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Boston University

Dept. of History
226 Bay State Rd.
Boston, MA 02215

Phone 617.353.2551
Fax 617.353.2556
E-mail: history@bu.edu

Department Web Site

Areas of Specialization:

Africa, Modern Europe, U.S.

Program Description

The forty members of the Department of History at Boston University comprise a group of professional historians and teachers of history who are dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and the education of students. We are convinced that the study of the past not only prepares students for understanding the present but also enables them to acquire valuable skills that are applicable to many careers. The abilities to criticize, organize, and synthesize extensive materials and to write with clarity and precision are important qualities for success in a variety of jobs not directly related to history. While this department has a national and international reputation in the field of historical scholarship, its faculty is equally committed to teaching and addressing the academic concerns of students. For undergraduates the department offers a broad range of courses and study options covering American, European, African, East Asian, Middle Eastern, and Latin American history. Our graduate program is particularly strong in three areas: American, European, and African history.

Special Programs or Resources

No information provided

Financial Aid

The department strives to support every student in good standing as fully as possible. Financial resources are, however, limited, and all awards are made on a competitive basis. Aid is ordinarily restricted to students in the PhD program. Entering students may apply for graduate scholarships and graduate assistantships, each of which covers part or all of the tuition. After the first year, students may be eligible for a teaching fellowship, which provides a stipend (the exact level changes from year to year) and a tuition scholarship. Entering students with outstanding records become candidates for Graduate Deans Fellowships; these provide a full tuition scholarship and a substantial stipend. Fellows who continue in good standing are candidates for teaching fellowships. Ordinarily financial aid is limited to three years, except for Graduate Deans Fellowships, which may offer up to four years of aid. Entering students are urged to familiarize themselves with the various loan programs that provide subsidized loans for graduate education and with work-study opportunities. The department works individually with each student to structure the best possible aid package.

Degree Requirements

There are six components to the PhD program: language examinations, course work, major research paper(s), the qualifying oral examination, the prospectus and dissertation, and the final oral examination.



University Information:

Information from Department of Education
(Includes information on the size, location, and general characteristics of faculty and student body)

Information from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
(Includes rating of the institution's rating of the graduate instructional program and size and setting)

 

Faculty Information (Fall 2011):

Full-time Faculty: 31

Relative Size based on Number of Full-time Faculty: Medium [Explain]

 

Student Demographics (Fall 2011):

Number of Doctoral Students in Program: 39

New Doctoral Students Entering Program: 8

Proportion of Doctoral Students Receiving Financial Aid: 79%

Number of Graduate Students Enrolled: 50

Relative Size Based on Graduate Student Enrollment: Small [Explain]

 

Degree Information:

First PhD conferred: 1926

Total History PhDs conferred to Date: Not reported

Number of PhDs Conferred (2011–12): 3

Relative Size Based on PhDs Conferred: Medium [Explain]

Current Dissertations in Progress

PhDs Conferred by Department

 

 

Last Updated: October 19, 2012