MA/PhD Program

Program Overview

UC Santa Barbara's MA/Ph.D. program in History equips students with research and pedagogical skills for academic or non-academic careers. The program emphasizes versatility, offering a broad range of fields of study and opportunities for interdisciplinary emphases. Graduates are prepared for teaching and research positions in academia, as well as roles in archives, museums, government, and non-profit organizations.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Department of History at UC Santa Barbara offers a single MA/Ph.D. program for all graduate students. This program aims to equip students with the necessary research and pedagogical skills to excel in academia or in non-academic settings.

Objectives:

• Research Training: Students are expected to gain research skills, culminating in a doctoral dissertation.
• Pedagogical Training: The program focuses on developing teaching skills and provides opportunities to gain experience in instruction.
• Versatility: Students are trained to leverage their historical understanding in both academic and non-academic careers.

Careers:

The program prepares students for various career paths, including:

• Academic positions: Teaching and research at colleges and universities.
• Non-academic roles: The program emphasizes skills applicable to non-academic settings, suggesting opportunities in areas such as archives, museums, government, and non-profit organizations.

Other:

• The department offers a broad range of 17 fields of study, allowing students to gain depth and perspective in their chosen area.
• The program provides access to faculty from other departments and opportunities for interdisciplinary PhD emphases.
• The graduate program dynamically reflects the evolving interests of the faculty and the field of history.
• Graduate students can find resources, including forms, exam best practices, and useful links, under the Graduate Student Resources section.
• Students are encouraged to explore the graduate student directory to learn about their peers' achievements and contributions.