Effective Date Effective as of August, 2025. Applicable Cohort Applicable to all cohorts. Academic Unit Overview The Department of History at the University of Georgia is a vibrant community of scholars committed to advancing historical understanding through research, teaching, and public engagement. Faculty members are nationally and internationally recognized for their contributions across a broad range of fields, and the department supports a dynamic intellectual environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. Equally renowned for its teaching, the department’s faculty have received some of the university’s highest honors for instructional excellence, and graduate students benefit from comprehensive preparation for college-level instruction that includes pedagogy courses, mentoring, and classroom experience. As a key unit within the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, the department plays an essential role in promoting the university’s mission of academic excellence and service to the public good. Through its graduate and undergraduate programs, the department cultivates critical thinking, analytical rigor, and historical literacy, preparing students to contribute meaningfully to scholarship, education, and civic life. The department also engages with wider audiences through public history initiatives, interdisciplinary partnerships, and outreach that highlights the relevance of history in understanding today’s world. Unit Goals/Mission The Department of History at the University of Georgia is committed to advancing historical scholarship and preparing graduate students for impactful careers in academia, public history, education, and beyond. The department fosters a rigorous, inclusive, and intellectually vibrant environment that emphasizes critical thinking, ethical engagement, and effective communication. Central to its mission is the cultivation of outstanding educators: graduate students receive extensive pedagogical training and mentorship, participate in a supportive community of teaching scholars, and have opportunities to teach and refine their instructional skills. Through close mentorship and access to rich archival resources, the department cultivates scholars who contribute to the understanding of diverse histories and cultures, aligning with UGA’s mission to promote academic excellence, research, and public service. How the Unit Fits into the Franklin College Housed within the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of History plays a central role in the college’s mission to provide a rigorous and relevant education, promote intellectual growth, and engage in research that improves the world. The department contributes to the college's goals by offering graduate programs that prepare students for leadership roles, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, promoting excellence in teaching, and engaging with communities to address local and global challenges. Importance of Program to University Mission As a core graduate offering within the Department of History, the program strengthens the department’s contribution to the intellectual vitality of the Franklin College and the University of Georgia. It supports the university’s mission by advancing original research, preparing thoughtful educators and scholars, and fostering a deeper understanding of the human experience across time and cultures. The department’s longstanding record of teaching excellence directly advances UGA’s goal of providing transformative learning experiences. The program encourages engagement with a wide range of historical perspectives and voices, helping students develop the ability to navigate complex ideas and communicate them with clarity and respect. In doing so, it contributes to a university-wide commitment to academic excellence, civic responsibility, and a broader understanding of our shared global past.
