Graduate Experiential Learning
Do the work of history
At the University at Buffalo, graduate students do more than study the past. Whether you plan to pursue a career in academia, education, museums or public service, you will build real experience that prepares you for what comes next.
Graduate students in history learn by conducting original research and working closely with primary sources. From the first semester, you will:
- Develop research questions and engage historiography
- Analyze archival documents and other primary sources
- Present findings in seminars and conferences
- Produce sustained, original research projects
PhD students often travel for research, supported by fellowships and awards. Research trips may include short visits to archives in Washington, D.C. or extended work in international locations such as China and the United Kingdom. These experiences strengthen scholarly independence and deepen global perspective.
“For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.”
― Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics
Students in the public history concentration connect classroom learning with community engagement. Through partnerships with local museums and historical institutions in the Buffalo Niagara region, students gain hands-on experience interpreting and presenting the past for public audiences.
Past projects have included:
- Designing museum exhibits
- Developing historical site markers
- Conducting oral history interviews
- Collaborating with cultural organizations
These experiences help students translate historical scholarship into meaningful public work and build professional networks in the region.
Each spring, the Graduate History Association organizes a graduate student conference. MA and PhD students present their research, respond to questions and engage in scholarly dialogue. This experience builds a core professional skill for historians: sharing research clearly and confidently.
The department also awards conference travel funds to qualified students. These funds support professional development and help students network with scholars in their fields.
For many graduate students, a career in education is the goal. Doctoral students and some qualified MA students gain first-hand experience through teaching and grading assistantships.
Students learn how to:
- Lead undergraduate discussion sections
- Facilitate productive classroom conversations
- Design assignments and evaluate student work
- Practice effective classroom management
By teaching while completing their degrees, students build confidence and professional skills that prepare them for post-secondary education and related careers.
History is more than repeating facts. It is the practice of asking meaningful questions, interpreting evidence and communicating complex ideas with clarity. Through hands-on research, teaching and community engagement, our graduate students leave UB prepared for careers in academia, education, museums, archives and public service.
