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History
Mailing address: Bentley Annex 452

History Ph.D. Graduate Admissions

Admission Requirements

  • M.A. in history, preferably with a thesis. Applicants who have a graduate degree in another, closely related field will still be considered. But they must provide clear and convincing evidence that they are prepared for doctoral study in history.
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0. The department expects that an applicant's GPA in his or her M.A. program will be significantly higher.
  • Three letters of recommendation.
  • The GRE is optional for admission. If believe your scores will enhance your application, feel free to include them, but they are not required.
  • Writing sample that demonstrates the ability to engage in advanced historical research and to express ideas clearly and persuasively. A chapter or chapters from an M.A. thesis would be an appropriate writing sample.
  • Statement of purpose (approximately 500 words). This should explain the applicant's reasons for seeking admission to the Ph.D. program and what he or she hopes to study. Try to be as specific as possible. The department does not expect that applicants propose a precise dissertation topic, but in making decisions on admission they do look to ensure that a student's interests can be well-served by history course offerings and faculty expertise. Please do not hesitate to be in touch with any faculty member with whom you think you might like to study. See Faculty Research Areas for individual contact details and more information about the wide-ranging scholarly interests of faculty.
  • English Proficiency. All non-native English speakers must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting official test scores for either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS academic). To be considered official, test scores must be reported directly from the testing agency to Ohio University. Minimum TOEFL-iBT 80. IELTS 6.5 minimum across all bands. More information on English Proficiency.

See more information about Ohio University's graduate admission requirements.

Apply Now

All graduate applications must be submitted electronically through the Graduate College.

Application Deadlines

The deadline for applications for the Fall Semester is Feb. 15 of the preceding winter. The History Department's Graduate Committee will make decisions on admission shortly after that date. Applicants will be notified of those decisions by early to mid-March. Almost all admissions to the program occur in this cycle. Please note that applicants for fall semester have priority for financial aid in the form of teaching assistantships and fellowships.

The History Department's Graduate Committee may admit applicants to start in the spring semester. Such candidates should apply no later than Nov. 1 of the preceding fall. Admissions on this cycle, however, occur very rarely and only in extraordinary circumstances. Please note that teaching assistantships and fellowships are typically unavailable in this cycle. And please be in touch with the History Department's Director of Graduate Studies before applying on this secondary cycle.