The Graduate Program in History

The Program

The University of Connecticut offers both an M.A. and a Ph.D. in history.  Work is offered in United States, Latin American, European, Ancient, Middle Eastern, Asian, and African history.  Small seminars comprise the bulk of course work for both M.A. and Ph.D. candidates to provide maximum interaction between faculty and students.  Students may also design special courses with individual professors and take a limited number of advanced undergraduate courses.

The University

The University of Connecticut is an institution large enough (15,000) students) to provide variety but small enough to ensure quality.  It offers a faculty committed to teaching and research, a graduate research library of 2.3 million books and periodicals, and a location in an attractive rural setting convenient to the major research and population centers of the Northeast.

Master of Arts

The master's program is designed to give general training at the graduate level in preparation for doctoral study or work in schools, government service, law, or the private sector. (The department also offers a master's degree with an emphasis on American Studies). Applicants should have a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 21 credits in history above the freshman level and a "B" average in those courses.  In exceptional cases, students who do not meet minimum requirements may be admitted provisionally and be required to meet certain conditions before receiving regular status.

Doctor of Philosophy

The doctorate is offered in Medieval European, Early Modern and Modern European, United States, and Latin American history with supporting areas in the History of Science and in Ancient, Asian, African, and Middle Eastern history.  Supporting work in other disciplines is recommended. An applicant for the doctoral program should hold a master's degree in a field of history.  All applicants must demonstrate potential for excellence, ability in writing historical prose, and preparation in a foreign language.

Financial Aid

The University of Connecticut offers Predoctoral Fellowships and Teaching Assistantships (which include tuition waivers) each semester.  Aid is not normally available for master’s students for more than four semesters or for doctoral students for more than ten semesters beyond the Master’s degree.  All awards are made on the basis of academic merit.  

Application Requirements and Deadlines

Applicants for admission and financial aid are required to submit a personal statement concerning their interests and qualifications, an example of written work in a history course, and three letters of recommendation from college instructors.  Graduate Record Exam (G.R.E.) scores on the aptitude tests are required.  Applications for fall admission must be received by January 1. For spring admission, applications must be received by November 1. Students admitted at mid-year generally are not eligible for financial aid. For information on how to apply, either online or by mail, consult the Graduate School’s website (www.grad.uconn.edu) or write to the Graduate Admissions Office, U-1006-B 438 Whitney Road Extension, Storrs, CT 06269-1006.

For further information about the graduate program in history write to the Graduate Program, Department of History, U-2103 241 Glenbrook Road, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-2103, or phone (860) 486-3717. Information can also be found at the History department’s website (www.history.uconn.edu).

Fellowships and Scholarships

• Summer Fellowships for dissertation research
• Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships
• Outstanding Scholars Graduate Fellowships
• Multicultural Scholars Program
• The Robert W. Lougee Fellowship
• The Albert E. and Wilda E. Van Dusen Scholarship
• The Harry J. Marks Fellowship
• The Hugh Hamil Graduate Fellowship in Latin American History
• The Bruce and Sondra Astor Stave Prize in Recent American History
• The Thomas G. Paterson Fellowship in Foreign Relations History
• The James L. and Shirley A. Draper Dissertation Fellowship in Early American History
• The James M. Bozzuto Fellowship in Italian History
• The Aldo De Dominicis Graduate Fellowship in Italian American History
• The Andrew W. Pyper Scholarship
• The Michael L. Dunphy Scholarship
• Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies fellowships
• Work study and student labor
• Graduate assistantships and research assistantships
• Need-based financial aid from the Graduate School