History (Doctoral) at Michigan State University

Programme overview

The PhD in History at MSU provides wide knowledge in several fields of history, specialised competence in a limited area, and research training for careers in teaching, research, government service, private industry and other historical work. Primary fields include African-American, African, American, Comparative Black, East Asian, European, and Latin American and Caribbean history, science and medicine, and women and gender history.

Faculty: College of Social Science | Department: Department of History | Study mode: full-time | Location: East Lansing, MI, United States

What you will study

Students take HST 803 Seminar in Methodology of Historical Research, HST 804 Advanced Research and Professional Development Seminar, HST 812 History in the Digital Age and 24 further credits of 800-900 level courses, demonstrate knowledge of two foreign languages (or approved substitutes), pass written and oral comprehensive examinations by the end of the third year, complete 24 credits of HST 999 dissertation research and defend the dissertation. The department provides teaching experience through graduate assistantships.

Career pathways

Teaching, research, government service, private industry and other areas of professional historical activity.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Fall admission only; all application materials due December 1, with decisions announced by late February. Applicants submit official transcripts showing a conferred bachelor's degree (and any graduate work), a writing sample, a 500-1000 word statement naming the intended field and faculty, a 500-1000 word personal statement, and three letters of recommendation. International applicants: TOEFL iBT 100 or above (paper 580; no subscore below 21 iBT/55 paper), or MELAB/MSU English Language Center Test average 85 with no subscore below 83. Exceptional applicants below the English minimum may be admitted provisionally.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/graduate-students

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