Frequently Asked Questions
Please note that specific regulations, requirements, and other details about our graduate program in History can be found in our History Graduate Handbook. Click here to view the handbook in PDF format.
In what fields do you offer a PhD?
Do you have a special policy for international students?
What are the language requirements?
Do I need to be a History major in college?
Where do I get an application?
What should I put in my personal statement?
I already have an MA - do I get credit for this?
I have applied before, do I need to complete the entire application again?
Can I come to visit the campus?
How high do my GRE scores and GPA need to be for admission?
Who makes the decision about my application?
What should I send for a writing sample?
What are the teaching requirements?
Do you provide students with funding to pursue research and attend conferences?
Who should I ask for letters of recommendation?
Do you admit students in the spring semester?
How long does it take to complete a PhD in History at Notre Dame?
What is the placement record for your students?
If I apply by January 4, 2008 when will I hear about my application?
Does Notre Dame provide housing for graduate students?
Does History Department offer a degree via distance learning?
What is your funding package? We offer full tuition and between $16,000 and $21,000 (for entering class of 2007-2008) per year for five years. Tuition is paid through year eight. Summer funding ($3,600 for 2007-2008) is provided for first and second-year students in good standing, who are on nine-month fellowships. All students are also offered a stipend for at least four years. We also make it a priority to fund fifth year students. Limited summer funding is also available.
Do you offer a terminal MA? No.
In what fields do you offer a PhD? All students have four fields. Consult the Graduate Guide for more information.
Do you have a special policy for international students? No. International students are considered in the same pool as US students, and they receive the same funding package.
What are the language requirements? See the Graduate Guide.
Do I need to be a History major in college? No, but your undergraduate program should demonstrate a strong interest and ability in history and the humanities.
Where do I get an application? You can obtain an application through the Notre Dame Graduate School web site.
What should I put in my personal statement? Your personal statement should explain your interests and trajectory as a historian. Among other things, please let us know: What are your special interests? What has inspired your interest in history? What is your training in history or related fields? With whom do you hope to work at Notre Dame, and why? Why do you want a PhD in history? If there have been any significant setbacks in your academic record that you think we should be aware of, please explain these in your personal statement. Personal statements should be no longer than three pages.
I already have an MA - do I get credit for this? You may transfer one course from your MA program to count towards the History PhD at Notre Dame. But aside from this, you will follow the normal student program, and will receive another MA from Notre Dame.
I have applied before, do I need to complete the entire application again? No. If you applied within the last five years, your application should still be on record. Some portions may be reused (for example, transcripts), but it is usually a good idea to send a new personal statement and to ask your recommenders to update their letters. GRE scores more than five years old are not acceptable.
Can I come to visit the campus? You are welcome to visit the Notre Dame campus at any time during the academic term. Please be sure to make appointments, in advance, through the director of graduate studies.
How high do my GRE scores and GPA need to be for admission? We have no official level for scores, but most admitted students have GRE scores in the 600s and 700s, and a GPA above 3.5 (higher in humanities courses).
Who makes the decision about my application? The Director of Graduate Studies and the Graduate Committee (a committee of six members chosen annually from among the History faculty) make all final decisions in consultation with faculty members from specific areas in which a prospective student might work.
What should I send for a writing sample? Please send your most polished piece of historical writing, ideally a research paper (or part of a research paper) based on analysis of primary sources. Students applying in medieval, European, and Latin American history are encouraged to submit a paper that shows use of primary source documents in their original language. Samples should be no more than 20 pages. If you are sending part of a longer paper, please include an abstract or a table of contents for the longer work. Written work should be in English.
What are the teaching requirements? All students are required to serve as teaching assistants in their second and third year of study. This is referred to as “service.” At most, a TA will be assigned two discussion sections for the same course, with no more than 18 students in each section. Advanced students also have opportunities to teach their own classes (as “teacher of record”) during the summer or academic year. We encourage all students to take the opportunity to gain experience as teachers, and we offer a required course on teaching, the Teaching Practicum, for all second-year students.
Do you provide students with funding to pursue research and attend conferences? Yes. There is funding from both the department and the University to help students fund travel for brief research trips and to attend conferences in their field.
Who should I ask for letters of recommendation? We usually expect letters from professors who have taught you in the past, either in undergraduate or graduate work. They should comment on your abilities as a student. Where applicable, they should also comment on your work as a historian, or your abilities in languages. In some cases, you may also wish to include a letter (preferably no more than one) from somebody else who knows you well: a dean, boss, coach, pastor, or other person who can comment on your suitability for graduate work in history. Please send no more than four letters. Be sure to double-check with those writing for you to make sure that letters arrive by our January 15 deadline.
Do you admit students in the spring semester? No. We only admit students for entrance in the fall. The deadline for all applications is January 4, 2008.
How long does it take to complete a PhD in History at Notre Dame? Students normally complete our program in six years. We encourage all students to finish in five or six years.
What is the placement record for your students? Please see the placement records listed on our web site.
I have been working in another profession (or training for another profession), and I am only now turning to history. Should I apply to your program? Certainly. Most, but not all, of our students enter the program directly from a BA or MA program. A number of students enter our program after completing law school or divinity school, seeking a second degree; others come from the working world (teachers, lawyers, librarians, etc.). The most important thing, in your application, is that you make clear why you have decided that a degree in history is now right for you.
If I apply by January 4, 2008 when will I hear about my application? Admissions decisions are made throughout the month of February and into early March. Students who have been admitted, or who are on our waiting list, will hear from us between March 1 and April 1.
Does Notre Dame provide housing for graduate students? Yes. The University has housing available near the campus for both single and married graduate students. Many graduate students take advantage of University housing, while others rent or buy houses and apartments in South Bend. Rental rates and house prices are very reasonable in our area.
Does the History Department offer a degree via distance learning? No. All graduate students must attend classes during their period of course work (usually two years). Once a student has completed course work, they may pursue their degree while living elsewhere.