The Arizona State University History Department offers both Masters and Doctoral degrees in many areas of geographic and thematic concentrations.  More than one hundred students are enrolled in our graduate program creating a rich and supportive environment for graduate study.  In addition to directed readings courses with individual faculty mentors, the Department offers a dozen or more formal graduate courses each semester taught by a rotating selection of our faculty of more than forty professors.  Our professors have distinguished publication records, are leaders in numerous professional organizations, bring research funding and special projects to the department, and have received many regional, national and international fellowships, honors and awards for teaching, research, and service. These accomplishments along with a strong commitment to actively mentoring graduate students enables the Department to provide outstanding graduate training.

Graduate students aiming for an academic career major in one of four geographic areas (Europe, North America, East Asia, Latin America) and develop a research expertise in one or more of the department’s thematic specializations.  A set of four team-taught “core” courses provide structured exam preparation for students in the European and North American fields. Students aiming for professional employment outside the academy can apply to the department’s prominent Public History program.

The Department provides diverse training in research, teaching, editing, grant-writing, administration, and other professional activities to help students develop an individualized suite of skills and experiences designed to make them competitive in their desired career, whether it be a small teaching college or a large research university, a local historical society or a federal agency.  Our graduate students regularly present papers at regional and national conferences, publish in professional journals, and hold internships in government, corporate, and nonprofit organizations.

The Department has a well-developed program to prepare students for college-level teaching, including a sequence of two seminars that train students in how to prepare syllabi, write and grade exams, prepare lectures, lead discussions, utilize information technology, and manage classroom dynamics.  Ph.D. students who complete this program are typically hired to teach courses for the department after they have passed their qualifying exams. Many students also teach in the local community college system, which is the largest in the nation.  Finally, the department educates students about the broader aspects of academic life through the Preparing Future Faculty program.  Arizona State University was one of the original participants in the national PFF program and offers a university-level PFF course sequence.  The Department, however, has created its own PFF program specifically focused on the history discipline.

Contact Information:

Suzanne Rios,
Program Coordinator, Graduate Program
Office: COOR 4481
Phone: 480-965-3226
Email: suzanne.rios@asu.edu