About History at UW
Rooted in the rich history of people and cultures in and around Laramie, Wyoming,
UW has been strongly resilient since 1886. Here you’ll have diverse opportunities
to explore comparative themes in social, cultural and global history, with an emphasis
on the American West in a global context. Led by an internationally recognized faculty,
UW’s master’s in history program focuses on research-informed teaching. This means
our classes are as energetic — and varied — as our research pursuits.
To help our graduate students fund their own research, graduate assistantships cover
part of or all of their tuition and fees while providing hands-on teaching experience.
If you’re interested in earning your master’s in teaching degree in history, graduate
assistantships are especially valuable for gaining experience in the classroom while
teaching core history classes to undergraduate students.
UW’s history department offers funding opportunities to support your research, teaching
and professional development. Opportunities include:
- Larson-McGee Fellowships
- History Department scholarships
- Graduate assistantships
- Research grants
Explore our wide variety of funding options to support your education and research goals.
What Can You Do With a History Master’s Degree?
A history master’s degree paves the way for careers in education, research, museums, public policy, writing and more. It builds valuable skills in analysis, communication and critical thinking—tools that are highly valued across a variety of industries.
- Historian
- History Professor or Teacher
- Museum Curator
- Archivist
- Librarian
- Research Analyst
- Policy Advisor
- Media Historical Consultant
- Cultural Resource Manager
- Genealogist
- Nonprofit or NGO Program Manager
- Government or Intelligence Analyst
- Heritage Site Manager
- Digital Humanities Specialist
100% of UW history master’s graduates who have applied to Ph.D. programs over the
past five years have been successfully placed with institutions across the country.
They have gone on to earn their doctoral degree from prestigious universities, including:
- Arizona State University
- Tulane University
- University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
- University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
- University of Wisconsin
- Ohio State University
Recently named a “Best Value for the Money” by College Factual, UW’s History M.A. program offers academic excellence, close faculty mentorship and strong career outcomes. Small classes and research opportunities make it a top choice for aspiring scholars and professionals.
Absolutely! History M.A. graduates often find rewarding careers outside academia in fields like public policy, cultural resource management, journalism, publishing and nonprofit organizations. This program helps graduates hone highly sought-after skills such as critical analysis, research, effective communication and problem-solving—qualities that employers across industries value deeply.
“My time at UW was one of the most important experiences of my life. I had the immense privilege of working with faculty and graduate students of extremely high caliber. I still keep in touch with my cohort and my mentors, and consider my time in the UW History Department to be a valuable component of my growth as a scholar and a person.”
- History M.A. Graduate