Program: History PhD - University at Buffalo

Apr 09, 2025

WORKING 2025-2026 Graduate Catalog

The Department of History offers intense academic training in a supportive, close-knit, open-minded environment. The department has particular strength in Early Modern Societies, Race, Empire, and Nation, The Twentieth Century World, and Medicine, Disability and Science, but its small size also encourages contacts across standard disciplinary boundaries. Our students are doing research in the history of the Atlantic world, disability studies, public history, immigration history, gay and lesbian studies, and other emerging fields. Our graduates hold positions in universities, museums and libraries across the country.

Program Requirements

Coursework

HIS 501 Historical Inquiry is required of all PhD students and must be taken during the fall semester of the first year of doctoral study. The course offers an introduction to the theory and philosophy of history and is intended to acquaint students with various problems in historical analysis and understanding.

Core Courses:

All doctoral students must take at least two of the following core seminars:

HIS 502SEM - Amer Hist Core Sem 1 Credits: 3
HIS 503SEM - Amer Hist Core Sem 2 Credits: 3
HIS 504SEM - Early Mod Europe Core Credits: 3
HIS 505SEM - Modern Europe Core Credits: 3
HIS 507SEM - Asian Core Credits: 3
HIS 559SEM - Colon Latin America Core Credits: 3

Research Seminars:

Students must take at least two 600-level research seminars.

Distribution requirement:

All PhD students must take at least one course outside of the student’s major field that covers an area outside the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

Language Requirement

All doctoral students must demonstrate a reading knowledge of at least one language other than English. In some fields, two languages are required. Students are expected to take their major language exams before their third semester. All language examinations must be passed before a student can take his or her Qualifying Examinations.

Total Credit Hours: 72

3.0 Degree GPA required

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

1) Acquisition of historical and historiographical knowledge: Students should understand and evaluate narratives, methods, and theories found in the discipline of history and in their subspecialty.

2) Development of advanced analytical thinking skills: Students should be able to recognize historical patterns and connections and use them to identify and approach new interpretive problems.

3) Development of advanced research skills: Students should develop an ambitious original research project; identify appropriate sources and methods to execute it; produce a major historical work with original arguments written clear, compelling prose; and make oral presentations on their findings.

4) Development of pedagogical skills: Students will gain competency with college-level teaching through exposure to various pedagogical practices and problems.

5) Gaining awareness of career skills and options: Students will gain awareness of how the skills they acquire through advanced study of history prepare them for careers in academic and non-academic settings.

In Person (100 percent of courses offered in person)

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).