Thank you for your interest in the Department of History at The University of Memphis. Here’s what we can offer you.

At the undergraduate level we offer the Bachelor of Arts degree, which you may earn through attending traditional classes or through our Online Bachelor of Arts Program or a combination of both. At the graduate level we offer the Master of Arts and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. We began an online M.A. program in Spring 2011.

At both levels we have special programs that do not themselves convey degrees. Outstanding undergraduate students may participate in our Honors Program or in the University Honors Program or both. Graduate students may participate in the interdisciplinary program in Museum Studies or in an Egyptology program in cooperation with the Department of Art History (between the two departments there are five Egyptologists at The University of Memphis; only one other institution in the United States — the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago — has as many).

We do not offer courses in literally every time period, geographical area, or historical subject, but we cover most of them. Our catalog of courses for undergraduates includes nearly 100 courses. The catalog of courses for graduate students (scroll to the mid-point of this file to see the listings) has over 120. Capitalizing on the strengths of its faculty members and its geographical location, the department concentrates on five focus areas for graduate students: African-American History and Critical Race Studies; Southern History; Women, Gender, and Family History; the Interdisciplinary Program in Egyptology; and Global History.

Our full-time faculty consists of 26 members, all of whom hold doctorates. They are assisted by part-time instructors and teaching assistants and emeriti faculty who are continuing to teach in retirement. All of the part-time instructors hold master’s degrees and about half of them hold doctorates. All of the teaching assistants are doctoral candidates who already hold master’s degrees. All of the emeriti faculty hold doctorates. You can be sure you will receive high-quality instruction in any classes you take.

Advising for both undergraduate students and graduate students is done by advisors with many years of experience.

The Epsilon Nu chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the national honorary organization, admits both undergraduate students and graduate students who meet its standards. All graduate students may join the Graduate History Association and the Graduate Association for African-American History.

We invite you to get better acquainted with us. Browse through the links at the right first, starting with the FAQ. Then browse through the more general links at the left. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, check our A to Z list. Feel free also to telephone or e-mail any of the departmental contact persons. We'll be glad to help.

We have a lot to offer you. Won’t you join us?