Graduate study at UNC-Chapel Hill is notable for the rich diversity of its subject fields, theoretical approaches, and thematic areas of historical investigation, as well as the flexibility of its MA and PhD degree requirements. A spirit of collaborative inquiry defines our graduate program, shaping relations between faculty and students, opening doors to interdisciplinary study, and putting students in touch with people and resources throughout the UNC campus and the Research Triangle. The work of the History Department at Chapel Hill is facilitated by an excellent library system (the combined resources of UNC and Duke place our library collections in the top ten nationally) and vibrant relationships with all the institutions of higher learning in the Triangle area. This broad sense of intellectual community helps to guide the innovative teaching and research of faculty and students alike.
Graduate study in History at UNC is organized around the following fields of study:
- African History
- Ancient History
- Asian History
- European History
- Global History
- Latin American History
- Military History
- Russian and Eastern European History
- United States History
- Women’s and Gender History
These “major fields” of the Department are particularly important for shaping (a) a student’s curriculum (most major fields have a few required courses) and (b) the structure of his/her comprehensive examinations. When applying for admission, each student indicates the major field of history in which he/she wishes to concentrate.
In addition, graduate students are encouraged to be aware of, and to take advantage of, the presence of faculty members who may work outside a student’s major field but who share similar thematic concerns or have experience in research methods relevant to a student’s developing research. See this list of Thematic Orientations that bring faculty together across fields.
For details about the graduate program including information about funding, degree requirements, field-specific comprehensive exam requirements, graduate student teaching, and other information, please consult the Requirements, Guides, and Policies page.
