Michigan State University

What you'll study

The programme centres on original research into medieval and early modern European cultures, broadly defined. Students develop expertise in periods ranging from late antiquity through the seventeenth century and pursue topics such as religious practice and reform, book and manuscript culture, literacy and education, intellectual history, material culture, gender and family history, visual arts, and the reception of classical texts. Methodological training emphasises archival research, palaeography, codicology, and the history of the book, alongside theoretical approaches drawn from cultural history, social history and interdisciplinary humanities.

Coursework and research milestones typically include:

• Advanced seminars on thematic and regional topics in medieval and early modern Europe.
• Language training to support primary-source work (Latin is commonly required; students often acquire reading competence in medieval/early modern French, German, Italian, Spanish or other relevant languages).
• Methods courses in historiography, archival practice, palaeography and the history of the book.
• Teaching practicum and opportunities to develop undergraduate courses or guest lectures.
• Comprehensive examinations in major and minor fields, followed by preparation and defence of an original dissertation that contributes to knowledge in cultural history.
• Opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration with departments such as Classics, Religious Studies, Art History, Comparative Literature, and Digital Humanities.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised master’s degree in history or a closely related discipline with a strong academic record. Admissions typically require:

• A substantial research proposal that demonstrates a clear focus within medieval or early modern European cultural history and an understanding of relevant primary sources and languages.
• Academic transcripts and letters of recommendation from faculty familiar with the applicant’s research potential.
• Examples of written work, such as a master's thesis or academic articles, showing ability to conduct sustained historical research.
• Demonstrable reading knowledge of Latin is usually expected; competence in one or more modern European languages relevant to the applicant’s research is strongly recommended.
• Standardised test requirements and other materials (such as GRE scores) vary; applicants should consult the department for current policy. International applicants will need to satisfy English-language proficiency requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates pursue a range of careers that make use of advanced historical training and language skills. Typical paths include:

• Academic careers: postdoctoral fellowships, tenure-track and teaching positions in history and related humanities departments.
• Museums, archives and libraries: curatorial, archival management, conservation and public-programme roles that value expertise in material culture, manuscripts and provenance research.
• Public history and heritage sectors: historic-site interpretation, cultural resource management, and consultancy for preservation projects.
• Publishing, editing and digital humanities: editorial work, research-oriented publishing, and project management for digital editions or scholarly infrastructures.
• Government, non-profit and cultural organisations: research, policy analysis, grant-writing and educational outreach roles that benefit from strong research, writing and critical-thinking skills.

Why study at Michigan State University

Michigan State University’s Department of History offers doctoral training with a balance of rigorous disciplinary methods and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students benefit from faculty whose research spans medieval and early modern Europe, and from mentorship in archival and manuscript-based scholarship. The university’s library system, including strong special collections, supports primary-source research and the preparation of dissertations grounded in original materials.

Graduate students have access to professional development resources, graduate teaching assistantships, and opportunities to teach and design courses. The campus environment fosters cross-departmental partnerships with Classics, Art History, Religious Studies and digital scholarship initiatives, enabling students to shape distinctive research profiles that combine traditional historical enquiry with material, visual and digital methodologies.