Home | CAS - Department of History

One of the best things about UAB is its amazing diversity of its students. We value every student and the richly different perspectives, characteristics, and life experiences that contribute to UAB’s unique environment. We want you to have every opportunity to succeed in your course work and college life. Here are eight easy tips for you to follow:

Into UAB students at the program's grand opening.

Are you an international student interested in studying engineering at UAB?

Explore the INTO UAB initiative

Visit the UAB International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) website. They have all sorts of forms, guides, and helpful links to make your life easier.
Don’t be shy. Let your instructors know that English is your second language.
Meet regularly with your professors. They are experts and can help!
Visit the UAB English Language Institute. They will give you assistance with both oral and written English.
Visit the UAB Writing Center. They have tutors and instructional workshops.
Consider Graduate School classes for professional development.
Make friends with fellow graduate students and work in your campus office.
Frustrated and out of options? UAB counselors are there for you.

We invite you to explore all the programs and services offered to international students. International Student and Scholar Services will be able to advise you about how to apply and who to contact for information. Please visit the ISSS website or send general questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

And remember — you are not alone! There are other international students/non-native English speakers in graduate programs across campus.

The history graduate program provides opportunities for students to learn the techniques of research and broaden their knowledge of historical literature. Students may choose Plan I, which includes writing a thesis based on original research using primary sources, or Plan II, which requires the completion of M.A. exams in three historical topics.

All students are required to enroll in HY 601 (Historiography) and HY 602 (Historical Research and Writing) and must take at least 30 hours of their course work in graduate seminars. Each student must take a minimum of 9 hours of course work in U.S. history and 9 hours in non-U.S. history.

Course Catalog

See the Graduate Catalog for an up-to-date list of course descriptions and an overview of what to expect when pursuing a Master's Degree at UAB.

Note: Students interested in Teaching Certification for Public Schools should contact the School of Education and Human Sciences.

Contact Us

For more information on our program, contact the Graduate Program director.

The Department of History offers scholarships and awards that can help graduate students with costs. From Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) to research funding opportunities there are several possibilities to help with tuition and general costs.

Department Scholarships and Awards

$15,000 Scholarship for First Year Master’s Student
The UAB Department of History offers a $15,000 scholarship to a graduate student entering the master program. This annual award helps launch a promising student on their studies and career.

Details
- Application Deadline: August 1st
- Award Process: In August, a scholarship committee will review all applications of first-year students accepted into the History Graduate Program during the current calendar year: spring, summer and fall semesters. The recipient of the award will be notified via email by the end of September.
- How to Apply: The application for admission to the master’s program serves as the basis for the scholarship committee’s selection of a winner. There is no additional application that needs to be completed.
Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs)
The Department of History offers three GTA positions every year to students who express interest and have completed at least two semesters in the program and are enrolled full time. The three positions are awarded based on the students’ performance in graduate courses.

GTAs earn $1,700 a month and work 20 hours/week in the Department of History. The position also pays half of the costs of tuition and are eligible for health care.

Details
- Application Deadline: Students do not apply. The recipient is chosen by the graduate faculty.
- Award Process: A committee of the history graduate faculty selects the recipient based on outstanding participation in the graduate program. This may include research activities, degree status, or GPA. Graduate faculty selects the three graduate teaching assistants based on graduate course performance.
- Learn more: This position is open to graduate history students. Contact the Graduate Program advisor for more information.
Sol and Rita Kimerling Endowment: Research Funding Opportunity for Undergraduate and Graduate Students
Are you currently researching or have an interest in the history of minority, ethnic, religious, racial and/or immigrant communities in Birmingham and/or the State of Alabama? The Department of History can help fund your paper or project up to $1,000 through the Sol and Rita Kimerling endowment.

Sample of eligible expenses:
- Travel to an archive for research
- Travel to a conference for the presentation of research
- Purchase of documents for research
- Milage or rental car
- Hotel stay
- Meals
Details
- Application Deadline: There is no deadline; the award process is ongoing throughout the year.
- Requirements: The recipient of this research award must present their findings in the form of a research paper, conference presentation, film, or podcast within one semester (for an undergraduate student) or two semesters (for a graduate student) after being awarded the research grant. The proposed research must occur within four months from the date of the award.
- How to Apply: This funding opportunity is open to undergraduate and graduate students. The application must be filled out to be considered for this funding.
Scholarship Application
Joseph Dudley and Helen H. Sutter Scholarship in Southern History
Graduate students in History, preferably Southern history, are eligible for the Joseph Dudley and Helen H. Sutter Scholarship of $1,000. Preference is also given to students who show promise as a teacher of history.

The recipient of this scholarship is selected by a committee chosen by the department chair. Applicants are reviewed by faculty members; the top five will be interviewed and the winner of the scholarship will be chosen from those five students.

Details
- Application Deadline: October 15 and February 15
- Requirements: This award is open to graduate history students. Students must demonstrate academic promise and earn at least 3.0 GPA prior to application. Students must also demonstrate financial need for the scholarship as determined by the UAB Office of Financial Aid.
- How to Apply: Fill out the application to be considered for this scholarship.
Scholarship Application
David Hart White Prize in History
This award honors Dr. David Hart White, a professor in the UAB History department in the 1970s, and a scholar of Spanish Florida. This prize consists of $1,500 to be awarded to a History Graduate Student. This award is open to any field of history, and it supports an outstanding history student.

Details
- How to Apply: Students do not apply for this award. The recipient will be chosen by the Department of History faculty.
- Award Process: This award is open to undergraduate and graduate history students. The recipient of this award will be notified via email by the end of February.
- Learn More: Contact Walt Ward (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
Dr. Glenn A. Feldman Memorial Student Writing Award
Once a year, the Department of History honors a student with an award for the best essay on a historical topic. The Dr. Glenn A. Feldman Award includes a cash prize of $500, and the essay will be published in the next issue of the Vulcan Historical Review.

Details
- Application Deadline: Students do not apply. The recipient of this award is chosen by the Department of History faculty.
- Award Process: This award is open to undergraduate and graduate history students. The recipient of this award will be notified via email by the end of February.
- Learn More: For more information, contact Andrew Baer (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Financial Aid

How do you plan to pay for college? It's something everyone has to think about, no matter your background or situation. Guidance Guidance on financing your education is available on the UAB Students Paying for College page.

Detailed tuition and fees information can be found on the UAB Students page.

The Department of History prides itself on the quality of research undertaken by our graduate students. Some of their recent research is listed below.