History

The Department of History in the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences offers a Master of Arts (M.A.), a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) and a doctorate (Ph.D.) in History. The program's small size, about 30 students, allows our distinguished faculty members to provide premium, individualized instruction and a high level of personal attention. We offer the flexibility and guidance to help you define fields of study, tools of research, and other features to shape a graduate experience that best suits your academic interests and goals. 

Our graduate programs:

• M.A. History – We offer both thesis and non-thesis degree programs. Your work toward an M.A. will stress research as well as a balanced course program for the in-depth study of history. The M.A. also is the basic degree required for teaching at the junior college level.
• Master of Arts in Teaching – Designed for previously certified educators, this program will enhance your career opportunities at the high school level.
• Ph.D. History – Our Ph.D. program will prepare you with the research and writing skills you need for a career in higher education.

Through interactions with peers, engaging class discussions and one-on-one time with professors, you’ll hone your research and critical thinking skills as you examine the past through many different lenses. You’ll study the sweep of human experience, spanning centuries, continents and cultures. You may specialize in:

• Modern Europe – Generally, this emphasis area covers cultural events since 1750.
• Modern U.S. – In this area, your courses will focus on the history of the United States since 1877.
• North American West (including the Pacific Northwest)

The program also has strengths in the fields of race and ethnicity, Native American cultures, Latin American cultures, labor, gender, religion, politics and international relations.

We offer interesting and unusual history courses to expand your horizons and to pique your interests. Some of our most popular courses include:

• Pirates of the Caribbean and Beyond
• The Medieval Church
• Public History
• Disease and Culture: History of Western Medicine
• Conspiracies and Secret Societies
• Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust
• Comparative Slavery and Emancipation

Prepare for Success

Most graduate students of history share a passion for knowledge and consider the study of history a lifelong pursuit. While a Master of Arts (M.A.) in History is a basic requirement for teaching at the community college level, it also provides an excellent complement for teaching history and the social sciences at the high school level. If you are considering pursuing a Ph.D. in History, and eventually teaching at the university level, the M.A. program introduces you to professional research and writing, and prepares you for doctoral work. Please review the history graduate programs page for more information.

Your First Year

Your course of study will transition from a general, conceptual survey of history to a more in-depth exploration of your chosen area of emphasis. For specific information about courses and requirements for our graduate programs, see College of Graduate Studies profile.

What You Can Do

With a graduate degree in history you might become a:

• Teacher at the high school or junior college level
• University professor (Ph.D. required)
• Public or corporate historian
• Archivist
• Intelligence analyst
• Historic preservation specialist
• Museum curator
• International business consultant
• Independent researcher
• Political analyst or consultant
• Editor or publisher
• Lobbyist
• Writer

Opportunities

While local, federal and state agencies are common employers of those with an advanced degree in history, our graduates have also found prominent positions in:

• Nonprofit preservation organizations
• Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)
• Historical societies
• Archival management
• Editing and publishing
• University and foundation administration

Current Research

There are seven full time professors In the Department of History. Our faculty members are passionate about history and they consistently earn top marks for the quality of their teaching, research and expertise of their fields. Faculty research interests and specialties include:

• Ian Chambers, Assistant Professor – American Colonial and Revolutionary History, Early Republic, American Women, Piracy, Native American History
• Dale Graden, Professor – Latin America, Brazil, Comparative Slavery, History and Film
• Ellen Kittell, Associate Professor – Medieval Europe, Renaissance & Reformation, European Women, England, Africa
• Sean Quinlan, Associate Professor – Modern Western Europe, France, History of Biology and Medicine
• Adam Sowards, Assistant Professor – American West, Pacific Northwest, Environmental History
• Richard Spence, Professor – Modern Europe, Russia, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Military History, Secret Societies and the Occult
• Pingchao Zhu, Associate Professor – East Asia, China, Japan, U.S. Diplomacy, U.S. Wars in Asia

Hands-On Experience

Our graduate program is linked to other, interdisciplinary programs such as international studies, Latin American studies, religious studies and women’s studies. These attract students and faculty from across the university for an intellectual exchange, discussion and the sharing of ideas that leads to a more rich and dynamic understanding of the world around us.

We encourage you to participate in study-abroad programs and other research work experience opportunities. Many of our students have traveled across the globe to other universities to explore and experience new cultures, practice foreign language skills and much more.

Facilities

Our graduate program in history is supported by a state-of-the-art library system, which contains traditional and electronic texts. The library has especially strong holdings in American history, particularly the American West, and also includes various special collections and a large collection of American newspapers. In addition, the library also has an impressive array of online resources available.

Faculty Involvement

Adam Sowards, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Research interests: Environmental history
» Adam Sowards - Profile

Pingchao Zhu, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Research interests: East Asian History, U.S.-China Relations, U.S. Diplomatic History
» Pinchao Zhu's - Profile