Best Masters in History Programs

When considering top accredited universities for Master’s degree programs in History, a number of prestigious institutions stand out as leaders in graduate education in history. These institutions offer diverse programs that cater to students with a wide variety of goals, including international and world history, historical approaches to literature, ancient studies, and transnational perspectives. Institutions such as Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, New York University, and Indiana University—Bloomington, represent some of the most distinguished options available for students seeking advanced degrees in history. These universities are recognized for their research strength, interdisciplinary focus, and highly ranked academic programs. Each institution offers specialized and comprehensive graduate degree options, preparing students for careers in education, research, archival work, and a variety of other fields.

Columbia University is widely regarded as one of the most important centers of graduate education in history. With programs such as the Master of Arts (M.A.) in International and World History and the M.A. in History and Literature, Columbia provides students with opportunities to explore a variety of thematic approaches and historiographical perspectives. The M.A. in History and Literature at Columbia is especially notable for its interdisciplinary approach, as it trains students to examine historical literature while employing a variety of historical methodologies and interpretive techniques. This allows students to connect literary analysis with historical inquiry, offering a unique lens for analyzing historical texts and archives. The university's reputation as a leader in research, combined with its location in New York City, allows students access to unparalleled resources and institutions for their research endeavors.

Columbia University has consistently ranked among the top institutions for graduate history programs. According to the U.S. News & World Report rankings in 2010, Columbia is ranked 7th in the nation for its graduate history programs, a testament to the university’s faculty expertise, its emphasis on historical scholarship, and its rigorous academic standards. Columbia’s history department has a long-standing tradition of producing innovative research across a wide range of specializations, including modern history, international relations, and historiographical studies. The program’s faculty are highly distinguished scholars, and students benefit from their guidance, research opportunities, and mentoring throughout their studies. Columbia University’s location in New York City provides additional advantages, such as access to important archives, libraries, and cultural institutions that support graduate research in history.

Another top institution for graduate studies in history is the University of Pennsylvania. Known for its interdisciplinary strengths and historic prestige, the University of Pennsylvania offers a Master of Arts (M.A.) in History program designed with flexibility in mind. This program allows students to pursue a variety of career goals, whether that be teaching at the community college or secondary school levels, working in journalism, or preparing for careers in archival administration. The University of Pennsylvania also offers an M.A. in World History, emphasizing global perspectives and cross-regional historical connections. This focus is ideal for students interested in exploring history from a comparative and transnational framework.

Penn's graduate history program is highly competitive and has established itself among the best in the United States. In the U.S. News & World Report rankings in 2010, the University of Pennsylvania was tied for 9th in the country with two other leading institutions: the University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA) and Johns Hopkins University. This ranking reflects the quality of Penn’s faculty, the program’s rigorous curriculum, and its long tradition of academic scholarship. The University of Pennsylvania offers students access to numerous academic resources, highly skilled professors, and a collaborative research environment. With its commitment to historical inquiry and interdisciplinary approaches, Penn prepares students for a variety of careers, including academia, teaching, administration, and research. The program's emphasis on professional development, combined with access to advanced research tools and networks, makes this an attractive option for graduate students interested in pursuing advanced studies in history.

New York University (NYU) also offers a world-class graduate program in history that serves a variety of needs and purposes. NYU’s Department of History offers graduate degrees at both the master's and doctoral levels, with programs focusing on national, comparative, and transnational fields of study. Areas of focus in the program include African history, European history, Latin American history, the Atlantic world, and other regions and thematic areas. NYU's master’s program is flexible, allowing students to either complete their M.A. degree as a terminal degree or use it as a stepping stone to pursue a doctoral degree. This flexibility allows students to tailor their graduate education to meet both personal and academic goals.

The Department of History at NYU has a reputation for excellence in both teaching and research, with faculty members specializing in diverse areas of study and innovative historiographical methods. The program has produced a large number of successful graduates, many of whom have gone on to teach at prestigious universities, including Boston College, Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Duke University, Northwestern University, Rutgers University, and other institutions. NYU’s focus on comparative and interdisciplinary scholarship ensures that students are well-equipped to engage with historical questions across geographical, cultural, and temporal boundaries. The diverse strengths of NYU’s history faculty and its location in one of the most dynamic and culturally diverse cities in the world add to the program's prestige. NYU’s program is one of the most dynamic in the United States, preparing students for careers in academia, publishing, public history, and other fields.

For students with a strong focus on ancient and medieval studies, Indiana University—Bloomington provides an exceptional opportunity to pursue graduate education in history. The university offers a specialized Master’s degree in Ancient History and Language Acquisition, which allows students to continue their historical studies while also developing strong proficiency in ancient and medieval languages. This terminal degree is particularly advantageous for students interested in pursuing advanced historical study or preparing for doctoral research in ancient history. The program provides introductory and intermediate courses in ancient and medieval languages, allowing students to immerse themselves in both linguistic and historical inquiry.

The Department of History at Indiana University is consistently regarded as one of the best history departments in the United States. According to U.S. News & World Report, the program is ranked 22nd in the country in the Graduate Schools Rankings as of 2010. This ranking reflects the strength of Indiana University’s faculty, its research opportunities, and the department’s emphasis on interdisciplinary methods. Indiana University’s Department of History combines rigorous coursework with research opportunities and mentoring by leading scholars in the field. This commitment allows students to focus on a wide variety of historical subfields while gaining the skills necessary for academic or professional careers. The university’s programs are especially well suited for students interested in combining research in ancient history with language acquisition and interdisciplinary historical methodologies.

These top universities represent some of the best opportunities for graduate students interested in pursuing a Master’s in History. Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, New York University, and Indiana University—Bloomington are among the most distinguished institutions for graduate study in history, with programs tailored to a wide variety of historical interests and career objectives. Whether students are interested in international history, ancient studies, comparative analysis, historical research, or transnational perspectives, these universities provide rigorous academic instruction, access to world-class faculty, and comprehensive research opportunities. Each institution offers distinctive programs, specialized areas of study, and advanced resources, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded and enriching graduate education. Students graduating from these prestigious institutions are well-prepared for careers in teaching, research, archival work, publishing, and other fields where advanced historical knowledge is essential.