative.

“Preaching, by all accounts, is the foremost venerated and formative practice of the Church,” said the Dean of Howard’s School of Divinity Kenyatta R. Gilbert. “African American preaching in North America, historically and contemporarily, has been esteemed for its aesthetic richness, persistent calls for justice, ecclesiastical reform, moral and ethical responsibility, spiritual redemption, and transformation. It is one means God uses to inject hope in a society of chaos and confusion.”

“The grant will enable the School of Divinity to launch a national podcast dedicated to African American preaching, with a specific focus on social justice, congregational care, and preaching,” the press release said. “Additionally, the initiative will establish an annual preaching symposium, providing mentoring opportunities for prospective graduates who will be pairs with experienced clergy members. The program will also offer an opportunity for alumni to return to campus and mentor current students. Furthermore, the School of Divinity plans to develop two non-degree certificate program in African American preaching. One centering a homiletical concentration tailored for HUSD’s current Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degree-seeking students and the other will offer a pathway for non-degree seeking students to access a comprehensive curriculum covering the fundamentals and critical understanding of preaching.”

The post 83-year-old doctoral student graduates from Howard University appeared first on ClutchPoints .

Department of the History of Art

Congratulations to phd student ella gonzalez on upcoming publication.

The Department of the History of Art at Johns Hopkins proudly congratulates Ella Gonzalez, a graduate student in the program, on her forthcoming publication (co-edited with Cynthia Coburn and Ellen Caldwell), titled   Gender Violence, Art, and the Viewer: An Intervention . The book is set to be released by Penn State University Press and is currently available for pre-order.

“We extend our warmest congratulations to Ella Gonzalez on this remarkable achievement,” said Mitch Merback, chair of History of Art at Johns Hopkins. “Her dedication to critical scholarship and her contributions to this important field of study are truly commendable. We are proud to have her as a member of our academic community.”

Ella Gonzalez is currently pursuing her graduate studies in the History of Art program at Johns Hopkins University. Her research interests include Art and archaeology of Ancient Greece and the Mediterranean world.

For more information about Ella Gonzalez and her forthcoming publication, please visit Penn State University Press .

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May 13, 2024 4:36 PM | Updated: May 14, 2024 8:02 AM

• Pamela Kirkland

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LISTEN: Ronald Yancey and Deanna Yancey speak with GPB's Pamela Kirkland about their alma mater, Georgia Tech — and how her attendance was something of a secret.

Deanna Yancey (left) and her grandfather, Ronald Yancey pose together in May 2024. Credit: Georgia Institute of Technology School of Electrical and Computer Engineering / Yancey family

It's May, and graduation season is in full effect. Georgia Institute of Technology's grads recently made their way across the stage to have their diplomas handed to them. But one graduate had a very special person present her with her degree. Joining GPB Morning Edition host Pamela Kirkland is Deanna Yancey, a graduate who just earned her master's degree in electrical and computer engineering, and her grandfather, Ronald Yancey, who broke barriers to become Georgia Tech's first Black graduate in 1965.

TRANSCRIPT:

Pamela Kirkland: Welcome to you both.

Deanna Yancey: No problem. Thank you for having us.

Pamela Kirkland: So, Deanna, I want to start with you. Congratulations on earning your master's degree. What was it like having your degree presented to you by your grandfather?

Deanna Yancey: It was like a once-in-a-lifetime moment that I will honestly cherish forever. I think it's different having someone there, that you know, on the other side that you've seen your whole life, you grew up with, and just be the one to, like, present you with this huge award that you worked so hard for.

Pamela Kirkland: Ronald, you must be so proud. You graduated in 1965, breaking barriers and making history. Was this something you could have even imagined for your family back then?

Ronald Yancey: No way. No. I was so pleased. And in the fact that she asked: She made this happen. You really did this whole thing. She thought of — I mean, she conceived what she wanted to do, how she wanted to do it, and she did it, and nobody knew she was doing it at the time. And knowing what a tough school Georgia Tech is and what a tough curriculum, she really did that. And she did it. It wasn't me. Nobody laid any golden path for her, and I could not be prouder.

Pamela Kirkland: Tell me about the plan. How, where did the idea come from? Why did you think that this was something that was important to you?

Deanna Yancey: So I kind of wanted to start off just like going to Georgia Tech without anyone knowing who I was. So I never — I never talked to anybody ahead of time, saying, like, "Oh, this is who I am. This my family is." Because I kind of just wanted to focus on school without feeling like I had eyes watching me. So then right after, I declared for graduation, I said, you know, there would be nothing better than to have the person who paved the way for all Black students at the university to hand me my diploma. And I — I'm so happy to also personally know him. So, I thought that was also a great moment, and I thought it was great for the school, but I think it was also more important for me that, like, we can have this connection. And I know it's so funny, like, no one ever knows that, like, when I come over here, Granddad and I will sit here and talk about engineering — the latest things that are happening in the world of engineering. And so I just thought this is another way of showing the world, like, our relationship that we have.

Pamela Kirkland: How much did his legacy and his attendance at Georgia Tech influence your decision to go to the school for your masters?

Deanna Yancey: It had a great influence. I know I applied in undergrad, and decided last minute that I was going to go to Penn State instead. So it was a school that I still had on my list that I wanted to attend. But I was, like, there's no better time now than my masters, because I don't know if I want to keep going to school afterwards.

Pamela Kirkland: Ronald, what did you think about her wanting to keep it quiet? She kept her application process quiet from the family. She kept, you know, the family history at the school quiet while she was there. What did you think about her decision to keep everything on the low?

Ronald Yancey: She really didn't mention this. She just did it. She just did it, and I, I was, so, so pleased when she was accepted and that she decided to — to go to Georgia Tech. I just said, "I'm going to stay out of this too" and I'll stay out of her way. I don't plan to get involved, you know, get in, in — I can talk to her about any engineering decisions that she might want to make or any questions. And we did discuss engineering, but I was not going to make any noise either. Nobody knew. They didn't know that we were related.

Pamela Kirkland: I'm sensing a connection with you two. In terms of both of you have a very strong sense of determination. Ronald, you actually were rejected from Georgia Tech twice before finally getting accepted into their engineering program. Why did you continue to apply?

Ronald Yancey: It needed to be done. Something had to be done. We can't let this stand the way it is.

Pamela Kirkland: How much do you think you take after your grandfather?

Deanna Yancey: I think I take a great deal after my grandfather! I'm also kind of the same way. Keep working until you get what you think you deserve and, like, what you want. And I've kind of shown that with not only, like, my education, but also like, my career working as well. And I know that, like, "no" is not the answer that I want. And there's many ways to skin a cat, I've been told. So, I definitely see the perseverance and the hard working and keep going for what you know that you deserve, no matter who says "no" to you.

Pamela Kirkland: Ronald, what do you hope for your granddaughter as she begins to embark on her career journey?

Ronald Yancey: I can see already traces of success that are coming. I can see traces and — um, not just traces. I can see success coming. And I can see her being a successful engineer. And she is going to set new milestones for women. And women are going to profit from her being where she is and what she's doing. She's making — breaking down barriers. I don't have any doubt that she's going to be able to break more.

Pamela Kirkland: Thank you both so much for joining me on Morning Edition . I really appreciate it.

Deanna Yancey: Thank you for having us.

Ronald Yancey: Thank you.

Pamela Kirkland: This is GPB.

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About the author.

Pamela brings her deep news knowledge and love of storytelling to the airwaves across Georgia, Monday through Friday mornings on GPB Radio. 

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