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TMP and telkanuru always have the best and most pertinent advice! Thanks to both of them and all of the other current PhD students for taking time to post on this forum. When I was applying to grad programs last year, I, too, was frustrated by the lack of information regarding placements from the different schools. Most of the information (the AHA's most comprehensive data is very dated) and I was warned to be very specific when asking about the TYPE of academic placements that recent graduates had secured. Some schools will count any position- part time, adjunct, short term etc. as evidence of their ability to place their graduates in teaching positions. That isn't deceitful necessarily, but students applying need to be very aware of what outcomes could occur. I found these two articles recently that were very interesting. (one discusses what was shared with me by one of my UG profs) https://www.historians.org/publications-and-directories/perspectives-on-history/february-2016/the-troubled-academic-job-market-for-history https://theihs.org/blog/how-to-understand-your-phd-programs-job-placement-rates/ This one from the Chronicle of Higher Education speaks to (even though it is based on small - one year- data) the higher percentage of jobs being filled by those ABD's and recent PhD graduates: http://www.chronicle.com/article/On-the-Academic-Job-Market/233683 When I was interviewing at Notre Dame, all on the interview committee were very forthcoming about the current academic hiring climate and the recent placements from their department. As one who tends to see the glass half full, it was important for me to hear their honesty. I was impressed by their transparency and candor. Subsequently, I have been digging deeper into the current placement/hiring trends in order to make decisions about possible career paths. I'm not ruling out trying to become a professor; (I wasn't set on that being my ultimate career goal to begin with) but compiling advice given by those on this forum, talking at length to trusted former professors, and taking time to critically read articles such as the ones listed above, I feel I am more aware and knowledgeable about my future path and prospects. There is so much to consider when starting this journey! It is a bit overwhelming at times, but I do believe it all works itself out in the end! Best of luck to everyone this year!

We sound so very much alike in our interests! I think you need to identify a couple of things. I went through very much of the same thought process in trying to determine my best path after graduating as well. There are some very well-informed members on this forum that will hopefully add to what I have found out, but here is what I learned after researching, talking to and emailing many professionals in the fields you identified. Getting a PhD in Art and Architectural History with the outcome being a art historian professor with a TT position is really tough. Many of the PhD's (and these are people who have graduated from some of the top programs in the US) are facing working as adjuncts- usually teaching multiple classes at neighboring colleges and universities. They are working to make ends meet, but do not receive health insurance. As far as an MA in Architectural History in the south and southeast, Texas and UVA have very good programs. In terms of the HP programs, they are varied in they type of curriculum they focus on. The NCPE has a great website that offers a breakdown of the schools offering a MA in HP (and related programs) as well as their strengths. I don't know if you have seen it or not, but here is the link. It will be really important for you to kind of determine what type of career you see yourself in with regards to Historic Preservation. It is a very broad discipline and picking the right program will help you be content with what you are learning as well as help you get to where you want to be in a career. http://www.ncpe.us/#.VHfCL0vZVg0 In light of your wanting to stay in the SE I would say look at UGA, and UFL. Clemson also has a HP Master's, but if you look through this link from 4 years ago, there are some negative comments about it. Regarding funding... there is not a lot of hope for major funding for master's degrees and this goes for Architectural History and HP. If you are a very competitive applicant, you may be offered some funding for an HP Master's, but often times it will be for your second year of studies. There may be some tuition remittance, but for the programs I looked into even getting 50% off was formidable with the OOS cost of attendance and living costs. UGA is a part of the Academic Common Market for states in the southeast, which means that you can attend their program as an in-state student if you are a resident of one of the participating states. Here is the link to that site: http://www.schev.edu/index/tuition-aid/academic-common-market I suggest you go to the Results tab on thegradcafe's homepage. In the search box type the terms "Historic Preservation" and "Art and Architectural History" or "Architectural History". You will see over the last few years the breakdown of people who were accepted to where and how much FA award they received. It is a great tool. Anyway, I hope this helps some! Good luck with your search and don't get discouraged. Knowledge is power and you are wise to be thinking about this before you apply!

