AHA Directory of History Departments and Organizations
Institution Details
108 Weaver Bldg.
University Park, PA 16802-5500
Phone: 814.865.1367
Email: asg5@psu.edu
Website: https://history.la.psu.edu/
History majors at PSU benefit from an excellent faculty, sound curriculum, and small class sizes. Our graduate program focuses on only four areas of departmental strength: the United States, Latin America, early modern global, and China. Students admitted to the Department of History’s graduate program receive funding for five years.
Director of Graduate Studies: Kathryn Merkel-Hess
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Amanda Scott
Degrees Offered: BA,MA,PHD
Academic Year System: SEM
Areas of Specialization: early modern global, US, Latin America, modern China, African American/Asian/women’s studies
In-state: $20066
Out-of-state: $41212
In-state: $21200
Out-of-state: $21200
Admissions: https://admissions.psu.edu/apply/
Financial Aid: https://studentaid.psu.edu/
Admissions: https://gradschool.psu.edu/
Financial Aid: https://studentaid.psu.edu/graduate-and-professional-students
Areas of Specialization: early modern global, US, Latin America, modern China, African American/Asian/women’s studies
Not applicable
Doctoral Program Information
A. Program Description. The Penn State History Graduate Program is small and intensive. It provides students with the tools they will use to interpret the past and allows them develop a comprehensive understanding of historical systems, processes, networks, and cultures. With fewer than 25 students taking coursework at any one point, the department's low faculty-to-student ratio ensures an individualized and personal interaction between students and our award-winning faculty (including many Guggenheim, NEH, ACLS and Fulbright winners).
B. Special Programs. The Department of History, Penn State University is an active participant in the university's dual-title degree doctoral programs partnering with African American Studies, Asian Studies and Women's Studies. Our dual-title programs enhance the intellectual depth and interdisciplinary breadth of graduate work through core courses outside of the Department of History that is still nonetheless grounded in historical study, research, and teaching. The Richards Civil War Era Center is housed in the department and offers many research and funding opportunities for students working in the long 19th century on both global and national subjects.
C. Financial Aid. All History graduate students admitted into the PhD program receive a minimum of five years of funding from a combination of sources. The Graduate School, the College of the Liberal Arts, and special fellowship and scholarship funds enable the History Department to offer a stipend of at least $18,000 per year plus health insurance and full tuition. Typically, the fifth year is service free. During years one through four, students work as teaching or research assistants. In addition, the department offers funding for summer research, conference travel, and matching funds for short-term library grants.
D. Degree Requirements. Doctoral students are expected to complete four seminars in a primary field and two seminars in each of their two secondary areas. The only required course is HIST500 - Theory, Method and the Practice of History. The remainder of a student's doctoral program, including foreign language requirements, should be determined in consultation with the doctoral committee. The program is designed so that students complete all requirements for the PhD (including dissertation) within six to seven years.
Directory of History Dissertations
Doctoral Program Statistics 2024-25:
PhD students currently enrolled: 32
PhD applications received: 80
New PhD students: 7
% of students receiving tuition waivers: 100
% of students receiving stipends: 100
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