Master's and PhD in History

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 was the final M.A. Essay, usually a revised and expanded seminar paper evaluated by the faculty adviser with the DGS using the rubric developed by the graduate faculty

1. Comprehend the content, literature, and methodologies of four distinct fields of history.

• The measure used was the Doctoral Qualifying Examination (DQE) in four fields—twelve hours of written exams and a three-hour oral exam

2. Complete a book-length work on an original historical topic.

• The measure is a defense of dissertation that meets department and professional standards for research, argument, and writing

3. Demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English in order to do research in non-American, non-British topics (where appropriate).

• A language exam dealing with translating sources is arranged by the doctoral candidate’s director in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies

Around 40% of our MA students enter doctoral programs (both at Marquette and other schools). Another 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.

Our doctoral students similarly have found success in education. Historically, roughly three-fourths of our PhD alumni have earned tenure track jobs. The decline in Humanities hiring has resulted in fewer of those positions but our recent graduates still hold tenure track positions as well as those of research faculty, work steadily as visiting assistant professors, lecturers and adjunct instructors, and teach in private high school programs.

See where our other graduate students have been placed since Graduate School. 

Current members of the department have been awarded grants in the following areas: 

• Fulbright-Hays
• Mellon Foundation
• Fulbright
• Rockefeller Foundation
• ACLS
• NEH
• American Philosophical Society grants
• Marquette University Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence,
• College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Award for Advising

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, Bedford-St. Martin’s. 

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 of 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.