PhD in History

Make a career in history your future

History includes politics, economics, and aesthetics, as well as social, spiritual and cultural relations—our past, our present and our potential as human beings. The history graduate program, mindful of the discipline’s manifold importance and application, offers master of arts and doctoral degree programs in breadth and depth.

Graduate study in history allows students to increase their knowledge of the past and the processes that have shaped the human experience. Such study may prepare students for careers in scholarship, teaching or certain public service fields.

The four major fields of study in the doctoral program are:

Program Information

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PhD Learning Outcomes

History Graduate Students

Recognized Faculty

Career Opportunities

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To be eligible for admission to the Graduate School at Marquette University, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Prospective applicants must possess a master of arts in history in order to apply. Students should have an idea of what specialization or direction they would like to pursue prior to applying for admission. 

Application Requirements

Read all application instructions prior to beginning an application.

  • A completed online application form and fee.
  • Transcripts:
    • If coursework was completed within the United States, submit copies of all current and previous college/universities except Marquette1
  • A one-page statement of purpose specifying proposed areas of study and academic interests.
  • Three letters of recommendation from former teachers.
  • GRE scores (general test only) are optional.
  • For doctoral applicants only: a writing sample. Ideally, the sample should be the master’s thesis, but, for graduates of non-thesis programs, it may consist of a formal seminar paper.
  • For international applicants only: TOEFL score or other acceptable proof of English proficiency.

1Upon admission, final official transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities, with certified English translations if original language is not English, must be submitted to the Graduate School within the first five weeks of the term of admission or a hold preventing registration for future terms will be placed on the student’s record. 

January 15: Application and application materials should be received to be considered for the fall term.

Financial Aid

The department offers fourteen teaching assistantships and five research assistantships to incoming and continuing students. Senior Ph.D. students are eligible for full-year research fellowships awarded by the graduate school (history students typically receive 3-4 each year). Most Ph.D. students receive five years of financial aid, ranging from teaching or research assistantships to teaching fellowships to research fellowships. Ph.D. students' classroom training is topped off by teaching an undergraduate seminar in their research field. Many students also receive crucial teaching experience as instructors at area colleges, including Alverno, Carroll, Cardinal Stritch, UW-Parkside, and UW-Milwaukee.

Private scholarships may also be available. U.S. citizens and permanent residents may be eligible to apply for student loans to help fund their educational expenses as well.

Trinity Fellows Program

Students interested in the History master's program may want to consider applying for the Trinity Fellows Program as well. Trinity Fellows is a graduate fellowship program dedicated to developing urban leaders with a commitment to social and economic justice. Trinity Fellows participate in a 21-month study/ work program while earning a master's degree. Those who have completed a full-time service program (minimum 10 months), and/or have worked for 2+ years in the nonprofit sector are eligible to apply. Details and instructions to apply are found on the Trinity Fellows website.