bigtime

I think your initial list is pretty solid of history programs that you want to apply to that you wouldn't need to apply a Studies program. I've always heard mixed things about interdisciplinary programs as well. You could also look at history programs that schools also have graduate programs in African American studies, so that you could work with Professors in the history dept, as well as in the African American studies program. I think Ohio State and Northwestern would both be good schools for that. What is your goal after the Ph.D? Do you want to be a History Professor?

Those are all great programs that you have listed. You might also want to take a look at Howard University, Ohio State University, and Michigan State as well. Also, have you thought about looking at Ph.D. programs in African American Studies?

Just curious, is anyone one attending or presenting at the AHA conference in January, in Washington, D. C.?

CageFree, I'm already in a Ph.D. program, what I was saying thought I thought a 630 on the verbal at least some years back was an above average score, but I could be wrong. My understanding is that they changed how the GRE is scored now.

I haven't taken the GRE in over 5 years, but I thought a 630 V on your GRE was a pretty decent score, but I could be wrong.

My favorite historical figures are Frederick Douglass, W. E. B. Du Bois, and Thurgood Marshall.

ronwill06, it might be tough to get accepted right into a Ph.D. program, with your gpa. You might have to get into a MA program first. I've known people to get accepted right into Ph.D. programs out of undergrad, but they usually have real high gpa's. Have you presented at any conferences or anything? Also do you have any programs in mind already that you are looking to apply to?

hdunlop, thanks I'll check it out.

I'm actually in a program that falls outside of the top 50, I'm not offended at all, it's a fairly small program. I majored in American history, more specifically African American history. I think my program placement rate is pretty decent when it comes to tenure track positions, but I could be wrong. Over the years I have been in the program, I have met people who finish their PhD before me arriving. I know pretty much about everybody who have got their Ph.D. from my dept in the past 9 years or so, which is about 60 people and about 25 of them have tenure track positions. About 10 of them work in public history, and about 5 of them are full time lecturers. A few of the remaining ones have jobs in the government, and some serve as adjuncts or freelance writers. About 10 and I'm not sure exactly what they are doing now.

Thanks for the feedback, I truly appreciate that.

Oh, okay, thanks for the reply. I'm pretty new to this site and didn't know that. I'll check old topics though.

Well, I guess since nobody else wants to chime in, I will answer my own question. According to the AHA website there are around 160 schools in the United States alone that offers the phd in history. I think that is to many, and some states have to many schools that offer. Even though I doubt it would ever happen, but I think it should be some type of governing body that sets certain guidelines for a history department in order for them to offer the phd. Just like many graduate programs I think many people enter programs with a false sense of that they will have a job waiting for them when they graduate, and as of late that hasn't been the case for most. People please feel free to chime in on this and give your thoughts.

With the amount of phds earned in history, and the somewhat bleak job market, do you think there are just to many schools offering phd programs?