Graduate Program

The History Department normally accepts applications to begin in the Fall Semester of the following year. Applications for 2010-2011 school year will due by December 1, 2009. Deadline for international applicants is November 15, 2009. Applicants who have compelling reasons for beginning their graduate study in the Spring or Summer Semesters should contact the Director of Graduate Studies.

The History Department accepts applications for the M.A. and the Ph.D. degrees. Because employment opportunities in the field are limited for holders of a Master's degree in History, the Ph.D. is the usual goal of graduate students in our Department. However, a terminal M.A. degree may be appropriate in some cases; please consult with the Director of Graduate Studies concerning this option. Students who intend ultimately to pursue the Ph.D. but who do not yet have an M.A. degree in History (or a related discipline) should check the "M.A./Ph.D." box on the Application Cover Sheet.

The application involves a two-part process. One part is handled by the History Department, which determines the applicant's suitability for admission and recommends candidates to the Graduate School. Another part is handled by the Graduate School, which verifies eligibility for admission, collects the application fee, and makes admissions decisions based on the department's recommendation. Both parts must be completed in their entirety for the application to be processed.

Your application consists of the following materials:

1. A History Department Application Cover Sheet, which may be downloaded here or request a copy from the Graduate Administrator, Ellen Garber elgarber@ku.edu.
2. Your written 2-page Statement of Academic Objectives. Describing:
   • Your anticipated fields of specialization
   • Your reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in History at KU
   • Your qualifications for graduate study
3. A current resume or curriculum vita. This document should provide:
   • Your contact information
   • A list of your educational background
   • A list of your employment history, publications, and honors or awards.
4. A written sample of your academic writing, no longer than 10 typed pages in length. A paper you wrote for a history course on which you received an "A" is best.
5. Three letters of recommendation, accompanied by the university form, from qualified professionals who are very familiar with academic performance. Ask recommenders to send their letters directly to the History Department. Download Recommendation Letter in PDF (will open in a new browser).
6. One official copy of the transcripts of your post-secondary study. Ask the registrar at these colleges or universities to send the official transcript directly to the History Department. Please note that we require transcripts from every institution you attended, even if you transferred the credits to another institution.
7. An official report of your score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test, taken within the past five years. To send your scores to the Department, make sure to send to the correct codes:
   • Institution Code: 6871 University of Kansas
   • Department Code: 2799
   • The department does not require the Advanced Test in History.

The Graduate School section of the application consists of the completed Application Form, and the payment of the Application Fee. Applications may be completed online or by paper; click here to submit an online application or click here to download a form.

The Application Form and your check or money order must be mailed directly to: The Graduate School, The University of Kansas, 1450 Jayhawk Blvd., Rm 313, Lawrence, KS 66045-7535. Please do not send them to the History Department.

As of June, 2005, the Application Fee is:

Domestic Applicant, Application on Paper: $55.00
Domestic Applicant, Application on Line: $45.00
International Applicant, Application on Paper: $60.00
International Applicant, Application on Line: $55.00

Deadline for international applicants is November 15.