The Department of History

IN THIS SECTION

Application Process

Academic Program

Finances

FAQs

Please note: The History Department does not have an admissions brochure or paper applications to send. If the answer to your question cannot be found in our FAQs, please contact the department's Graduate Affairs Administrator, who will be happy to discuss any aspect of the admissions process.

Application Process

When is the application deadline?

Online applications must be completed by December 10. All supplementary materials must also be received by the Dean of Students' office by this time. Please allow more time for materials to reach the Division if you live outside the United States. After you submit the electronic application, you canlogin to see if supplemental materials have arrived.

How do I obtain an application? How much does it cost to apply?

Applications are available online at http://grad-application.uchicago.edu starting in early Autumn for the following academic year. Paper applications are no longer available. The application processing fee for 2011 is $65. The fee will be waived for all applications where the online portion is submitted before November 15, 2011.

What are the requirements for admission?

Requirements for admission are the degree of Bachelor of Arts or its equivalent, a distinguished academic record, and high competence in the foreign language(s) relevant for the particular field. (If you will do language study between the time of the application and the start of the PhD program, please note this in your statement of purpose.) We do not have a minimum required GPA, but a strong GPA is helpful in our competitive admissions process. GRE scores are required. We do not have a minimum or recommended GRE score, but our accepted students generally score well on all sections. Every application is read in its entirety by at least two faculty members. .

All applications must include:

• Online application
• Application fee
• Official copy of your most up-to-date transcript from each institution you attended
• Three confidential letters of recommendation (instructions available in the application)
• Writing Sample. Please send your best complete writing sample, regardless of length. (Samples may be longer than the 25 page SSD limit)
• Statement of Academic Purpose, discussing academic and career objectives
• GRE score report (please include photocopy in packet if scores are being sent directly from ETS)
• TOEFL/IELTS score report for international applicants (please include photocopy in packet if scores being sent directly from ETS)
• Supplemental form (available as a PDF document in the application)

Supplementary required materials should be mailed to:

University of Chicago
Division of Social Sciences
Office of Admissions
1130 E. 59th St., Room 105
Chicago, IL 60637

Phone: (773) 702-8415
Email: admissions@ssd.uchicago.edu

After you submit the electronic application, you can login to the application to see if supplemental materials have arrived.

Is the GRE required? Will you accept the old (prior to August 2011) GRE?

The GRE is required for ALL applicants. (The History subject test is not required.) Scores from either the new GRE or the old GRE will be accepted as long as they are not older than 5 years. It is advisable to take the GRE no later than October to ensure that scores will arrive on time. Please include a photocopy of your GRE scores with your application. Official scores must be received from ETS.

For more information on the GRE, visit their website at http://www.gre.org. You may also call ETS at 609-771-7670.

What is the GRE code for the History Department?

The codes required to have your report sent to the Division of Social Sciences
institution: 1832
department: 2299 "Social Sciences - Other"

Is there a minimum GRE score? What are typical GRE scores of admitted students?

While the GRE scores are required, they are not the most important part of your application. An otherwise strong application can overcome weak GRE scores, although strong GRE scores can certainly help in our competitive admissions process. Of the students we accepted for 2011 admission, the mean scores were: 4.8 analytical/ 638 quantitative/ 657 verbal. These scores will not guarantee admission, and lower scores will not prohibit admission.

How will the new GRE be compared with old GRE scores?

The GRE will publish equilency tables in late 2011. The Department will use these tables when needed to compare scores. Percentile ranges are the easiest comparison. Faculty often use percentiles rather than raw score, so the comparison based on percentile range will still be used.

Is the TOEFL required for foreign students? Can I have the requirement waived?

Please see the requirements from the Admissions Office on Englsh Language. http://socialsciences.uchicago.edu/prospective/admissions/admissions-application.shtml#testint

The requirements must be met in order for yoru application to be valid. We cannot waive TOEFL or IELTS scores.

My TOEFL or IELTS score is below the required score. Will my application be considered?

Applications with low TOEFL or IELTS scores will be considered, but it may significantly harm your opportunity for admission. It is suggested that you retake the test and meet the required scores before applying.

May I apply for an MA degree or only for a PhD? Will a previous MA help or hurt my admission chances?

