What History Degree Programs Does UNT Offer?
The University of North Texas (UNT) Department of History offers programs at three degree levels: bachelor's, master's, and doctoral (PhD). The department states that its programs prepare students for careers in higher education, research, or public service. Which level fits you depends mainly on your career goal: the bachelor's works as a broad foundation or as preparation for graduate study, the master's adds research training and subject specialization, and the PhD is the research-intensive route normally aimed at academic or advanced research careers. Details on specific tracks, deadlines, and requirements should be confirmed on the department's official pages, since the source material describes the programs at a general level only.
Degree levels at a glance
| Level | Typical purpose | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | Broad foundation in historical study; preparation for graduate work or entry into fields like education, public service, and related areas | Students starting out, or those who want a history-based liberal arts degree |
| Master's | Advanced coursework and research training with a subject focus | Students preparing for doctoral study, teaching, research support, or public-sector work |
| Doctoral (PhD) | Research-intensive training culminating in original scholarship | Students aiming at academic careers or advanced research positions |
This table reflects the career directions the department itself names — higher education, research, and public service — rather than a ranking of the programs.
How to choose by career goal
If you want to teach or work in higher education
A PhD is the standard credential for faculty positions at universities. A master's can qualify you for some teaching roles, particularly at community colleges, but requirements vary by institution and should be checked with the employers you are targeting.
If you want to do research
The PhD is built around original research. A master's provides research training and can serve as a stepping stone, but if research is the end goal rather than a stage, the doctoral program is the direct path.
If you want to work in public service
A bachelor's or master's is generally the relevant preparation, depending on the role. History training supports work in archives, museums, government, and similar settings, though specific job requirements differ widely and are set by the hiring organizations, not the department.
If you are undecided
Start with the bachelor's program and use coursework and faculty contact to narrow your interests before committing to graduate study. This avoids investing in a graduate degree before you know which subfield or career direction you want.
Admission and application requirements
The source material does not list specific admission criteria, test scores, or deadlines for any of the three levels. Because requirements differ by program and change over time, treat them as something to verify directly rather than assume. When you check, look for:
- Application deadlines for the term you are targeting
- Required materials (transcripts, statements, writing samples, recommendations)
- Any standardized test requirements
- Prerequisites for the master's and PhD that may not apply to the bachelor's
Faculty research areas and department resources
Faculty research areas matter most at the graduate level, where your work is tied to an advisor's expertise. The department describes its programs as supporting higher education, research, and public service careers, but the source does not enumerate specific faculty specializations or resources. To evaluate fit, review the department's faculty listings and research pages directly, and identify at least two or three faculty whose areas overlap with your interests before applying to a graduate program.
Where to find official program details
Use the UNT Department of History site as the authoritative source for:
- Program descriptions and degree tracks
- Application deadlines and requirements
- Faculty research areas
- Contact information for program questions
The department's own framing — preparation for higher education, research, or public service — is the most reliable guide to what each program is designed to do. Anything beyond that, including current deadlines and admission standards, should come from the official pages rather than from summaries.