Graduate Certificate in History (9 credit hours)

The Graduate Certificate Program in History is designed to provide students with the opportunity to take graduate-level courses in History for professional development or for personal enrichment. Students can choose either to focus on a specific area of study or to take courses from a variety of historical subfields. The Certificate in History is ideal for those who desire a graduate credential in History, but are unsure about the feasibility of seeking a master’s or doctoral degree. Credits earned in the Graduate Certificate program can be applied to a Master of Arts degree if you decide to continue your studies.

This certificate program should be of interest to a wide range of community members:

  • Those with an undergraduate degree in History or a related discipline who would like the satisfaction of earning a graduate-level credential
  • Secondary school educators for whom a graduate credential would advance their professional careers
  • Those working in history-related fields (e.g., museums, historical societies, libraries, government, law) who want to deepen their historical understanding and enhance their professional competence
  • Community members with a strong interest in History who would enjoy the challenge of taking graduate-level classes for personal fulfillment

Admissions requirements:

  1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
  2. Submission of a letter of intent stating your intended academic professional objectives and fields for specialization. Indicate why the Department of History is the best place for you to pursue those goals and the faculty members with whom you would like to work. This statement should be double-spaced and between 750 and 1500 words.
  3. Three letters of recommendation from persons able to evaluate the applicant’s potential for graduate study.
  4. A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) is required; please submit within the online application system.
  5. Prepare, and attach within the online application, a detailed description of your preparation in languages including the number of semesters of university-level coursework. Transcripts documenting language courses must accompany your application. Indicate how well you speak, read, and write the language(s). Native English speakers should focus on describing preparation in Non-English language courses. Non-Native English speakers should indicate their native language(s) and language preparation in English.

Program requirements:
The Graduate Certificate Program in History consists of 9 credit hours of approved courses in HIST at the 5000 and 6000 levels, some of which require the instructor’s pre-approval.

Approved courses for certificate students:
HIST 5000: Topics in History
HIST 5150: Topics in Public History
HIST 5245: Topics in American History
HIST 5405: Topics in Ancient History
HIST 5495: Topics in European History
HIST 5500: Topics in Medieval History
HIST 5501: Medieval Proseminar
HIST 5850: Topics in Asian, African, and Latin American History
HIST 5890: Oral History Workshop
HIST 5891: Digital Humanities
HIST 5910: Topics in Historical Theory and Method
HIST 6010: Historiography
HIST 6050: Readings in American History
HIST 6115: Readings in Ancient History
HIST 6120: Readings in Medieval History
HIST 6160: Readings in European History
HIST 6180: Readings in Global and Comparative History
HIST 6200 Bibliographical Research
HIST 6250: Readings in Cultural Resource Management
HIST 6440: Material Culture

Courses approved for certificate students on permission of the instructor:
HIST 6730: Research Seminar in History
HIST 6750: Research Seminar in American History
HIST 6815: Research Seminar in Ancient History
HIST 6820: Research Seminar in Medieval History
HIST 6860: Research Seminar in European History
HIST 6880: Research Seminar in Global and Comparative History