/College of Arts & Sciences
Department of History

Empowering Students to Study the Past and Shape the Future

Admissions

Admissions

Each year, we admit 6 to 8 students into the PhD Program and additional students into the Master's Program. Applications for admission are handled through the Graduate School. Prospective students must apply online.

Successful applicants typically have a strong record of undergraduate achievement, familiarity with historical approaches and scholarship, and excellent writing, research, and analytical skills. Prior specialization in History is not required. Admissions decisions are based primarily upon assessment of the applicant's potential for scholarly achievement in the discipline of History and our faculty's ability to support them in their intended field of study. 

Application Requirements

Applications must be postmarked/submitted/received by: 

  • PhD applications are due December 15
  • MA applications are due March 15

Contact Stony Brooks University Graduate School for more information

Submit the following

To have your application be considered, you must complete the Graduate School application form.

(uploaded with application) (3-4 pages) describing the intended field(s) of study, the insights or experiences motivating the decision to specialize in this area, and the kinds of questions which the applicant hopes to explore; this statement should be as specific as possible about intended research topics and subject area(s) and indicate relevant faculty with whom they envision working. Applicants are encouraged to contact these professors before submitting the application.

 (uploaded with application) that illustrates the applicant's writing skills and capacity for research, analysis, and creative thought. The sample should be 12-20 pages, with proper citations and bibliography. 

Three (3) Letters of Recommendation are now required for all PhD applicants and Master's applicants. When you submit your application, your recommenders will automatically be sent a link to submit their letters electronically to the Graduate School. Letters should describe the applicant's achievements and potential for intellectual growth.

Please upload copies of official transcripts to your Admissions Application from all colleges/institutions that you list on your application where your degrees were conferred.

In order for the History Graduate Admissions Committee to review information on your previous course history, the department will accept for review only unofficial transcripts uploaded with your admissions application.  However, for those applicants that are offered admission to History’s Graduate Program; a Final Official Transcript will be required at the time of accepting the offer of admission. Once the offer of admission is made, it is at that time, that Official transcripts with degree verification must be submitted electronically from the issuing University to the History Department at gradadmissions@stonybrook.edu.

If your native or primary language is not English, you must demonstrate your proficiency in English by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination. For language test requirements, contact Stony Brook Universities Graduate School. Test scores must be sent electronically from Educational Testing Services directly to the Graduate School. 

Stony Brook Universities institution code is 2548.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are no longer required for admission to the MA and PhD programs in History. However, if you wish to be considered for the Graduate Council Fellowship (GCF), please be aware that it does still currently require GRE scores.  To be eligible for this fellowship, one must be a US citizen or permanent resident of the US; successful GCF nominees typically have extremely high test scores, extremely strong GPAs, significant research experience, excellent letters, and a good fit to the strengths of the program.  We usually only have 1 or 2 applicants each year who meet all these criteria.

If you do choose to submit GRE scores in your application, they must be submitted directly from the Education Testing Services (ETS).

The History subject test is not required. It is advisable, especially for financial aid applicants, if one is taking the GRE, to take it no later than October, to ensure that the review of application materials is not delayed. GRE scores must be sent electronically from ETS directly to the Graduate School. 

Stony Brook Universities institution code is 2548.

Funding Opportunities

Doctoral Students

  • All full-time PhD applicants are automatically considered for financial assistance from the History Department, in the form of a Teaching Assistantship or a Graduate Assistantship (pending budgetary approval), as well as any internal department funds available. They also receive full tuition waivers, as long as they maintain their full-time status. There are no special forms to fill out for Departmental support. The department also considers eligible PhD applicants for university-wide fellowship programs such as The Dr. W. Burghardt Turner Fellowship (administered by the university’s Center for Inclusive Education; for students who have demonstrated academic achievement and overcome a disadvantage or other​ impediment to success in higher education), and Graduate Council Fellowships (GCF) (administered by the Graduate School; for exceptionally qualified incoming doctoral students). These fellowships are available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents only.

Master’s Students

  • The History Department is unable to offer financial aid to first-year MA students, but recently began a program to provide partial tuition support to some of our top MA students to facilitate timely completion of the program.
  • Master's students may also inquire about financial assistance through Stony Brook University's Financial Aid Department.