University of San Diego

What you'll study

The programme combines intensive seminars, language and palaeography training, and supervised research. Core seminar topics cover medieval political and religious culture, the Renaissance and Reformation, early modern social and intellectual history, and approaches to cultural history such as visual, material and book history.

• Research methods and historiography — workshops on source criticism, archival practice, and theoretical approaches to cultural history.
• Language and palaeography — structured support in medieval/early modern Latin and reading practice; optional coursework or directed study in Old French, Early Modern German, Spanish or Italian depending on research needs.
• Thematic seminars — examples include Saints, Relics and Cults; Print Culture and the Public Sphere; Material Culture and Everyday Life; Courts, Ritual and Identity.
• Electives and interdisciplinary options — courses drawn from religious studies, classics, art history and literature to support cultural-historical approaches.
• Capstone — students choose between a supervised research thesis based on primary sources or a comprehensive examination with a research portfolio; many students also complete an internship or practicum with a local archive, museum or cultural organisation.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised undergraduate degree with a strong record in history or a closely related humanities discipline. Typical supporting materials include:

• Transcripts from all post‑secondary institutions attended.
• Statement of purpose outlining academic interests, proposed area of research and reasons for pursuing the programme.
• Writing sample (e.g. a course essay or chapter) that demonstrates research and analytical ability.
• Letters of recommendation (usually two or three) from academic referees.
• Curriculum vitae or résumé documenting relevant experience.

GRE scores are not typically required; applicants for whom English is not a first language must provide evidence of English proficiency through an accepted test. Candidates with limited language preparation may be admitted but are expected to undertake language study as part of their programme.

Career prospects

Graduates of the programme move into a range of paths where skills in close reading, archival research, contextual analysis and clear writing are valued. Common career trajectories include:

• Further academic study (PhD) and careers in higher education and research.
• Museum, library and archival work, including curatorial roles and collections management.
• Public history and heritage sector positions such as interpretation, conservation projects and public programming.
• Publishing, cultural journalism and editorial roles focused on historical content.
• Non‑profit, government and international organisations where historical analysis, project management and communication skills are required.
• Complementary professional pathways such as law, education and information science, where the programme’s research training supports further professional qualifications.

Why study at University of San Diego

The University of San Diego offers a close‑knit intellectual environment with small seminar sizes that foster sustained conversation and one‑on‑one mentorship. Students benefit from the university’s library special collections and access to digitised primary sources, as well as opportunities to collaborate with related departments such as religious studies, art history and classics.

Its location provides practical advantages for internships and partnerships with local museums, archives and cultural institutions in the San Diego region. Faculty tend to emphasise archival research and primary-source literacy, preparing graduates to pursue advanced research or public-facing careers that require specialist knowledge of medieval and early modern European cultures.