Graduate School:
Opportunities for History Majors
Here is some introductory information about graduate school and answers to some frequently asked questions. If you think you are interested in finding out more about graduate school, please contact Dr. Molly Wood. Handouts, publications and other information are available from Dr. Wood.
- Why do you want to go to grad school?
- What is public history?
- How do I start the application process?
- What's in an application?
- How can I contact Witt history majors who went to grad school?
- Some tips for succeeding in graduate school
Why do you want to go to graduate school to study history?Students go to graduate school in history to earn an advanced degree (MA or PhD) in order to become a professional historian. Often the final goal is to work in an academic environment (a university professor) but there are also professional historians working in a large number of other capacities (see section below on public history).
Students should gather as much information as possible about the historical profession before making the decision to go to graduate school. Entering a graduate program is a serious financial commitment. Students considering PhD programs should know that the average time it takes to complete a PhD in history is eight years and that the academic job market is extremely competitive (because the number if new history PhDs continues to outnumber academic jobs available each year).
At the same time, many graduate students in history persevere because they have a passion for the study of history and cannot imagine themselves doing anything else, and for many the historical profession will be extremely satisfying and rewarding.
What is "Applied History" or "Public History?"
Applied history (or public history) generally refers to those careers in history that fall outside the realm of the traditional academic environment. Public historians make history and historical scholarship available to wide and diverse audiences and may have careers in museums, historical societies, archives and libraries, government agencies (at all levels), corporations and historical consulting firms. For more information see The National Council on Public History and The National Trust for Historic Preservation . As an example of what a public history graduate program look like, you may want to consult public history program websites at American University or The University of South Carolina.
How do I start the application process?
The application process is very time consuming. You should start the process at least one year before you wish to enroll in graduate school (so students who wish to enter graduate school the fall after graduation should ideally begin the application process at the end of their junior year). Deadlines for application vary from early December to February. Most schools require that you take the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) which you should arrange to take in October of your senior year. For more information on GREs contact the Wittenberg Career Center and consult GRE online .
- Deciding about schools: You should plan to spend a great deal of time gathering information about various graduate programs. This information is readily available on the web and in the American Historical Association's Directory of History Departments and Organizations in the United States and Canada. (This directory is available from Dr. Wood). You should also plan to ask your Wittenberg professors (especially your advisor) for information about graduate programs.
- MA or PhD: MA programs generally last two years. If you are considering Public history, the MA degree is generally sufficient to become a working historian. Sometimes students who are not sure they want to commit to a PhD program right away will enroll first in an MA program. Then after they earn the MA, they can make the decision to go on for a PhD.
- What fields of history do you want to study: You should even be thinking about specific professors you might want to work with. This will take time and research. Your preferred field of study will help narrow the choice of schools -- certain schools are known for certain specializations in history. Do you want to study American history? Medieval history? African history? Do not hestitate to contact schools in which you are interested directly. Faculty should be happy to talk with prospective students. You may also ask if you can contant current graduate students in their department (for the REAL SCOOP!) You should also research the potential job market in different fields of study.
- Money: Be sure to investigate financial aid and awards when you are looking for schools! What is the cost of living in the areas of the country you are looking at? What is the availability of assistantships? What is the funding situation at the schools in which you are interested?
What's in an application to graduate school?
Applications will vary from school to school, but generally you will be required to submit your GRE scores, your Wittenberg transcript, your recommendations from Wittenberg professors and your own "personal statement" or "statement of purpose." It is not easy to get into graduate school! You should not take rejection personally. Admissions committees often receive hundreds of applications, and you are no more than a name on a piece of paper. Be sure to read admissions requirements for each school carefully -- are you applying only to the very top schools in the country? What are your chances of getting in? Consult with your Wittenberg professors.
1) GRE scores. The minimum requirements will vary from school to school. Remember that you may take the GREs more than once (and generally, your score goes up if you retake the exam).
2) Transcript. Minimum GPA will vary from school to school (though generally schools expect at least a 3.0)
3) Recommendations. You should choose carefully. Make sure that the professors you ask to write recommendations know you and your work well. You should provide them with as much information as possible.
4) Personal Statement. The statement of purpose is certainly the most difficult aspect of the application. It is not to be taken lightly, nor is it to be written in a rush! You should be thoughtful and serious. Have your advisor and other faculty read it and offer suggestions. Remember that it will be read by the admissions committee not solely for content but also as a sample of your writing style.
We are working on compiling a list of Wittenberg history majors who went on to do graduate work in history. In the meantime, please see Dr. Wood or other history faculty for some names of people you may contact. Also, you may consult Monstertrakfor information on how to contact Wittenberg grads. (See the career center for information on how to use Monstertrak).
SOME TIPS FOR SUCCEEDING IN
GRADUATE SCHOOL
- Be aware that graduate school will be very different from your undergraduate experience. It is vitally important that you be able to manage your time and that you can deal with stress (especially mental and emotional fatigue!)
- The work load will probably seem staggering at first, so you will have to learn strategies for coping with it. Most of your courses will probably be seminar-style classes that meet weekly. It may seem as if you have lots of "unscheduled" time during the week, so it will take discipline and structure to use this time wisely.
- You should make time for yourself -- find time to exercise and/or spend time with friends. It is easy to become too isolated in grad school so you should make time to have a social life.
- You may have to deal with questions from family and friends who do not understand why you have chosen to go to grad school. They may find it difficult to understand why you feel like you have to work all the time.
- Your friends from college who have gone directly to "real jobs" will have money, and you will not. The financial burdens of graduate school can be great.
- Your ego may take a beating, especially in your first semester of grad school and especially if you are accustomed to receiving very good grades in college. Do not take it personally. It will take time to develop confidence in your own abilities.
- Develop relationships with your professors in grad school. You should be prepared to work closely with them.
- You must speak up in class.
- You should accept the fact that you will never know it all and will never feel completely prepared.
- Also be aware that many (most?) graduate students will end up working as teaching assistants (TAs) and even teaching their own classes while taking courses themselves and writing a thesis or dissertation.
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