The University of California at Los Angeles provides both an undergraduate and graduate degree in history. The school was founded in 1919 and was named the second best public university in the nation by U.S. News and World Report in 2010, with the history department ranked 9th best. Students of the undergrad and graduate programs are exposed to both classroom and practical experience. Included in the curriculum are courses on ancient civilizations, cultural and religious history, as well as extensive focus on archiving and research. Students have the opportunity to work on research projects with some 70 faculty members, which include MacArthur Fellows and Pulitzer Prize winners.
The University of Pennsylvania is a private university with Ivy League status. It provides both undergraduate and graduate-level history degrees, including a Master of Science in Historic Preservation, an ideal degree for someone interested in historical research. The history program at Penn was ranked among the top ten in the country by U.S. News and World Report in 2009, and provides more than 40 full-time faculty with a variety of specialties. The program provides extensive research opportunities, including an on-campus museum and foreign-study options. Historic Preservation students have required courses in historical preservation, documentation and archival research, and work in an on-campus preservation studio. Theory emphasizes preservation planning and design, among other topics.
Students at the University of Wisconsin can choose an undergraduate, master's or Ph.D. program. Each program offers an emphasis on research and experience in the field, and includes courses in historic record preservation, ancient civilizations and religion. Students may also participate in on-campus research projects led by faculty, and upper level students must complete a senior thesis. Entry into the master's and Ph.D. programs is extremely selective, and students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and a history-related bachelor's degree from an accredited university.
The history program at University of Miami offers graduate, master's and Ph.D. level education. Once the graduate degree has been completed, students can further focus their upper-level learning toward their primary interest. The graduate level programs are extremely selective, and aim to attract top students in the field. Interested applicants must have completed their undergraduate degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher, and must provide three letters of recommendation, writing sample and their own detailed statement about their background, areas of interest and reasons for pursuing a graduate degree. Necessary courses include Historiography, a course that introduces first-year students to an overview of the history field, potential challenges and approaches to the field. Additionally, upper level seminars, field preparation and research opportunities are available.