The Department of History admits students only to the PhD program. Although we do award Master of Arts degrees to students studying for the PhD, we do not have a stand-alone MA program. If you are interested in studying for the MA degree, please consider the Master of Arts Program in the Social Sciences (MAPSS). The MAPSS program will allow you to take history coursework and work with history faculty.

An MA in History is not required for admission to our program. Students who do not have a previous MA can earn the MA while studying for the PhD. A previous MA may not significantly help or hurt your chances of admission. However, if your BA is not in History, or if your undergraduate academic record is weak, you might want to consider studying for an MA in History elsewhere, and then applying for the PhD program at the University of Chicago. A proven track record in a history graduate program can demonstrate that you are a strong applicant, despite problems in your undergraduate record.

Students who enter our PhD program with a previous MA (or other previous graduate degree) can petition to waive some or all of their second-year coursework in our program.

What is the most important part of the application?

Four parts of the application are critically important: 1) your academic record; 2) letters of recommendation submitted by persons able to describe your achievements and promise; 3) a significant example of your work (B.A. essay, M.A. thesis, research or course paper); and 4) the statement of purpose, which describes the intellectual issues and historical subjects to be explored at the University of Chicago. The Department of History considers the writing sample the most important part of your application.

When composing the statement of purpose, it is important to be as specific as possible in describing research interests, including area, period, and topic or approach, and faculty members with whom you might wish to work. Although many graduate students change their focus in the course of their studies, it is helpful to have the clearest possible idea of your interests and any research experience to date.

What sort of writing sample should I send?

The Department of History considers the writing sample the most important part of your application. Please select a sample that you consider to be your best work. It should be self-contained, that is, includes a beginning, a middle and an end of an argument. Generally, 25 double-spaced pages (including footnotes) is sufficient, but do not feel bound by length should your best paper is longer. If possible, the work should be a piece of original research and in the specific field of history you hope to study at Chicago. The writing sample must include your name and the class/publication for which it was created and should be written in English.

Please do not send bound or spiraled volumes or material you wish returned. All extraneous material will be removed before review such as folders, dividers, coil spirals, etc. Do not send material for your writing sample in media other than paper (no tapes, cassettes, CDs, etc). Submitted writing samples that do not meet these criteria may not be reviewed.

We do not accept faxed copies or email attachments of writing samples.

Please be advised that once final decisions have been made, all writing samples are destroyed.

How will I know that my supplemental materials have arrived?

After you submit the electronic application, you will be able to login to your application account to check which of your supplemental materials have arrived.

Do I need to interview? May I visit campus?

Although an on-campus interview is not required for admission to graduate studies at the University of Chicago, you are welcome to visit. David Goodwine, our program coordinator, can help arrange meetings with faculty in your areas of interest as well as informal conversations with some of our graduate students. Please give David two-weeks notice of your visit. The ideal time to arrange a visit is during our autumn quarter (October and November). We also offer an open house for newly admitted students. History Day, as it is called, is usually held in March.

How difficult is it to get in?

The Department of History is highly selective. Every year, we decline more qualified applicants each year than we have the resources to accept. We received over 400 applications for admission in 2009 and accepted an incoming class of 17, all of whom receive some kind of financial aid.

When will I hear if I have been accepted?

Final decisions are sent during the first two weeks of March to the address you provide on your application. If you are accepted, your letter will include a detailed description of your financial award. Please do not call or write regarding the status of your application. We are not able to release information regarding acceptance or aid by telephone or email.

What is my response deadline to an offer of admission?

You have until April 15 to decide whether to accept or decline our offer of admission. Please note that in accordance with a resolution of the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States, you have until April 15 to decide whether to accept any financial aid award by any institution. You may also decline an offer that you have previously accepted anytime until April 15 without penalty. This resolution protects your right to choose the best offer. We do ask that you reply as soon as your decision is final. If you decline our offer, we may be able to extend an offer to another candidate.

May I defer admission?

Admission is granted only for the year specified in the application and may not be deferred to another year, although applications may be reactivated without charge by writing to the Dean of Students of Social Sciences. Reactivated applications are judged in competition with new applications for admission, and any offer of financial aid is not held in reserve from year to year.

Academic Program

May I start my program in Winter or Spring quarter?

