* Bachelor's Degree: A bachelor's degree in history or a related field is the first step. Strong performance (high GPA) is crucial for admission to competitive graduate programs.
* Master's Degree: While not always strictly required, many doctoral programs prefer or require a Master's degree in History. This provides a foundation and allows students to demonstrate their research capabilities.
* Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.): This is the cornerstone. The Ph.D. program involves rigorous coursework, comprehensive exams covering broad historical periods and methodologies, and, most importantly, a significant original research project culminating in a dissertation. The dissertation demonstrates the candidate's ability to conduct independent, scholarly research and contribute new knowledge to the field of US History.
* Postdoctoral experience: While not always required, postdoctoral fellowships or research positions can significantly enhance a candidate's profile and competitiveness for tenure-track positions. This allows for further refinement of research skills, publication of work, and networking within the academic community.
* Publications: Publishing articles in peer-reviewed journals is vital for securing a professorship. These publications showcase the candidate's research abilities and contribution to the field.
In short, the educational path to becoming a professor of US History is a long and demanding one, requiring a deep commitment to scholarly research and a sustained record of academic achievement.