We train area specialists with a global perspective. Our students learn how to research, interpret and teach the histories and historiographies of particular places from comparative, cross-cultural, transnational and global approaches. To foster awareness of transregional and transcontinental connections, the department's specialists in five regional fields (U.S., Latin American, Asian, African, and European history) also work together in topical clusters and transnational groupings to offer advanced seminars, speaker series, and more.
While building regional expertise through seminars and directed studies, our students receive systematic transnational and transregional training through seminars in these thematic fields. Students might choose to focus on one of them, or study several in conjunction. In either case, our graduates distinguish themselves as area specialists who understand the potentially global connections of all human interaction, and who are trained to think, research, and teach across regional boundaries.
Our students also take advantage of a vibrant city-wide academic community, including cross-registration and strong collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University's Department of History.
For more information about the graduate program please contact Michel Gobat, Graduate Director, or Patty Landon, Graduate Administrator.
Our highly selective graduate program is known for the careful mentoring of students, a spirit of collaboration among faculty and students, an emphasis on graduate student self-governance and voice, and last but not least generous funding through a variety of teaching and research fellowships.
We encourage prospective students to explore this website and to read recent publications by our faculty in regions and themes that match their interests. Feel free to reach out directly via email to potential mentors among our faculty, or to contact current students with questions about their experiences.
Our program provides excellent opportunities for professional development, including seminars and workshops geared towards careers both inside and outside of academia. We take great pride in our graduates' wide range of successful professional trajectories, and also have an academic placement rate that ranks among the highest of comparable schools.
Learn more about our program and the application process by exploring the frequently asked questions.