Admissions

Overview

We welcome applications from college seniors and recent college graduates, from international students, and from mature or returning students, including educators, individuals making career changes, and retirees. Although a background in history is very helpful, it is not necessary to have majored in history in college to gain admission to the graduate program. Applicants to the Ph.D. program normally hold the M.A. degree or its equivalent.

Deadlines

March 1 - Fall Term with consideration for Graduate Assistantship
April 1 - Summer Term
April 15 - Fall Term
November 15 - Spring Term

In addition to the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of History has the following requirements:

Master of Arts–Requirements for Full Graduate Status Admission

1. An undergraduate major in history or its equivalent, which includes survey courses in both American and European history.
2. Acceptable scores on the General (Aptitude) Test of the Graduate Record Examination.
3. A high standard of undergraduate achievement, especially in the major.
4. A statement of the applicant’s educational and professional goals. See guidelines at right.
5. A writing sample.
6. Three letters of recommendation from faculty members (preferably in history) with whom the applicant has studied. See guidelines at right.
7. Official transcripts of all previous college and graduate-level work.

Doctor of Philosophy–Requirements for Full Graduate Status Admission

1. A high standard of undergraduate achievement, in undergraduate and graduate work, especially in the major field.
2. Ordinarily, the M.A. degree in history. Additional course work may be required if the department deems previous graduate work inadequate for Ph.D. study in history.
3. Acceptable scores on the General (Aptitude) Test of the Graduate Record Examination.
4. Language skills deemed adequate by the department. This will normally include evidence of proficiency in at least one alternate language.
5. Positive evidence of research aptitude and skill, such as the M.A. thesis, and a sample of the applicant’s research and written work.
6. A statement of the applicant’s educational and professional goals. See guidelines at right.
7. Recommendations from three faculty members (preferably in history), who have had the student in graduate courses. See guidelines at right.
8. Official transcripts of all previous college and graduate level work.

Procedural Rules

1. The Department of History may require a personal interview with the Ph.D. applicant.
2. Admission to the Ph.D. program is not automatic on the completion of the M.A. in history at Georgia State University.
3. Normally, a student may not take three degrees—the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate—in the Department of History at Georgia State University.