Graduate Programs

Admissions

As a demonstration of our commitment to excellence in historical scholarship and education, admission to our degree programs is highly competitive. It is important that each applicant clearly articulate his/her academic preparation and qualifications for graduate study at Maryland.

All prospective applicants are encouraged to make contact with the faculty in the area(s) of interest. Faculty play an important role in the admissions decision. Prospective applicants are also encouraged to make contact with current graduate students to learn more about their experiences. The History Graduate Student Association can facilitate communications with current students.

Applicants are required to submit a sample of written work of historical scholarship, such as a research paper or thesis, as well as a statement of purpose, a personal statement, transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and GRE scores. Additional materials may be requested.

Although there are exceptions, the minimum overall grade point average for admission to a master's degree program is 3.25 and 3.50 for admission to the doctoral program. The admissions committee would typically expect a higher grade point average in past coursework in history and related disciplines. Successful applicants usually score above the 80th percentile in the analytical writing and verbal reasoning portions of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. The Department does not require a GRE Subject Test.

There are no general language or special skill requirements for admission, but the command of one or more relevant languages may bear upon an applicant’s chances for admission in certain fields of study.

The admissions process is sensitive to variations in GRE scores among applicants whose primary language is not English. However, the University requires that all admitted students demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English.

The submission deadline for consideration for Fall 2007 admission is December 15, 2006. The Department of History does not consider applications for spring semester admissions.

Applications to all degree programs must be submitted online through the Graduate School's Online Application Portal.

To the extent possible, applicants should submit all required materials, including writing samples and letters of recommendation, via the online application portal. Instructions on the electronic submission of required materials are included in the Application Supplemental Form (ASF), which is sent via email within 3-4 business days after submitting the main application.

Materials sent in hard copy should be directed to the University's Enrollment Services Operations office, where the materials are scanned and uploaded to an electronic applicant file. The mailing address for ESO is:

Enrollment Services Operations
Application for Graduate Admission
Rm 0130 Mitchell Building
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742 USA

NOTE: At the height of the main applications season, it may take two weeks or more for hard-copy materials such as letters of recommendation to be processed, scanned, and uploaded to the applicant record. Therefore, applicants are strongly urged to use the electronic submission features of the Application Supplemental Form, which greatly speed uploads to the applicant record.

Unless specifically instructed to do so, applicants should not send application materials to the Department of History.

Special Notes

Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States should consult the guidelines posted by International Education Services.

Students interested in graduate-level courses, but who do not intend to apply for admission to a degree program should consult the Application Guidelines for Advanced Special Student Status.

Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States should consult the guidelines posted by International Education Services.

Applicants to History and Library Science (HiLS) dual-degree program need to meet application requirements for both the Department of History and the College of Information Studies. For additional information on application requirements, visit the joint CLIS-History HiLS webpage.

For additional information on University admission requirements, consult the Graduate School Catalog.