Florida International University

What you'll study

This programme combines rigorous coursework in medieval and early modern European cultural history with intensive training in source analysis and research methods. You will study core themes such as religion and society, intellectual and literary cultures, material culture and visual arts, the history of science and medicine, and processes of state formation and empire in Europe between the late antique/medieval period and the eighteenth century.

• Core seminars: historiography and research methods, advanced approaches to cultural history, and comparative modules that place Europe in Atlantic and Mediterranean contexts.
• Thematic modules: the Crusades and cross-cultural contact, medieval and Renaissance urban life, the Reformation and confessional cultures, early modern political culture, gender and family in medieval and early modern Europe.
• Skills training: palaeography and diplomatic skills, archival research, digital humanities methods for historical research, and exhibition/museum practice.
• Language training: reading competence in Latin and at least one modern European language (commonly French, German, Italian or Spanish) is expected to support engagement with primary sources.
• Research project options: students may undertake a supervised research thesis based on original source work or select a non-thesis path combining additional coursework and a comprehensive examination or capstone seminar.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold an undergraduate degree in history or a closely related discipline, with evidence of strong academic performance. Required application materials typically include official transcripts, a statement of purpose outlining research interests in medieval and early modern Europe, a writing sample demonstrating analytical ability, and academic references. International applicants will need to demonstrate proficiency in English and may be asked to provide evidence of reading knowledge in relevant modern languages or Latin if their undergraduate programme did not include such training.

Career prospects

Graduates with specialised training in medieval and early modern cultural history pursue a wide range of careers. Common pathways include:

• Further doctoral study and academic careers in history and related humanities disciplines.
• Work in museums, historic houses and archives as curators, collections managers, or archival researchers.
• Public history roles in government agencies, heritage organisations and cultural institutions, including education and outreach positions.
• Publishing, editorial work, and research positions in think-tanks or NGOs where historical expertise and research skills are valued.
• Roles in library services, conservation, and digital heritage projects that require skills in source interpretation and digital methods.

Why study at Florida International University

Florida International University offers an intellectually engaged graduate community with access to faculty whose research spans Europe, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic worlds, enabling comparative and transregional approaches to medieval and early modern cultural history. Located in Miami, FIU provides close links to major archives, museums and cultural institutions in the region, and benefits from partnerships that support internships and public history projects. The department emphasises language training, primary-source work and interdisciplinary collaboration, and students can take advantage of resources across campus, including special collections, digital scholarship centres and opportunities to work with visiting scholars and exhibition partners.