Just adding on to what emhafe suggested. Even though they were not in singular history field, I applied to several MA programs (two in the UK) and 2 PhD programs. After all the acceptances/waitlists/denials came through, I was trying to decide whether to take on any debt in order to obtain a masters. I ultimately decided that wouldn't be wise for me (I already will have some undergrad loans to pay back) . I was thrilled to be accepted in a fairly new MA program in Material Culture and Public Humanities at Virginia Tech. I received full funding (over 17K per year - including all fees- and a TA position) . I feel very fortunate to be able to be a part of this program and carve out my path. It is a cross-disciplinary program and the professors with whom I have spoken seem to be very supportive and encouraging. They really want to grow this masters and make it into being something special. I don't know about the funding for a MA in History at VT, but you could definitely check it out. The history department is amazing there.

Thanks for your response rising_star and anxietygirl! As someone very new to all of this, I guess I am a bit confused. I thought it was important to find a program who had at least one professor that lined up with my interests, regardless of whether it was a master's or a PhD program. Are you saying that I do not need to be as concerned with a fit of a faculty member as I thought? That would be very helpful because the nature of my research/interest spreads across several fields and I am having a difficult time finding many who align well...... BTW are there more funded master's that could be included to these lists from other posts on thegradcafe" Art History: Williams Tulane Penn State Syracuse Hunter Nebraska-Lincoln In History: 0 UW-Milwaukee, BGSU (Ohio), U of Akron (Ohio), Kent State (Ohio), Vermont thanks to Katzenmusik (2013) these: thanks Katzenmusik Auburn University: MA students eligible for full funding Case Western Reserve University: some MA fellowships through the Julia Edwards Fund, program seems to try to provide tuition waivers as well Florida International University: MA students eligible for assistantships; limited number of tuition waivers also available Georgia State University: MA students eligible for assistantships Indiana University - Bloomington: they "provide multiyear financial support for the vast majority of students admitted at the MA and PhD levels." Iowa State University: MA students eligible for assistantships Kent State University: MA students eligible for full funding Miami University (Ohio): full funding for MA students. No PhD program. Northeastern University: some partial tuition waivers available Northern Illinois University: MA students eligible for funding Ohio University: full funding for MA students Oklahoma State University: MA students eligible for full funding Portland State University: full funding awarded to a number of MA students. No PhD program. Southern Illinois University - Carbondale: "Approximately 60% of our MA and PhD students receive some form of funding." St. Louis University: assistantships available to MA students Texas Tech University: MA students eligible for full funding University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa: full funding available to MA students, limited number University of Cincinnati: tuition waivers (80% - 100%) offered to most MA students, assistantships awarded competitively University of Delaware: MA students eligible for full funding University of Hawaii - Manoa: MA students eligible for full funding University of Houston: MA students eligible for assistantships - also a public history fellowship University of Maine - Orono: MA students eligible for full funding University of Massachusetts - Amherst: full funding for select MA students, merit-based University of Mississippi: full funding awarded to a few, based on merit, as well as some scholarships for unrepresented minorities University of New Hampshire: MA students eligible for funding University of Oregon: full funding available to MAs, awarded on competitive basis University of Rochester: half-tuition scholarships available to MA students University of South Carolina: full funding available to "many" MA students University of Utah: MA students focusing on the American West eligible for the May Fellowship. Possibly other full funding available to MA's (?). Washington State University: MA students eligible for assistantships, awarded competitively Western Michigan University: MA students eligible for assistantships Anxietygirl, I have looked at WM as a possibility. The only downside (or I guess upside depending on how you look at it!) is that it is a one year program. I've read on here that some people do not think that is enough time to engage in serious research/preparation. I am trying to acquire language prep in undergrad, and will be doing a two semester Honors Research Thesis....trying like crazy to be competitive for admission somewhere, but like you said, it is very humbling to know that it could be for naught at some places. I definitely have no problem going to a place that fits me, but may not be a top level program. Financial support is going to trump prestige in my situation. Again, thanks for everyone's support and advice!