We admit students for matriculation in Fall quarter only. Winter and Spring starts are not permitted.

May I transfer credits from another program?

No. Academic work towards a degree in the History Department must be completed at the University of Chicago. However, students who enter our PhD program with a previous MA (or other previous graduate degree) can petition to waive up to a year of coursework in our program. (Waived coursework applies to the second-year.)

Does the History Department offer night or weekend coursework?

Most of our graduate courses are offered during normal business hours on weekdays between September and June. Occasional courses may be offered in the evenings, but it is not possible to complete our graduate program taking just evening courses. Our program is rigorous, and we expect that our students will work full-time toward the degree.

I am interested in... With which faculty member(s) would I work?

Please see our faculty bios. You can also find a listing of faculty by field specialty.

Which fields of study are available in the Department of History?

Please see our fields listing, which includes links to pages describing each of the fields.

What are the course requirements for the PhD?

In the first year, students take eight graduate-level courses. Two of the eight courses consist of a history research seminar. Seminars begin in autumn by studying a specific topic, introduction to the relevant historiography, development of research skills, and an introduction to archival methods with primary sources. The winter quarter is devoted to writing a major paper. Three of the eight courses are generally in the student's specific field of study. One other course is generally in another history field. Students are encouraged to take the final two courses in other disciplines, but based on course offerings in a given year, or individual needs, students may wish to take additional history courses instead.

In the second year, students take seven graduate-level courses, unless they have waived course requirements based on previous M.A.-level degree work. Two of the seven courses are a second seminar; the other five courses should be a mixture of courses within History or in other departments that will help prepare the student for fields examination.

While students are permitted to take coursework beyond the second year, the fifteen courses are all the coursework that is required toward the PhD degree.

What are the foreign language requirements for the PhD?

The Department requires a high pass (P+) on one or more written language examinations given by the Test Administration Office. The number of languages varies by field. Students must take a language examination during the first quarter of residence. Students who do not receive a high pass the first time should devote special attention to improving their skill, and are required to repeat the exam quarterly until a high pass is achieved. It is mandatory that students receive a high pass in at least one language examination before the beginning of the second academic year. In fields where more than one language is required, the additional requirement(s) must be satisfied before the proposal hearing.

Field		Languages Required
African		At least one European and one African language to be determined in consultation with the advisor.
Ancient*		French and German (one high pass, one pass); Greek and Latin (by departmental certification or with a grade of pass on the University examinations)
British		French, German, or Latin
Byzantine*		French and German (one high pass, one pass); Latin and Byzantine Greek by departmental certification
Caribbean and Atlantic World		Dutch, French, Portuguese, or Spanish
Early Modern Europe		A high pass in the primary language of research; a pass in one other modern European language
East Asia		High pass in primary language of research: Chinese, Japanese, or Korean
Europe		A grade of high pass in the primary modern European language of research; a grade of pass in one other approved language; normally, the second language will be in a different language group from the first, except as needed for research reasons
History of Science		French or German (high pass in one), but it is assumed students know both
International		At least one foreign language determined by sub-area of interest
Latin America		Spanish and Portuguese (one high pass, one pass) Recommended in 2007-2008; required thereafter. Recommended that most students take “Portuguese for Spanish Speakers” course to build their competence in Portuguese,
Medieval Europe		1. Latin (high pass) 2. French or German (pass) 3. One other approved language appropriate to the student’s research (pass)
Middle East/Islam^*		One of the following: Modern Arabic, French, German, Hebrew, Persian, Russian, Turkish, or Ottoman Turkish
Modern Jewish		Hebrew and one other relevant research langugage (one high pass, one pass)
Russia^*		Russian or any relevant language. For a Ph.D. in Russian history, however, knowledge of Russian is mandatory
South Asia^*		One of the following: Bengali, French, German, Hindi, Persian, Sanskrit, Tamil, or Urdu
United States		Any foreign language
*For fields with extensive language training, students may petition for a one-year postponement of the foreign language examination.
^In these fields, if the language requirement is met with French or German, it is assumed that the student will also acquire knowledge of area language(s) sufficient for research purposes.

How long will a PhD program take?

