INTRODUCTION
The graduate program in History at West Virginia University has a long, distinguished history. With the arrival of Dr. James Morton Callahan on campus in September 1902, the efforts to develop the History curriculum accelerated. Callahan's training at John Hopkins University under Herbert Baxter Adams, his accomplishments in diplomatic history, his eye for professional talent, and his administrative skill immediately benefited the department. The program began a period of growth which reached an important level when Festus P. Summers, who later became chairman of the department, was awarded its first Ph.D. in Histosry in 1933.
Under Callahan, the department emphasized diplomatic history and West Virginia/Appalachian regional history. Callahan's many publications on international relations quickly established the reputation of the department in this area. Charles H. Ambler, recruited by Callahan and later became chairman of the department, launched an aggressive campaign to strengthen the library, particularly in West Virginia materials. Today, the West Virginia and Regional History Collection is one of the strongest of its kind, housing primary source materials for political, economic, social, cultural, and technological history of the state and region.
West Virginia/Appalachian regional history is still a major strength of the department. Additions gradually followed, until the department offered graduate work in several fields of United States, European, African, East Asian, and Latin America history, and of science and technology.
Placement
Although an advanced degree does not automatically secure a position in teaching and/or research, graduates of the department have fared very well in a variety of different positions. Recent graduates are teaching at universities and 2 and 4 year colleges in several states and abroad, serving as bibliographers and historians for public and private institutions and working in libraries, archives, and museums, and as administrative and development officers. Students who are attentive to a variety of career options and who are prepared to use their knowledge and training to pursue these options often find early success in the job market.
Graduate Application
APPLICATION DEADLINES:
Fall 2009 Admission all materials must be post marked by December 31, 2008
Spring 2009 Admission all materials must be post marked by October 1, 2008
Please continue reading below to see all of the documents requested to be admitted to the History Department Graduate Programs.
Your application (if not completed on-line)*, official transcripts, and GRE scores should be sent directly to:
To consider your application, you will need to send the following documents to our department at:Admissions and Records
West Virginia University
PO Box 6009
Morgantown, WV 26506-6009*Please be advised that you should allow at least two weeks for your on-line application to be sent to the History Department from Admissions & Records.
West Virginia UniversityStatement of Purpose - should indicate your goals as a history graduate student and the area in history in which you expect to concentrate.
Eberly College of Arts & Sciences
History Department, 220 Woodburn Hall
Morgantown WV 26506-6303
Writing Sample - should be an essay, thesis, or term paper you have done for a history class.
Three letters of Recommendation - should be by people who are in a position to evaluate your academic strengths. We have no form to provide to you.
Graduate Handbook
