PhD in History

The Ph.D. in history prepares students to teach and conduct research in American history and to understand it within a global perspective. Students integrate their major field of study, American history, with two minor fields. This is designed to enhance understanding of history with temporal, methodological, and geographical breadth. This broader intercontinental perspective–including the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa–enables students to explore the interaction of political, economic and cultural systems, questions of race and ethnicity, gender, and the transnational dimensions of national experience.

The Ph.D. program admits only a few highly qualified students each year, which keeps classes small and mentorship with faculty intimate. Students are trained in the craft of scholarly research and writing through individualized research projects. In addition, all students will take a teaching seminar and receive hands-on experience through assistantships that prepare them for teaching in a college or university environment.

PhD in History PROGRAM DISTINCTIONS

• UNCG’s PhD program in history ranks among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report (2022).
• Students work directly with faculty mentors who are world-renowned scholars in their fields. 

THE PhD in History STUDENT EXPERIENCE

• In a setting of small classes, individualized research projects, and faculty mentoring, students are trained in the craft of scholarly research and writing. 
• All students will take a teaching seminar, and receive hands-on teaching experience that will prepare them for teaching in a college or university environment.

“My projects seek to unearth history and build community. I believe strongly that it is important to understand the past in order to change our present.”

– Dr. Ann Parsons, history professor who created an exibit for the National Institute of Health

dR. pARSONS USES HER HISTORY PHD TO EDUCATE AND BUILD COMMUNITY

AFTER GRADUATIng with a PhD in History

Most of our PhD graduates go on to teach at the university level.

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