Graduate Admissions
The Department of History welcomes applicants to our graduate programs. Applications for graduate study in the UConn Department of History are made through the Graduate School; details of the application process can be found on the Graduate School website.
Application Process and Timeline
We only accept applications for fall admission; the department deadline for submitting a complete application is January 1st. While we may accept some delayed materials after that date, such as transcripts or test scores, we cannot guarantee consideration of any materials submitted after the deadline.
Before applying, we HIGHLY recommend that you first look over the list of faculty, explore the publications of those you find particularly interesting, and write them to gauge interest in working with you. You should ask if they are accepting Ph.D. or MA students for the year you plan on beginning the program.
Graduate coursework and Graduate Assistant work is in person at the UConn Storrs Campus.
Requirements:
PLEASE NOTE: We do not require GREs, and we do not require official transcripts to apply. If you are offered admission, the Graduate School will require you to provide official transcripts at that time.
1. Official transcripts from all schools attended (whether or not a degree was received)
Your transcript(s) must meet the following criteria:
Cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 for your entire undergraduate career OR
Grade-point average of at least 3.0 for your last two undergraduate years OR
Grade-point average of over 3.5 for your final undergraduate year
In addition, any graduate work must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.0.
2. Personal statement
Successful personal statements are generally 750-1000 words long (1-2 pages single-spaced). Think of this statement as a focused argument that draws together the evidence of your interests, experiences, and achievements to make a case for your candidacy for graduate study. You should concisely explain why you are drawn to graduate study, what problems or areas you particularly would like to work on, and what kind of scholarly approach you envision taking. The most successful statements are specific about intellectual interests and (at least lightly) engaged with recent scholarship or debates. Feel free to interweave personal experiences or striking anecdotes, keeping in mind that your ultimate purpose is to persuade faculty of your skills as a writer and historical thinker.
3. Three letters of recommendation
These should be from professors or scholars who know you and your work well. The best letters will speak to your intellectual capability and ambition, as well as drawing on the broader evidence of your employment, education, and other interests. Letters from employers or colleagues can be useful, but be sure that at least some letters speak to core issues of scholarly thinking and writing.
4. Writing sample
For this you should submit a polished piece of writing that showcases your skills as a researcher, analyst, and writer. This may be a published article, a research paper, or something else. The writing samples we find most useful for evaluating your potential as a historian include strong historical arguments, clear engagement with scholarly literature, and thoughtful use of primary/ archival sources. The optimal writing sample is 10-20 double-spaced pages in length. If you feel your best work was done in a longer format, such as a thesis, please submit both a shorter excerpt for our evaluation and the complete work for reference.
5. Resume/CV
Please upload a one to two page resume/ CV detailing some of your academic and extracurricular achievements.
Application Deadlines
Fall Semester
The deadline to apply for the Fall of the following year is January 1st. Please note this supersedes the Grad School’s (later) general deadline. Cohorts are Fall start only.
Spring Semester
The History Department does not accept applications for Spring start in the program, cohorts are Fall start only.
Before You Apply
Learn about the Department
Faculty Directory (You are STRONGLY encouraged to reach out to potential advisors before applying!)
Financial Aid
Meet Our Graduate Students
grad alumni page – NEEDED
Contact Us
For questions, please contact:
Rachel Bobadilla
Educational Program Assistant (Graduate Program)
rachel.bobadilla@uconn.edu