Institutional Structure

As a graduate student at the University of Southern California, you enter an established institutional structure.  Understanding that structure and learning how to navigate it successfully will ease your path toward the doctorate.  Consider the following units:

Department Organization – The basic unit of this structure is the History Department.  In order to explain your multifaceted relationship to your department, this site provides overviews from two different perspectives: 

• Formal Structure – Here you will find a basic explanation of the main officers, offices, and committees within the department.

• The Student-Department Relationship – Here you will find a more topical or problem-solving approach to the department, highlighting many of the ways in which you will interact with the department structure.

The Institutes – Several specialized institutes connect the department with other organizations and additional resources.  Many provide lectures, seminars, workshops, and funding opportunities.

The College – The History Department is part of the College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences.  The College sets policies regarding TAships, provides merit fellowships, and occasionally offers other funding opportunities.

The Graduate School – As a graduate student in the History Department you are also a member of the Graduate School at USC.  Most of your interaction with the university will take place with the Graduate School.  The Graduate School oversees and coordinates various fellowship opportunities, provides the necessary forms for advancement, oversees the process of dissertation submission, and provides other resources.  For more information about how the Graduate School can be of assistance, see their website.

Back To: Handbook Home Page