Fast Facts
We’ve worked hard to create a department that is a top tier place to learn, grow, and achieve. As a result, we’re credited with some unique and impressive statistics.
- A community of world-renowned scholars and talented students, located in Vanderbilt’s College of Arts and Science
- Ranked #23 in history graduate programs in the country by US News and World Report (2016)
- More than 150 undergraduate history majors; 26 undergraduate history minors
- Total Vanderbilt history majors have grown 64% since 2016 and history minors have doubled
- 40 full-time faculty with areas of focus around the globe: U.S., Europe, Latin America and Caribbean, Middle East, Asia, Africa
- More than 139 faculty monographs published; over 74 book awards; books published in 17 languages
- 97 teaching and service awards
- Student to faculty ratio of 3:1
Affiliated Programs
The history department holds strong relationships with many departments and centers on campus, as well as various external organizations. Below is a list of those partners:
Vanderbilt departments and centers:
- American Studies
- Asian Studies
- Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies
- Classical & Mediterranean Studies
- Communication of Science and Technology
- Digital Humanities Center
- Gender and Sexuality Studies
- Jewish Studies
- Max Kade Center for European and German Studies
- Medicine, Health, & Society
- Robert Penn Warren Center for the Humanities
External Partners
FAQs
General
How do I contact a specific faculty member?
See the full list of the history department faculty and their contact information.
Undergraduate Program
Who is the Director of Undergraduate Studies?
Please see our list of administration.
How do I declare a major in history?
Please see the instructions to declare a major.
When does registration start?
For registration dates, please refer to the Enrollment Bulletin.
Whom should I contact about a course-specific and/or major question?
Please first reach out to your adviser. If you do not yet have an advisor, please reach out to the Director of Undergraduate Studies. See a list of history faculty and a list of the department’s administration.
How do I join the Honors Program in history?
Read more about the History Honors Program.
Where can I learn about the Immersion requirements?
Please visit the university’s Immersion website. For Immersion questions specifically related to the history major, please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Whom should I contact with a question about transfer credit?
Please review the University Registrar’s transfer credit policies and process.
How do I enroll in independent study?
To enroll in an independent study course, please complete the following steps:
- Obtain permission to enroll from the instructor of your choice. Consult the instructor and Director of Undergraduate Studies prior to the opening of your enrollment window for the semester in which you wish to complete the independent study course.
- Complete the Request for Registration in Independent/Directed Study Course form. The form requires details regarding the nature of the project and the amount of credit to be earned. The form must be signed by your instructor and the DUS or Department Chair prior to the tenth day of classes.
- Submit the form to history@vanderbilt.edu before the end of the change period (the first week of classes). You will then be manually registered for the course in YES.
Graduate Program
Who is the Director of Graduate Studies?
Please see a list of the history department’s administration.
I am a prospective student and have a question regarding my application to the history graduate program. Whom should I contact?
Please reach out to historygraduatestudies@vanderbilt.edu or the Director of Graduate Studies.