History includes politics, economics and aesthetics, as well as social, spiritual and cultural relations—our past, our present and our potential as human beings. The history graduate program, mindful of the discipline’s manifold importance and application, offers master of arts and doctoral degree programs in breadth and depth.
Program Credits
Years to Complete
Accelerated Degree Program
Graduate study in history allows students to increase their knowledge of the past and the processes that have shaped the human experience. Such study may prepare students for careers in scholarship, teaching or certain public service fields.
The three major areas in the master of arts program and corresponding fields are:
The Graduate School provided a new tuition model for all incoming students in humanities graduate programs starting in fall 2020. Take advantage of our three-year pilot program, which includes a 57 percent reduction in the student credit hour rate, resulting in a $500 per credit hour rate for students in the following master of arts programs: Christian Doctrine, English, History, Theology and Philosophy.
Learning Outcomes
1. Construct syntheses of factual and historiographical information in two distinct fields of history.
The measure used is the comprehensive examination—an eight-hour written examination, with six hours devoted to the student’s major field and two hours to a minor field.
2. Use historical research tools and methods to write article-length papers on original, historical topics.
The measure used is the final MA Essay, usually a revised and expanded seminar paper evaluated by the faculty adviser with the director of graduate studies using the rubric developed by the graduate faculty.
History Graduate Students
Around 40% of our MA students enter doctoral programs (both at Marquette and other schools). An additional 20% are applying their studies to work in public history or library and information science. Of the remaining 40%, there is a healthy mix of teachers, those working in academic administration and student affairs in colleges and high schools, as well as those working in business.
See where our other graduate students have been placed since Graduate School.
Recognized Faculty
Current members of the department have been awarded grants in the following areas:
Our faculty have also published books by top university presses like Cambridge, Johns Hopkins, North Carolina, California, NYU, Oklahoma, Syracuse and Kansas, and by academic presses like Routledge, Berg, Brill and Bedford-St. Martin’s.
Career Opportunities
While maintaining a focus on academic excellence and continuing to anchor our program in the intellectual rigors of historical inquiry, we also actively support those planning for careers outside the academy.
Career planning begins in our orientation program and continues in discussions through our coursework and workshops, often in conjunction with Marquette’s Center for Teaching and Learning, the Preparing Future Faculty and Professionals program and Career Services.
*required field
Students begin their studies in the fall of each academic year. This program offers rolling admission, which means you may apply any time before August 1 for the fall term. International applicants must apply by June 1 for the fall term.
Read all application instructions prior to beginning an application.
1Upon admission, final official transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities, with certified English translations if original language is not English, must be submitted to the Graduate School within the first five weeks of the term of admission or a hold preventing registration for future terms will be placed on the student’s record.
The department offers 14 teaching assistantships and five research assistantships to incoming and continuing students. Senior PhD students are eligible for full-year research fellowships awarded by the graduate school (history students typically receive 3-4 each year). Most PhD students receive five years of financial aid, ranging from teaching or research assistantships to teaching fellowships to research fellowships. PhD students' classroom training is topped off by teaching an undergraduate seminar in their research field. Many students also receive crucial teaching experience as instructors at area colleges, including Alverno, Carroll, Cardinal Stritch, University of Wisconsin-Parkside and UW-Milwaukee.
Private scholarships may also be available. U.S. citizens and permanent residents may be eligible to apply for student loans to help fund their educational expenses as well.
Students interested in the history master's program may want to consider applying for the Trinity Fellows Program as well. The Trinity Fellows graduate fellowship program is dedicated to developing urban leaders with a commitment to social and economic justice. Trinity Fellows participate in a 21-month study/ work program while earning a master's degree. Those who have completed a full-time service program (minimum 10 months), and/or have worked for 2+ years in the nonprofit sector are eligible to apply. Details and instructions to apply are found on the Trinity Fellows website.
Application Deadline: Rolling Admission
Full-Time: Yes | Online Options: No
Program Course Work: Master's- 30 Credits,
2021-22 Tuition Cost Per Credit for Master's Program: $500.00
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