As I begin to look seriously into the next step after my undergraduate program, I would like to be realistic not only with where I apply, but also get an idea of the potential outcomes. As I wrote in my other recent post, I am looking at several paths and trying to find POIs that would line up with what I would like to research. The problem is, some of the schools that have a suitable mentor only offer a PhD program. Even with stellar stats, many people on the results board of thegradcafe have been rejected at these schools. Is it highly unlikely to gain admittance to one of the better known History or Art History PhD programs if you don't have a master's in hand? I am not in the financial position to fund a master's program fully, but I am having a hard time finding funded master's at schools that would offer a match for me in terms of area of focus and a POI. The master's programs that I think would be an awesome fit, (Duke, Boston U. to name two) do not offer funding for their master's students. Have any of you found success in finding outside funding for master's programs? I guess I need to start researching that next! After searching thegradcafe, there was a list of potential funded master's programs that was posted a couple of years ago. I found two schools, Indiana and Delaware, that supposedly offer funded master's. Indiana in particular has a prof that would be a good match for me. So, I guess the thing to do is just apply to all and see what happens! Thanks for listening and for any advice!

Thanks so much for taking time to respond with your advice. I really appreciate it! I am going to use Duolingo asap! I vaguely remember my first semester prof speaking of that site, but I didn't pay much mind to it...now I will! At the moment I don't think I am going to need a second language; if I go the straight History graduate school route, I will concentrate on British and/or Colonial American history. Do any of you know of schools in the US that have professors with either of those specialties AND an interest in architecture? My research interest is in the transatlantic influence of architectural/building practices from the UK to Colonial America and preservation/conservation of these properties. I have identified Notre Dame and possibly Michigan. I realize that the selectivity of each one of those is incredibly hard, and it seems that the majority of their admits (I think I read like 80% on UM's website) already have a MA in hand. If you have any other suggestions, I would love to hear about them. I am looking at Architectural History programs, HP programs, possibly archaeology and of course, history, both here and in the UK. Thanks everyone!

Hello, My first post, but probably one of many as I begin this journey into the graduate school application world! I have a few questions concerning becoming reading proficient in a foreign language, and especially need advice with a current language situation I am encountering this semester. I apologize for the long first post! Thank you for your patience. In reading about what to do to prepare one's self and be a competitive applicant for some of the top grad history programs ( I am looking at Michigan and ND), I learned from this site and others that if a student could take foreign language classes in UG, it would not only look good on a transcript at application time, but may also help that student if they were accepted to the programs because they would be a bit ahead in terms of having a reading proficiency in a spoken language. So, at the start of my junior year this year, I took French I as an elective. I did well (earning an A) and now I am in French II. While I am doing ok at the moment, my ability to understand the oral portions of class is becoming increasingly difficult. I have a severe hearing disability (wear a hearing device) and use lip reading to help with my oral understanding. I was able to understand my professor last semester fairly well, but this semester I am really struggling. It is so frustrating because I am studying for this class A LOT. It isn't that I am unprepared. I have met with my professor and she has been very accommodating, but this may be an obstacle that I can't overcome, especially in a semester class type setting. My problem is I don't want this class, which I am taking really as a way to make myself a better graduate school applicant, to hurt my graduate school chances because it hurts my GPA. I have a 3.9 GPA right now. I was told by my advisor to possibly investigate the Pass/Fail option. I have never done that before and don't if it is a good option for me. If the remaining grades in the course did not hinge so much on oral examinations, I would be fine and feel that I would be able to get an A or B, but with the difficulty I am having in the listening/oral sections, I don't know and it is causing great concern. I have a week before the paperwork would need to be submitted for the change to Pass/Fail. What do you all think? Is taking this semester's class P/F after taking last semester A-F going to look odd? I thought I was going to take two years of French before going to grad school, but I think I may have really underestimated how hard it is to listen to this language. If you have any advice for me, I would really appreciate it!