Graduate Program
With approximately 40 students, the graduate program constitutes a vital part of the Department of History at the University of Houston. The Department of History offers M.A. degrees in United States, European/Ancient, Latin American, Modern Arab/Middle East, Global, and public history in all chronological periods. Furthermore, coursework is available in African, Asian, and the Global South. The Department of History offers Ph.D. degrees in United States, European/Ancient, Latin American, Modern Arab/Middle East and Global history in all chronological periods. Global scholarship may include America and the world; the Atlantic World; comparative history involving study of two or more countries, regions, or continents; energy and the environment; gender; immigration history; international relations; the Pacific Rim; the Global South; Capitalism and Labor; and race and ethnicity. Students may base their Global work in any of the regions where the department has faculty resources: Africa, Asia, Atlantic World, Europe, Global South, Latin America, Modern Arab/Middle East, or the United States.
Our faculty specializes in a wide variety of areas, including Race and Social Movements; Gender, Women, and Identity; Public and Digital History; Health and Medicine; Politics, Colonialism, and Borderlands.
Teaching and research is particularly strong in African-American history; ancient Mediterranean; colonial, revolutionary, and imperial history; digital humanities; legal history; medical history; Mexican-American and borderlands history; political history; public history; social history; transnational history; and women’s history. Refer to faculty listings for information on particular areas of expertise.
Individual professors act as mentors for each graduate student, advising the student on coursework and directing their esearch in a specialized field of study. The advisor will shepherd the student through coursework, the comprehensive exam, research and writing of the thesis or dissertation, and the academic job market.
The Department of History offers a variety of graduate readings and research seminars, with exciting new courses appearing each semester to reflect the interests and ongoing work of faculty members and students (Graduate Catalog). These courses help students master skills in critical reading, rigorous writing, and innovative research.
The UH History Department justifiably takes great pride in the accomplishments of its current students and its graduates. In the recent past, graduates of our Ph.D. program found employment at Indiana University; Baylor University; the Universities of Missouri, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Arkansas; Texas A & M; Cal State Sacramento; San Diego State, and numerous state universities in Texas. It also has staffed many of the community colleges in Southeast Texas. We have an exceptional record in the training and placement of African American and Mexican American graduate students. The History Department constantly strives to achieve the most diverse student body possible.
Doctoral Degree Options
The History Department offers two options for earning a Ph.D. degree:
Plan I:
B.A. to Ph.D. Track
The B.A. to Ph.D. recommended degree plan is adapted to meet University funding eligibility for Teaching Assistantships and Graduate Tuition Fellowships for five years (ten semesters).
Plan II:
M.A. to Ph.D. Track
The M.A. to Ph.D. recommended degree plan is adapted to meet University funding eligibility for Teaching Assistantships and Graduate Tuition Fellowships for four years (eight semesters).
Master of Art's Degree Options
The History Department offers four options for earning a Master of Arts degree:
Plan I:
M.A. in History (Thesis Track)
Learn how to earn an M.A. in History through the thesis track. We expect all students to complete all coursework and defend their thesis by the end of their second year.
Plan II:
M.A. in History (Non-Thesis Track)
Learn how to earn an M.A. in History through the non-thesis track and see the recommended timetable this degree.
Plan III:
M.A. in Public History (Thesis-Track)
Learn how to earn an M.A. in Public History through the thesis track.
Plan IV:
Public History in M.A. (Non-Thesis Track)
Learn how to earn an M.A. in Public History through the thesis track. This track provides students with more coursework as a replacement for writing a thesis. Additionally, a student can opt to write a research paper based on original scholarship in the place of one course.
For a complete description of all program requirements and policies, please download the Graduate Student Handbook. The material on this website constitutes a brief introduction to the program and the application process.
For general information about graduate study in history, please consult the guide published by the American Historical Association (AHA), in consultation with its Graduate and Early Career Committee and the Professional Division. The guide contains important information and links to AHA resources.
