Choosing a PhD Program in History

Choosing a PhD Program in History

Choosing a graduate program is different than choosing an undergraduate program. How so? Graduate school education is typically more specific than undergraduate education. Here are some tips for making a good decision about History PhD programs.Academic Considerations are a Priority when Choosing a History PhD Program
Graduate students, particularly PhD students, apply to work with a specific professor or two. Consider their research interests and the compatibility of your interests with theirs. You will, when searching for the right graduate school, hear the term "fit" for a student's compatibility with a school. A school as the right "fit" cannot be emphasized enough. Fit is generally a better criteria for choosing a program than prestige.
Example: Let's say your primary historical interest is the Italian Renaissance. Ivy League School X has a few scholars of early modern history whose interests are semi-compatible (say, another part of Europe or Italian history in a slightly earlier time period). But Top University Y is home to one of the top Italian Renaissance scholars whose interests are very similar to yours. It may be worth applying to both institutions, but Top University Y may end up being the better fit.
Personal Considerations when Selecting History PhD Programs
Academics are not the only important factor to think about when selecting a program. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind:
Don't overlook location! While some may discount this as secondary to the professors and program, it is where you'll be living for the next several years. Not the single most important factor in your decision, but something that you absolutely should think about. Big city or small town? Four seasons or summer year-round?
If you're able to visit the school, consider the following questions:

    Can you see yourself working in the department for the next few years?
    Do the people you meet make you feel welcome?
    Can you live in the area, or will you be eager to get out of there after about a year?

If the answer to these questions is yes, then it's a go. If not, then it's time to take a step back, reevaluate the program, and compare it to the others you're interested in.
Financial Considerations when Choosing a History PhD Program
It's tough to find a fully funded, financially doable PhD program, and sometimes this is even trickier in social sciences and humanities. Keep in mind the following funding questions when choosing the school:

    Does the school offer full tuition coverage? Does the university grant PhD students a stipend? If the answer to both of these questions is "yes," then the program is considered to be "fully funded."
    If there is a stipend, how much is it? Is the stipend attached to some other commitment, like a teaching or research assistantship?

Professional Considerations when Selecting a Graduate History Program
Let's face it: The academic job market, particularly in social sciences and humanities, is highly competitive. Students should be prepared to think about other history-related career opportunities outside academia, such as museums, historical societies, consulting, editing, government, teaching outside the university environment, et cetera.
While it's common to think that the only career avenue open to PhDs (especially in a field like history), this is actually a fairly dated concept considering the fact that such a large percentage of people with a PhD in history take jobs outside academia, either because they had no luck on the academic job market or because they preferred not to pursue a career in academia in the first place.

    Does the school encourage students to develop a wide range of skills in the field, or does the program have academia tunnel-vision?
    Does the school offer students opportunities to present research at department or university conferences? Is funding available for students to travel to conferences outside the university?
    Will there be time, considering the program's structure, to take on an internship in the summer?

Additional Places to Find Advice on Choosing the Right Graduate Program
Gradcafe is a website with a variety of forums on the subject of graduate school. History programs, how to apply, what to think about when applying, and so on are all covered in the many threads going on the site.
Beyond Academe is a fantastic website for History PhD students looking to pursue a career outside academia, and offers some food for thought about the field of history and the possibilities associated with pursuing a History PhD.