Overview

Brandeis University's MA and PhD programs in History train students to research, write, and teach history at the highest level. Our program is designed to meet the varied academic and professional needs of graduate students, with flexible requirements that encourage students to define their own courses of study within a curriculum of comparative and transnational history. Students study many areas of world history, including our departmental strengths in American and European history, in a program that consistently receives high marks in national surveys and rankings and boasts an outstanding placement record. Visit the department's website for more information. Application instructions can be found below. 

Apply Financial Aid Program Site

How to Apply

Application Deadlines

PhD: January 15
MA: Rolling through May 1; review of applications begins January 15

Application Requirements

To apply for the program, you need to submit:

• An online application

• An application fee

• Transcripts from all universities and colleges attended must be uploaded to your application; do not mail official transcripts to our office. For more information, visit Frequently Asked Questions.

• A curriculum vitae (CV) or resumé

• Two letters of recommendation, submitted electronically

• A statement of purpose indicating your reasons for undertaking graduate study. In addition, please describe your qualifications for the academic program and your objectives in undertaking this program. The statement should clearly outline the historical problems or themes you intend to investigate. The statement should also indicate how your research interests would complement those of the faculty. Applicants to the master's program should discuss their academic and professional career plans and how the Graduate School could help them attain their goals.

• Critical writing sample not exceeding 35 pages; the 35-page maximum may consist of a single critical essay or two shorter essays of approximately equal length.

• Graduate Record Exam (GRE): Please note that if you are applying for the 2022-2023 academic year, your application will receive full consideration even if you are unable to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Typically, the GRE general test is required. Our GRE institution code is 3092 (please note: this institution code only applies to GRE scores). MyBest™ scores from ETS will not be accepted.

• Additional Requirements for International Applicants: Score report from one of the following English language proficiency exams: TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Revised Paper-delivered Test, TOEFL ITP Plus for China Solution, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or Duolingo English Test. You can arrange for the delivery of your TOEFL iBT or Revised Paper-delivered Test score report by providing ETS with our institution code, 3261 (no department code is necessary); please note that we do not accept TOEFL Essentials score reports or MyBest™ scores from ETS. Delivery of your TOEFL ITP Plus scores can be arranged via your Vericant account, delivery of your Duolingo scores can be arranged via your Duolingo account, and delivery of your PTE Academic scores can be arranged via your Pearson account. Further information about this requirement can be found on the International Students page.

For a more comprehensive description of application requirements, please visit Frequently Asked Questions.