Source Materials
Primary sources are available from the West Virginia and Regional History Collection. It represents the most important corpus of primary source materials for historical research at the university. The holdings consist of approximately 3,200 collections of archives including manuscripts, imprints, broadsides, photographs, and sound recordings. Materials on the Civil War, political developments, education, religion, literature, law, labor, and coal mining can serve as the basis for advanced research on the state and the region.
The West Virginia University libraries contain more than a million volumes, 4.5 million archival documents and almost three million microfilms. Particularly strong collections for historical research include Africa, the United States, British Isles, and France, while a concerted effort is underway to improve holdings related to the history of Central and Eastern Europe.
Financial Support
The Department is able to support a significant number of graduate students through the following competitive assistantships, fellowships and awards.
Graduate Teaching Assistantships
The Department supports a number of Graduate Teaching Assistantships, the stipend for which in 2024-2025 is $18,500.00 plus a University tuition waiver. Normally, Graduate Teaching Assistantships are awarded to incoming doctoral students, and are renewable upon satisfactory performance for three years. All Ph.D. students accepted into the program will be automatically considered for an Assistantship, and do not need to apply separately for one. Occasionally, an outstanding M.A. student may be considered for a one semester or one year, non-renewable Assistantship, if one becomes available. The History department also often hires students in their fifth and possibly sixth year as lecturers. Appointment as a lecturer is dependent upon a student’s academic progress, teaching effectiveness, and availability of department funds. Students are not normally funded beyond six years.
Doctoral Research Support Fund
Doctoral students are eligible for a doctoral research support award of up to $750. This one-time award can be used to support travel to present at a professional conference or conduct research at an archive. If a library offers scanning services of its collections, students may also apply this award to fund those expenses. To be considered for this award, please submit a two-page, double-spaced letter describing your project, its importance to the completion of your degree requirements, and an itemized budget. The application requires a letter of support from your faculty advisor (an email is fine). Applications are due on the first of each month and at least three weeks before the start of the activity. If your travel plans require reserving a flight, please consider submitting four to five weeks in advance. This will allow for more advantageous airfares. Please submit your application to Dr. Phillips and Dr. Staples. Students who receive an award must submit a post-award report to Dr. Phillips within thirty days of using their funding.
Eberly Academic Enrichment Program
Master’s students are eligible for an academic enrichment award of up to $750 from Eberly College. This award can be used to support travel to present at a professional conference or conduct research at an archive. The application requires a letter of support from your faculty advisor, and here’s the Faculty Recommendation Form link for them. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and are due at least three weeks before the start of the activity. Students who receive an award must submit documentation to confirm the activity to the department’s administrative assistant, Sydney Pringle, within two weeks of the activity’s conclusion. More details about this opportunity and the application forms can be found on the Eberly College Academic Enrichment Program webpage.
Department of History Dissertation Research Fellowship
Advanced Ph.D. graduate students who have completed their comprehensive examinations and a dissertation prospectus are encouraged to apply for the Department of History’s Dissertation Research Fellowship. The Fellowship is normally granted for the summer to foster research in archives and libraries that is critical to the completion of the dissertation. The amount of the award is no more than $6000 and can be used for travel (including per diem), materials and supplies. Students are expected to devote themselves full time to their research and necessary travel. Application materials must include:
- a five page, double-spaced cover letter with a description of your project and its significance, the archives/materials you plan to consult, and your progress to date;
- letter of support from faculty advisor;
- detailed budget based on the needs of the project and itinerary of expected research/travel expenses.
Department of History Doctoral Mini-Grant Award
Doctoral students who have not yet defended their dissertation prospectus are encouraged to apply for the Department of History’s Mini-Grant Award (advanced doctoral students should apply for the Dissertation Fellowship Award). The Mini-Grant Award is to foster research that will help students write their dissertation. The stipend is no more than $2000 and is normally granted during the summer, if funds are available. To be considered for this award, please submit a two page, double-spaced letter with a description of your project and a detailed statement of how the funds will be used to the Director of Graduate Studies. The application deadline is April 1. Decisions will be made by April 30. Priority will be given to students who have not previously received this award. Students who receive the Mini-Grant Award must complete a post-award statement of progress by April 1 of the following year.
WVU Foundation Distinguished Doctoral Scholarships
The WVU Foundation Distinguished Doctoral Scholarships were established in recognition of the WVU Foundation’s 50th Anniversary. Four or more awards of $5000 each are awarded yearly to doctoral students who have been admitted to doctoral candidacy and are working on their dissertations. Scholarships can be used to defray educational and research costs, including travel. Applications and additional information are available here: WVU Foundation Distinguished Doctoral Scholarships.
Carl Del Signore Foundation Graduate Scholarships
The Carl Del Signore Foundation Graduate Scholarships provides $1500 scholarships per year to support graduate students who are engaged in research activities leading to a research-focused master’s degree. Students who have proposed a master’s thesis are eligible to apply for these fellowships. Applications and additional information are available here: Carl del Signore Foundation Graduate Scholarships.
Merit University Tuitions Waivers
The Department receives an allocation of University tuition waivers to be distributed each semester on the basis of merit and faculty recommendations. One merit hour covers one credit of University tuition.
Academic Advising Center Assistantships
Students receive University tuition waivers. Direct inquiries to the University Advising Center, P.O. Box 6212. Phone (304) 293-5805.
Housing & Residence Life Resident Assistantships
Students receive a stipend of $200 per month plus room and board, and University tuition waivers. Direct inquiries to Housing & Residences Life, G106 Bennett Tower, P.O. Box 6430. Phone (304)293-4686.
The Office of Graduate Education & Life (OGEL) Summer Humanities Internship Program
Doctoral students in History and English may apply to this internship program to develop transferable skills for career paths inside and outside academia. This program provides competitive funding for three to four doctoral students in History to gain experience in publishing, nonprofit organizations, federal & state government agencies, museums, community historical groups, and other institutions that will support students' ability to apply research skills to new areas of inquiry. Students who receive funding for an internship will be expected to work 240 hours and are required to enroll in at least one credit (the Office of Graduate Education and Life provides a tuition waiver). The Department of History will send out a CFP no later than February and typically sets a deadline of April 1st to apply. For more information visit: Graduate Education Humanities Summer Internships.