UMass/Five College Graduate Program in History

M.A. and Ph.D. programs are available in a variety of fields, especially in the history of the United States, Latin America, and Europe; among these is the nationally known and highly respected program in Public History. We offer a variety of historiography courses in U.S., European, Latin American, and World History. Featured is the Introduction to History seminar taken by all new students during the fall semester. We also schedule a range of topical courses and research seminars. In recent years, these have explored social and cultural history, the history of work and labor, women's and gender history, public history, and the history of science and technology. Recent additions to the faculty have strengthened resources in the history of China, Pacific Empires, women's history, and the history of science.

The graduate program is highly selective. In recent years we have been able to admit only about 25% of M.A. applicants and an even smaller percentage of Ph.D. applicants. While most PhD applicants have MAs before they apply, in exceptional cases an applicant may be admitted directly into the doctoral program. (Here is a list of current and recent graduate students for an idea of students work in progress).

Special Programs/Resources:

Notable is the nationally respected program in Public History that draws on a network of museums, archives, historical societies, and historic preservation agencies, including Historic Deerfield and the Emily Dickinson Museum, with opportunities for both internships and research.  Among a rich variety of special collections are the W. E. B. Du Bois and Horace Mann Bond papers and the papers of the Hon. Silvio O. Conte at the University as well as substantial resources for Early America, especially New England, and Latin American.  The Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College is an internationally recognized repository of manuscripts, photographs, periodicals, and other primary sources in women's history. The substantial collections of the American Antiquarian Society are nearby in Worcester, Massachusetts.