Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

January 19, 2023

Anik Chartrand | PhD Candidate in English

Established in 1953 with only 38 students, 5 programs, 4 departments and $1,400 PhD stipends, the Brandeis Graduate Schools of Arts and Sciences had uncertain, humble beginnings. Brandeis University was only five years old itself, and staff, faculty and students were hesitant to develop graduate programs so early. The university originally wanted to start graduate programs across eight departments, but narrowed it down to Chemistry (MA program), Psychology (MA and PhD program), Near Eastern and Judaic Studies (MA and PhD program), and Music (MFA program). Seventy years later, GSAS has more than 700 Master’s, PhD, and post-baccalaureate students in more than 40 programs. 

In 1953, forty-six new faculty taught graduate courses, including composer Irving Fine, chemist Saul Cohen (who served as the chemistry department’s first graduate chair), and Abraham Maslow, the distinguished psychologist who theorized Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. In 1954, GSAS established graduate programs in English (MA) and the History of Ideas (MA and PhD). By 1963, GSAS had thirteen PhD programs, eleven MA programs, and one MFA program across 15 different departments, with many more to develop in the following years. 

Individualized programs, small classroom sizes, apprentice-type training, and the emphasis on research excellence were and continue to be highlights of graduate education at Brandeis. We have more than 11,000 alumni who today work in academia, industry, and nonprofits, among other fields. Alums are known for their academic excellence, global activism, and entrepreneurship. We are thrilled in 2023 to recognize 70 years of pioneering excellence across generations!

Check out the archives of the 1953-1954 Justice (the Brandeis newspaper), with lots of stories about the first year of GSAS!

Brandeis General Bulletin 1953-1954

Brandeis GSAS Bulletin 1963-1964

Fun Facts

• GSAS formally opened on Thursday, January 14, 1954 with inaugural festivities that included representatives from over 150 colleges, universities, and learned societies to welcome Brandeis to the greater-Boston graduate studies consortium. 
•  Graduate students were among the first Community Advisors (previously called dormitory proctors) for the residence halls at Brandeis. 
• In its first year, GSAS received applications from Korea, India, Sweden, Canada, and 30 U.S. states. 
• Brandeis originally wanted GSAS to open with the eight programs in Mathematics, Chemistry or Physics, Comparative Literature, Near Eastern Studies, Psychology, Music, Political Science, and Social Relations.
• The first Brandeis undergraduates to enroll as GSAS students were Ora Gorowitz (Music) and Shimon Gottschalk (NEJS), both of whom started in the fall of 1954.
• For some additional fun facts and statistics, visit GSAS By the Numbers on our About Us page.