Dr. Annika Frieberg
Office: AL 576
Email: [email protected]

Adriana Putko
Office: Arts and Letters (AL) 588
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (619) 594-7119

Graduate and Research Affairs
Office: Student Services East (SSE) 1410
Phone: (619) 594-5213

Financial Aid Office
Office: Student Services West 3615
Phone: (619) 594-5253 Press 3
https://sa.sdsu.edu/financial-aid

History Department Scholarships
Professor Ben: [email protected]

For more information, visit our pages for Scholarships and Financial Support.

Graduate Student Association
Office: Student Life and Leadership, 210U
Email: [email protected]

Phi Alpha Theta (History Honors Society)
Professor Penrose:  [email protected]

During your time as a student in the MA program, there may be times when you need to ask faculty for a letter of recommendation, especially if you plan to apply to a Ph.D. program.  Faculty are generally happy to write these letters on your behalf, but it is important to take the following into consideration: 

1. Request letters only from faculty who have been your instructor for at least one course, and preferably for at least two.  Strategize your coursework so that you take courses with faculty from whom you would request a letter. If you are applying to Ph.D. programs, it is also crucial to do research ahead of time to determine which programs are best for you, and to write to faculty in those programs to tell them of your interests and intention to apply.
   
   
2. It is better to get a recommendation from faculty who would have multiple points of reference regarding your performance in the program – faculty on your thesis or exam committee, from whom you have taken classes, and/or for whom you have been a grading or teaching assistant, and classes.
   
   
3. When requesting the recommendation, be sure to ask about it as early as possible.  Give the recommender at least two weeks to prepare and submit the letter.  When you make the request, provide a printout of any and all relevant materials about the recommendation (do not send website links and ask the faculty to look them up) including:  what the letter is intended for; name and address of the person and the institution or organization to which you are applying (even if the letter is to be submitted electronically);  due date for the letter; and any instructions as to what information the letter should include. Do not request a recommendation unless you are certain that you will be applying to that institution or organization.
   
   
4. Provide your recommender with as much material about your training, goals, and accomplishments as possible, including:

1. your statement of purpose (if applicable),
2. unofficial transcripts,
3. your CV or resume, listing GPA, honors and awards, papers delivered, internship held, etc.,
4. papers you wrote for that faculty member (ideally with his/her comments),
5. a description of what you hope the faculty member will emphasize (based on interactions you had with that faculty member), and
6. any weaknesses (perhaps GRE scores or language training) you hope the recommender will address/ameliorate. Ideally, you should be copying your MA thesis/exam adviser on these exchanges.