About Size Categories

Program sizes are constructed from information reported to the AHA's Directory of History Departments, Historical Organizations, and Historians in the United States and Canada, and divided into rough thirds. Please note these calculations imply nothing about the quality of the program itself. Size should be only one factor in the selection of a doctoral program, as some students will benefit from a smaller program, which can sometimes offer more personalized attention or specialization in your intended field. These are just offered as just one element to factor into your considerations. Also, please note that given the more specific character of the programs, the six Specialized history programs are designated separately.

Size Based on Current Full-time Faculty

Based on a simple count of faculty at the assistant, associate, and full professor level (including joint appointments) reported for the fall of this year. Small departments have less than 21 faculty at this level (N=45), Medium-sized departments have 22 to 35 full-time faculty (N=58), and Large departments have more 36 or more faculty (N=49).

Size Based on Graduate Students in Program

This is based on the average number of graduate students reported as enrolled in the department over the past three years. Small departments reported an average of less than 50 graduate students in the program (N=41), Medium-sized departments averaged from 50 to 79 graduate students (N=62), and Large departments had 80 or more (N=48). Two other programs, which started offering PhDs within the past three years, are designated as New.

Please note that this figure includes graduate students enrolled in terminal Master's degree programs.

Size Based on PhDs Conferred

This count is based on the average number of PhD's conferred by the department over the past five years. Small departments have conferred an average of fewer than 2.5 PhDs (N=40), Medium-sized departments have conferred an average of 2.5 to 6.9 PhDs (N=54), while Large departments have have conferred an average of more than 7 PhDs (N=46). Five other programs, which started offering PhDs within the past five years, are designated as New.

 

Last Updated: August 9, 2007