Texas Woman's University

What you'll study

The program centers on historiography and regionally focused social and political history. Admitted students choose one of the following degree options with committee approval:

• Thesis
• Professional paper
• Public history
• Graduate Certificate Program in Political Science

For detailed degree and course requirements, students are directed to the TWU Graduate Catalog, the program's degree plan, the History Graduate Handbook, and the course rotation schedule.

Entry requirements

Admission is on a rolling basis (no fixed deadlines). Minimum stated requirements include a bachelor's degree, a minimum 3.25 GPA on the last 60 semester credit hours, and at least 12 semester credit hours of upper-division undergraduate or graduate work in the major field. Applicants must submit a writing sample (a college paper in any subject plus a one-page personal statement), a curriculum vitae, and contact information (email and phone) for three referees so that letters of recommendation can be requested through the application.

Additional application steps include submitting official transcripts for all institutions attended (domestic applicants) and, for international applicants, an evaluation by a NACES or AICE member service (international transcripts should not be sent directly to TWU). An application fee applies ($50 domestic, $75 international); certain fee waivers (e.g., McNair Scholar, Alumni Advantage) may be available. Applicants who do not meet prerequisites may, in exceptional cases, be recommended for provisional admission. Students seeking graduate assistantships must meet the General Criteria for Appointment of Graduate Assistants.

Program contact: Christina Bejarano, PhD (cbejarano@twu.edu; 940-898-2255).

Career prospects

Graduates gain advanced skills in historical research, writing, and historiographical analysis applicable to careers that value those competencies. The program’s public history option and the professional paper pathway support work in museums, archives, public programs, cultural organizations, and roles that require applied historical expertise; the thesis route can prepare students for doctoral study or research-focused positions. The graduate certificate in political science provides interdisciplinary preparation for roles that intersect history and policy or political analysis.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Applicants should review TWU graduate funding resources. The program notes that graduate assistantships are available to students who meet general appointment criteria. Application fee waivers are mentioned for eligible McNair Scholars and some TWU alumni; students should consult Graduate Admissions and the program office for other scholarship, assistantship, or fee-waiver opportunities.