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Penn State University

Dept. of History
108 Weaver Bldg.
University Park, PA 16802-5500

Phone 814.865.1367
Fax 814.863.7840
E-mail: mek31@psu.edu

Department Web Site

Areas of Specialization:

African American and Diaspora, Ancient History, Comparative Colonialism, Early Modern History, 19th-Century History, Modern History, Religious Studies, and Women's and Gender History

Program Description

The Penn State History Graduate Program is small and intensive. It provides students with the tools they will use to interpret the past and allows them develop a comprehensive understanding of historical systems, processes, networks, and cultures. With fewer than 25 students taking coursework at any one point, the department's low faculty-to-student ratio ensures an individualized and personal interaction between students and our award-winning faculty (including many Guggenheim, NEH, ACLS and Fulbright winners).

Special Programs or Resources

The Department of History, Penn State University is an active participant in the university's dual-title degree doctoral programs partnering with Asian Studies and Women's Studies. Our dual-title programs enhance the intellectual depth and interdisciplinary breadth of graduate work through core courses outside of the Department of History that is still nonetheless grounded in historical study, research, and teaching. The Richards Civil War Era Center is housed in the department and offers many research and funding opportunities for students working in the long 19th century on both global and national subjects.

Financial Aid

All History graduate students admitted into the MA or PhD program receive a minimum of five years of funding from a combination of sources. The Graduate School, the College of the Liberal Arts, and special fellowship and scholarship funds enable the History Department to offer a stipend of at least $17,000 per year plus health insurance and full tuition. Typically, the fifth year is service free. During years one through four, students work as teaching or research assistants. In addition, the department offers funding for summer research, conference travel, and matching funds for short-term library grants.

Degree Requirements

Doctoral students are expected to complete four seminars in a primary field and two seminars in each of their two secondary areas. The only required course is HIST500 - Theory, Method and the Practice of History. The remainder of a student's doctoral program, including foreign language requirements, should be determined in consultation with the doctoral committee. The program is designed so that students complete all requirements for the PhD (including dissertation) within six to seven years.



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: 62

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

 

Student Demographics (Fall 2011):

Number of Doctoral Students in Program: 47

New Doctoral Students Entering Program: 6

Proportion of Doctoral Students Receiving Financial Aid: 100%

Number of Graduate Students Enrolled: 52

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

 

Degree Information:

First PhD conferred: 1952

History PhDs conferred to Date: 175

Number of PhDs Conferred (2011–12): 5

Relative Size Based on PhDs Conferred: Medium [Explain]

Current Dissertations in Progress

PhDs Conferred by Department

 

 

Last Updated: October 19, 2012