Why History @ Memorial?

Memorial University offers unique opportunities for the study of history. As the home of the Maritime History Archive, the Folklore and Language Archive, the Centre of Newfoundland Studies, and several other research collections, the St. John's campus supports innovative and interdisciplinary research. Our faculty are engaged in research in a wide range of topics in fields such as environmental history, social history, cultural history, military history, and many others, and supervise graduate studies covering periods from the ancient world to the twenty-first century, and regions across the globe.

Description of programs

• Graduate diploma - Disciplinary graduate diplomas provide an opportunity to acquire additional academic credentials at the graduate level without committing to a full master’s program. These programs allow students to expand on their knowledge of a particular discipline and may also be used for professional development within their careers.
  
  
• MA – The MA program is designed to be completed in 12 months, and normally consists of four semester courses and a major research paper, or, a more rigorous option, of three semester courses and a thesis. Though most MA students have chosen to concentrate on Canadian or Newfoundland history, the Department welcomes students interested in aspects of United States, British, and European history. More details on these areas below. Faculty also have expertise in thematic areas such as maritime, environmental, medical, labour, military, media, and gender history.
  
  
• PhD – All subject areas are open to doctoral candidates, provided that a Supervisory Committee (usually 3 members) and an examination committee (2 members from Memorial University plus 1 member external to Memorial) with suitable expertise to assess the dissertation can be established. Students complete two courses, a French language examination, and three reading fields before the comprehensive examination. A dissertation based on original research follows the formal presentation of a thesis proposal to the Department.

Contact a faculty supervisor

Graduate applicants interested in research-based programs are strongly encouraged to connect with a faculty supervisor at the time of application. Visit the Department of History website for areas for a list of faculty members, their research interests, and contact information. You may also use the Yaffle search application to find a supervisor you may wish to work with.

The School of Graduate Studies offers advice on how to search for and contact potential supervisors. Need more help? Try attending one of our webinars and information sessions for prospective graduate students.

Minimum admission requirements

• Graduate diploma, MA – Bachelor's degree (minimum second class) in an appropriate area of study

• PhD – Master's degree in an appropriate area of study

Potential career options and outcomes

Education (primary, secondary, post-secondary), government, archives, museum or heritage sector, private research, journalism, law

Graduate student and alumni profiles

Our graduate students come from all parts of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, and the world. View the student profile below to learn more about what they do and why they chose Memorial.

 Note: All figures are in Canadian dollars and subject to change. Fees are approved by the University’s Board of Regents. In the event of a discrepancy between the fees approved by the Board and those published on this website, the fees approved by the Board will prevail. Financial policies are enforced through the Department of Financial and Administrative Services. For the complete and official list of all fees and charges, visit www.mun.ca/finance/fees/.