The coursework for the PhD takes two years (one if coursework is waived due to a previous MA). In the third year, students take their oral field exams in the Autumn and propose their dissertation topics in the Spring Quarter. Beyond the third year, students research and write the dissertation. It is possible to complete the entire PhD program, without an MA waiver, in five years. However, more typically, students spend seven to eight years in the PhD program. The amount of time needed to complete the program varies greatly, depending on the field of study, language work required, teaching/working during the degree program, and self motivation.

May I do a dual degree in History and . . . ?

The Department of History does not have formal dual degrees with other programs. However, it is possible to create ad-hoc joint degrees, and we have several students pursuing joint degrees with the Departments of Anthropology, Sociology, Jewish Studies, South Asian Languages/Civilizations, and the Committee on Conceptual and Historical Studies of Science. When students are admitted to graduate study at the University of Chicago, they are admitted into a specific department or committee. Once a student has matriculated, and typically once he or she has completed at least a year of coursework, an application for joint degree can be made to the second department or committee.

We also have had students pursue a PhD in History and a JD at the University of Chicago Law School. Again, there is no formal arrangement for such a program. Students must apply for, and matriculate into, one program or the other, and then begin the application for joint degree.

Are there opportunities to teach while I am a graduate student?

The University of Chicago calls itself a "teacher of teachers." The History Department proudly accepts this title. An intensive teaching internship program prepares post-orals students for a range of teaching assistantships and more independent teaching opportunities for advanced graduate students. You can learn more about teaching opportunities in and out of the Department on our Teaching Page.

What can I do with a PhD in History? What is the department's placement rate?

The majority of our students pursue academic careers, and eighty percent of History students who graduated in the past six years have accepted academic positions (postdoctoral fellowships, visiting appointments, or tenure-track faculty). You can learn more about our placement program and recent alumni on our Placement Page.

Our students also go on to pursue careers in law, government, consulting, and publishing. Other graduate choose to remain in academia but take positions as high school teachers, librarians, and university administrators.

Finances

How much does the graduate program cost?

During the first four years of a PhD program, students are considered to be in Scholastic Residence. Beyond that, students are considered to be in Advanced Residence. In either status, tuition is constant regardless of numbers of courses taken.

For 2008-2009, the quarterly tuition rate by status will be:
Ph.D. Scholastic Residence: 12,834
Ph.D. Advanced Residence: 5,052

A full schedule of tuition and fees can be found on the Bursar's web page.

Students who receive fellowships from the University can expect to have tuition paid for five years. Currently, the Division of Social Sciences pays a portion of the tuition for all students in Advanced Residence, so that the amount paid by the student is under $800/quarter.

What divisional fellowships are available? How do I apply?

All applicants who meet the admission requirements are eligible for financial aid, both domestic and international students. There are no separate financial aid forms. When your completed application is presented to the admissions committee, it is also reviewed at that time for any financial aid that we may offer. The aid review is based on the academic potential of the applicant and is not need-based.

We offer admission to approximately sixty applicants to the Department of History each year, and all of these offers include some type of University grant. Currently these offers are tuition plus a $19,000 stipend, or a tuition scholarship alone (with the promise of a $19,000 stipend in the third- through fifth-year if good academic progress is made). The fellowships provide a fifth year of funding, based on good academic progress; in the third through fifth year of these fellowships, a portion of the stipend award comprises teaching service for the College.

Are there teaching or research assistantships available?

The aid packages that we offer include a small teaching component in years three, four, and five. We discourage students from teaching in the first and second year of the program, before they have passed their oral exams. Beyond that, there are a wide range of teaching positions available to students. You can find more information about teaching on our Teaching Page.

We do not have a formal research assistantship program. Students who qualify for work-study funds can work as research assistants for department faculty who request them. You can learn more about the work-study program on our Funding Page.

What external fellowships are available? How do I apply?

It’s hardest to find external funding for graduate school in the first four years. After you’ve proven yourself by completing general course work and passing qualifying examination, there are more grant givers willing to fund your research and writing. That said, some corporations do offer fellowships for children of employees and private institutions may sponsor fellowships based on ethnic affiliations to help you begin your own research. I’ve selected funding sources that our students have successfully received in the past. Plan to begin your research in the summer before applying to graduate school – deadlines for some major fellowships occur a year in advance.

