MA in History in Morgantown United States | West Virginia University

With a heritage spanning nearly 100 years, the graduate history program boasts an esteemed legacy. Initially renowned for diplomatic history studies, the department later became a leader in West Virginian and Appalachian historical research. The West Virginia and Regional History Collection now stands as one of the premier archives, preserving essential primary sources documenting the political, economic, social, cultural, and technological evolution of the region.

The program has cultivated additional expertise in African history, Civil War studies, and public history. Graduate students can pursue specialized studies across various disciplines including U.S., European, Latin American, and global history. Collaborative interdisciplinary opportunities enable students to adopt comparative methodologies and connect with industry experts. The department actively promotes research with transnational and comparative frameworks.

Our graduate curriculum offers customizable study plans tailored to individual interests while ensuring comprehensive training across historical disciplines. Students develop expertise in historiography, research methodologies, and pedagogical approaches. Faculty research and instruction focus on four thematic clusters: gender and kinship structures, imperial and postcolonial studies, labor and political economy, and the societal impacts of warfare.