History Graduate Degree Program

Description
The Department of History believes that broad training in history, coupled with depth in a historical specialty, offers students a competitive edge in today's job market. The department's goal is to train scholars who excel in research and teaching skills, and who can easily step into the profession. The Department offers the M.A. and the Ph.D. in history within two parallel curricula. One, traditional in nature, prepares students primarily, though not exclusively, for teaching careers in higher and secondary education. The second is a graduate program in public historical studies, which aims at training historians for careers in the community at large, working in a variety of historical institutions (museums, preservation firms, oral history projects) or as private consultants. Graduates of this program are also prepared to teach public history at the college and university level, and often pursue opportunities in both traditional and non-traditional areas.

The Department offers doctoral study in eleven general fields of history:
  • United States
  • Latin America
  • East Asia
  • Africa
  • The Middle East
  • History of Science
  • Ancient Mediterranean World
  • Medieval Europe
  • Early Modern Europe
  • Modern Europe
  • History of Public Policy

    Doctoral students may add an interdisciplinary emphasis in Women's Studies, Medieval Studies, Global Studies, Technology and Society and Ancient Mediterranean Studies. In addition to formal course work, students are introduced to professional literature, resources, and activities, through venues such as the Department's Center for Cold War Studies, the Center for the Study of Work, Labor and Democracy, the History of Science Colloquium, and the Medieval Studies Program.

    • General Information
    Website http://www.history.ucsb.edu/
    Address Department of History
    University of California, Santa Barbara
    Humanities & Social Sciences Building, Room 4001
    Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9410
    (USA)
    Phone (805) 893-2224
    Email deborahj@history.ucsb.edu
    Degrees Offered MA/PhD, PhD
    Requirements
    • Online application: https://www.graddiv.ucsb.edu/eapp
    • Statement of Purpose with completed coversheets (2 copies)
    • Statement of Personal Achievements/Contributions (2 copies)
    • Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) (2 copies)
    • Three Letters of Recommendation (Submitted online. Note: if submitted via postal mail, please attach required coversheets)
    • Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended (2 copies)
    • GRE General test scores
    • TOEFL scores 550 Paper-Based Test (PBT), 80 Internet-Based Test (IBT) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Overall Band score of 7 or higher (if applicable)
    • Writing Sample
    • Field of Study preference sheet available at: www.history.ucsb.edu/grads/preferences.htm
    • Supplemental Information form available at: www.history.ucsb.edu/grads/appchecklist.htm
    Pre-Application No Pre-Application necessary
    Deadlines Fall Only - December 5, 2009
    Optional Emphases Ancient Mediterranean Studies; European Medieval Studies; Feminist Studies; Global Studies; Public History; Technology & Society (All Ph.D. only)