Jacob K. Javits Fellowship
Supports doctoral studies in selected fields within the arts, humanities, and social sciences. The four-year renewable award includes tuition, fees, and a stipend. United States citizens or permanent residents who are fourth-year college students or who have not finished their first year of graduate studies are eligible. Contact the Office of Graduate Affairs (773-702-0871).

Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowships for Minorities
Approximately sixty predoctoral fellowships awarded in a national competition administered by the National Academies on behalf of the Ford Foundation.

Foreign Language Area Studies (Title VI) Fellowship
For students concentrating in modern foreign language and international or area studies. There are separate fellowships for the academic year (nine months for study at Chicago only) and for summer (at Chicago or other United States or international institution). FLAS fellowships are contingent upon funding from the U.S. Department of Education. The nine-month award includes tuition, clinic and student activities fees, and a stipend. The separate summer award includes tuition and may cover some travel expenses. Interested students should contact the appropriate area center (East Asian, East Europe, Latin America, Middle East, or South Asia), Dean of Students Patrick Hall (773-702-8414), or the Office of Graduate Affairs (773-702-0871). Forms can be downloaded at the Office of Graduate Affairs.

National Science Foundation
For graduate study leading to research-based master’s or doctoral degrees in the fields of science, including the history of science, international relations, and the social sciences. The thirty-six month fellowships include tuition, fees, and a stipend. United States citizens or permanent residents in their fourth-year of college, first year of graduate school, recent college graduates, or students in joint B.A./M.A. programs are eligible, but applicants who have earned any medical degrees are not. Contact the Office of Graduate Affairs (773-702-0871).

Soros Fellowship for New Americans
One-half tuition plus a maintenance grant for up to two years of graduate study in the United States. Fourth-year college students and persons up to age 30 in possession of a bachelor's degree who meet the foundation’s definition of a new American are eligible. A new American is a permanent resident, a naturalized United States citizen, or the child of two parents who are both naturalized citizens.

Funding Sources for Foreign Students

At the time of applying to Chicago, you may wish to investigate whether your nation will help support your doctoral studies abroad, such as Canada’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies, the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (Conacyt) of México, or Thai Government Fellowships. Below are other sources of funding you may wish to explore:

Institute for International Education / Fulbright
The “Study America” program is for qualified stud
ents who are unable to afford graduate study in the United States without financial assistance. The IIE's Placement Unit advises over one thousand international students annually on appropriate college and university programs, arranges admissions, and seeks funding on behalf of students from both university and non-university sources.

International House Fellowship Program
Foreign students accepted for graduate study and who decide to live at the University’s International House may qualify for residential fellowships to help defray the cost of housing. The selection of fellows is based on need, merit, and leadership.

The Rotary Club Foundation
Since 1947, Ambassadorial Scholarships have helped more than thirty-thousand men and women from one-hundred nations to study abroad under its auspices. Today, it is the world's largest privately funded international scholarships program.

Are student loans available?

The formal acceptance letter from the Dean of Students will include information on government work-study and loans programs, as well as private loans for foreign citizens. If you have only a small debt from financing your undergraduate studies, securing loans may be an option for you.

More information is available at the Student Loan Administration.

Do students work? What employment opportunities are available?

The curriculum in History’s graduate program requires full-time study, with the majority of courses held during the day, which precludes studying part time or remaining employed full time.

Many of our students do work part-time, especially through the Work-Study Program. The federally funded work-study program for United States citizens and permanent residents assist students with money that does not have to be repaid. Program eligibility is determined by various criteria established by the government and overseen by the responsible University officials, all whom are outside the Department of History. In general practice, an eligible student is from a family of modest means, or is “independent,” which is defined as not being claimed as an exemption on their parents’ federal income tax return. Based on past experience, over four-fifths of those who apply to the Department of History program fulfill one or both of these criteria.

From your perspective, there are probably three reasons for participating in work-study:

• To earn up to $4,500 between October and June of the academic year.
• To see more closely how history is researched and written by working for a professional practitioner; or to work with faculty in other departments where you share a common research aim.
• To establish a more personal relation with a departmental professor than is usually possible in the class room or seminar.

Beyond the department, there are work-study and non-work-study employment opportunities available throughout the University. Please see the Student Employment Website for more details.