Department of History College of Social Sciences and Humanities Northeastern University

Graduate Programs in History at Northeastern University

The History Department at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, offers MA and PhD degrees in history that emphasize the connections amongst geographical regions as well as the long-term historical processes -- such as trade, migration, state formation, religion, colonialism, and global ecology -- that take place around the globe.

Graduate students receive a comprehensive education that includes mentoring, in-depth training in a full-range of research methods and methodologies, and teaching experience. They may choose to focus their studies on world history, public history, or the history of particular regions or peoples in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, or the United States.

These outstanding and innovative programs prepare students for success in a competitive job market. In fact, the graduate school of history at Northeastern University received a ranking within the top 100 schools of its kind by "U.S. News and World Report" in 2009.

Master of Arts in History at Northeastern University

The Master of Arts in History program at Northeastern University provides training in a wide-range of historical methodologies as well as in-depth knowledge of the literature of history. The program's curriculum includes 2 theory and methodology courses, 1 research seminar, and 6 elective courses. Students also complete comprehensive examinations or write master's theses.

Courses include American history (e.g., political reform in America and modern American social history) and global history (e.g., contemporary China, Caribbean history, topics in Russian history, and third world women). Topics of research seminars include east European history, urban history, global environmental history, African American history, and gender and society in a modern world.

MA in History with a Certificate in Public History

Northeastern University's MA in History with a certificate in public history is one of the oldest programs of its kind in the country. The program, which includes 32 semester hours of coursework, can be pursued on a full-time or part-time basis.

Its curriculum includes 1 course in theory and methodology, at least 3 courses in public history, 1 fieldwork course, and 2 elective courses. Students also take at least 1 research seminar that includes writing a major research paper.

In addition, each student demonstrates proficiency in 1 foreign language and appropriate computer applications. Students also complete comprehensive examinations, write master's theses, or present public history projects.

Overview of the Doctoral Program in History at Northeastern

The PhD in History program at Northeastern, which has a core focus on world history, prepares students for teaching and research at the college and university levels. Students receive "systematic training in theory and methodology" and complete "intensive reading" in theoretical literature that provides insight into historical analysis and global historiography. Each PhD student develops a specialization in cultural history, social science history, environmental and biological history, or public history.

Applicants are accepted into the program at the post-baccalaureate and post-master's degree levels.

PhD in History Curriculum

In the first and second years of the program, students complete courses, choose specializations, and earn their MA degrees in history. Year 3 of the program involves coursework, apprentice teaching (or fieldwork), completing the dissertation proposal, and sitting for the qualifying examination.

In years 4 and 5, students complete their dissertations and may engage in lectureships (for up to 2 years) in which they teach introductory courses in European, American, or world history.

PhD students also develop effective reading knowledge of the languages in which they will be conducting research. Post-baccalaureate students complete all 5 years of the curriculum while post-master's degree students complete the last 3 years of the program.

Faculty and Research

The Department of History is the academic home to dynamic faculty members who have achieved worldwide recognition for their research endeavors. Faculty members have been awarded research funding from a number of prestigious organizations including the National Endowment for the Humanities, German Marshall Fund, Fulbright Programs, Guggenheim Foundation, and Encyclopedia Britannica.

Their research interests span a wide range of subjects including American cultural history, public history, history of women in China, history of public parks in Japan, and media in history.

For instance, Professor Harvey Green, PhD, conducts research on the cultural history of the United States. His published works explore various subjects including the history of photography, the history of health and fitness, craft revival movements in the US in the 1930s, and everyday life in the U.S. between 1915 and 1945.

Financial Assistance for Graduate Students

In recent years, the Department of History has provided financial aid to more than 80 percent of incoming students. Graduate assistantships at Northeastern University are merit-based and include stipends and tuition waivers. Students may also qualify for scholarships, fellowships, and federal work study programs.

In addition, they may receive government-sponsored student loans or pursue loans from lenders that do not participate in government loan programs.

More information is available regarding graduate applications and graduate studies at Northeastern University.

Northeastern University

Established in 1898, Northeastern University is located in Boston, Massachusetts, in the northeastern region of the United States. NEU is a private, research-oriented university that offers nearly 20,000 students more than 250 undergraduate and graduate programs.

The university's academic programs combine theoretical education with practical experience. In fact, its esteemed co-op program provides students with as many as 18 months of paid, professional employment that complements their academic study and career interests.

This commitment to academic excellence and research earned Northeastern University a ranking on the "US News and World Report" 2011 list of the 100 top national universities in the United States.

• Degrees Offered
• Major Degree Levels Offered
• World History Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Public History Master of Arts (MA)
• History Master of Arts (MA)

• Degrees Awarded
• Master's Degrees 11
• Doctoral Degrees Not reported
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported
• * Shows the number of degrees awarded for the last academic year that data was reported.

• Earning Your Degree
• Part-time study available? Yes
• Evening/weekend programs available? Yes
• Distance learning programs available? No
• Terminal master's degree available? Yes

• Degree Requirements
• Master's Degrees 1, Alternate accepted and project
• Doctoral Degrees Required
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied116
• Accepted46
• Acceptance Rate39%
• Enrolled19
• Applying
• Application Fee - Domestic $50
• Application Fee - International $50
• Electronic applications accepted? Yes
• Applications processed on a rolling basis? Not Reported
• Application Deadlines
• Type Domestic International Priority Date
• Fall deadline February 1st Not Reported Not Reported
• Winter deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Spring deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Entrance Requirements
• Master's DegreesGRE General Test
• Doctoral's DegreesGRE General Test
• First-Professional's DegreesNot Reported
• Other Advanced DegreesNot Reported
• International DegreesTOEFL required

• Tuition & Fees
• In-state tuition *Not Reported
• Out-of-state tuition *Not Reported
• International student tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition for full-time graduate student per academic year
• Fees
• Per-academic year feesNot Reported
• Per-term feesNot Reported
• One-time feeNot Reported
• * Fees for full-time graduate students
• Financial Support
• Financial award applicants must submitFAFSA
• Application deadlines for financial awardsFebruary 1
• Types of financial support availableTeaching Assistantships, Tuition Waivers, Career or Field-Related Internships, Scholarship and/or loans

• Gender
• Total Graduate StudentsNot Reported
• Female PercentageNot Reported
• Male PercentageNot Reported
• Participation
• Total Graduate StudentsNot Reported
• Part-time PercentageNot Reported
• Full-time PercentageNot Reported
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic / Latino0%
• Black / African American3%
• White / Caucasian47%
• American Indian / Alaskan Native0%
• Asian0%
• Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander0%
• Two or more races2%
• Unknown48%

• Existing Research
• Focus of faculty researchWorld history, U.S. social history
• Externally sponsored research expenditures last yearNot Reported