The Department of History offers the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The department is particularly strong in the fields of Western U.S. history specifically, and American history in general. Modern and early modern Europe as well as European diplomacy are other areas of strength. The department offers courses defined by traditional chronological and regional divisions as well as a variety of topical and innovative courses.
The history Ph.D. is a small, select program geared for students with a variety of particular interests. It prepares students to fill jobs as historians with government agencies, public historians (with private firms doing contract historical research; state, local, and private archives; historical societies; and museums), as well as junior colleges, community colleges, and four-year institutions. Although all candidates prepare basic course work and requirements, the training of candidates beyond that varies according to the careers students plan to pursue. The department offers a broad-based Ph.D. in a variety of fields; however, it offers particular emphases in Montana and western U.S. history, environmental and natural resource history, U.S. legal and political history, nineteenth and twentieth century U.S. history, and Native American history. It also offers broad preparation for candidates considering teaching positions. Students are expected to complete the program in four years.
The history M.A. is a rigorous degree. Its emphasis on breadth and depth of study, its comprehensive examinations, and its thesis requirement (there is a non-thesis degree requirement as well), combine to prepare students either for employment opportunities or for further graduate work.
Students normally complete the M.A. program within two years; they find employment in education (in junior colleges, community colleges and private high schools), in museums and historical projects, in the public sector, or in private business. Other students move on to doctoral programs. The department has placed students in doctoral programs at some of the most prestigious institutions in the country.
| Program | Degree Offered |
|---|---|
| History | M.A.;Ph.D. |
Requirements
Fifteen (15) credits past the M.A. degree - a total of forty-five (45) credits. Students must demonstrate competence in foreign languages and write an M.A. thesis. If accepted directly into the Ph.D. program, students may instead submit two research papers which must be approved by a committee. In addition, students must pass written examinations in four fields, pass a comprehensive oral examination, write a doctoral dissertation, and pass an oral defense.
The Department of History has a detailed prospectus ("Graduate Program in History") which describes the requirements for course work, foreign languages, field examinations, and thesis. This may be accessed through the History Department web site.
Requirements
Thesis, 30 credits; Non-thesis, 36 credits.
The Department of History has a detailed prospectus ("Master's Program in History") which describes the requirements for course work, foreign language, thesis and nonthesis options, and field exams. This may be accessed through the History Department web site.
Fall deadline for Ph.D. - Complete application packet must be received by February 1.
Fall deadline for M.A. - Complete application packet must be received by March 15.
Instructions for applying to the Graduate School are in the Applying for Admission section on this web site.
In addition to the application materials required by the Graduate School, the Department of History also requires:
A writing sample (preferably a substantial piece of historical writing based on original research).
The Department of History accepts GRE scores with a test date that is within the past five years or verifiable GRE scores if the test date is over five years old.
Students wishing to be considered for teaching assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, or internships must submit a complete application packet by February 1. All completed application packets received on or before February 1 will be considered for teaching assistantships.
See the International Student Admission section on this web site.
For additional information about financial assistance, see the Financial Information section on this web site.
Ten teaching assistantships are available to history graduate students. These are awarded on a competitive basis annually. Assistantships for Ph.D. students may be renewed up through the fourth year. assistantships for M.A. students may be renewed for a second year. Teaching assistants handle discussion sections in the American and European surveys. Some money is available for graders in individual courses.
In addition to their salaries, teaching assistants receive a tuition fee waiver (in-state or out-of-state) and a waiver of the registration fee. Other fees charged by the University are not included in the TA fee waiver package. Teaching assistants are required to register for 9 credits each semester.
Research money is available for specific projects from three sources: the A.B. Hammond Fund for Western History administered by the department and the Research Advisory Council, administered by the Vice President for Research and Economic Development.
The Moser/McKinney Scholarship includes a stipend, tuition, and all fees. It is renewable for a second year.
The Cappadocia Fellowship of $3,000 is awarded annually to a graduate student in European history.
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History |
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Campus Location
Liberal Arts Building, Room 256
Federal Express Delivery - Street Address
32 Campus Drive #6264
Missoula, MT 59812-6264
(406) 243-2231
Fax: (406) 243-4076
Diane.Rapp@mso.umt.edu
Robert H. Greene
(406) 243-2986
robert.greene@umontana.edu
Jeff Wiltse
(406) 243-2987
jeff.wiltse@mso.umt.edu
