Application Process

• Admission to a primary field of study commits you to work toward your degree in that area, so we encourage you to select your primary field with care. Be sure to contact faculty to best assess your fit for the program.
• If you would like to pursue training balanced equally between two fields of study, you may enter “Individual Plan” followed by the two fields in which you would like to work (e.g., Individual Plan: European – modern/East Asian).

This section asks for details about your research interests. If you are planning to concentrate your studies a formal thematic program (i.e., Program in Gender and Women’s History, Program in Jewish History, or War in Society and Culture Program), you may indicate so here. You will also be able to tell us about any specific topical, chronological, or geographic interests you may have, including any interest in our  Bridge Program with African American Studies or a Joint PhD with another degree program at UW-Madison.

Provide the names of the faculty members with whom you would like to work (up to four). We encourage you to explore the research specializations of individual faculty members.

• Language Preparation. Tell us about your language preparation, if any.
  • We have no formal requirements that students must meet in order to qualify for admission to our graduate programs. However, applicants should bear in mind the requirements that they will need to meet during their graduate studies. In some fields, e.g., medieval European history and East Asian history, prior language preparation is expected. We encourage you to discuss expectations with the faculty members with whom you would like to work.
• Writing Sample (PDF format only). Provide a sample that best illustrates the quality of your written work (optimally no more than 50 pages, double-spaced; max. file size 6 MB).
• Outside Sources of Support: If you are planning to self-fund your graduate studies, this section asks you to describe in detail any funding sources to which you have applied (or will apply).

Upload an unofficial copy of your transcript from all institutions attended, showing any undergraduate and graduate degrees awarded. If accepted, the Graduate School will ask for official transcripts from each institution in spring.

English proficiency is required for all international degree-seeking applicants. See the Graduate School requirements page for more information.

The Statement of Purpose (2-3 pages, double-spaced, pdf file format) explains your reasons for graduate study. It may be the hardest part of the application to write, but it is also the most important. While you will likely include some autobiographical information, its primary purpose is to acquaint us with how your mind works. We want to know, for example, what kinds of intellectual problems and issues interest you, whose stories intrigue you, what sorts of analytical or narrative approaches you like to pursue, which historical writings you admire—and your reasons for these various preferences. Please help us understand your decision to enter the historical profession and how you see your own role in it. You can feel free to explain how your background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges have motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Wisconsin.  There is no single right way to approach this part of the application, but we suggest that you bear in mind the usual cautions for personal writing: speak straightforwardly, in your own voice, and write as well as you know how.

This should highlight your accomplishments and qualifications including academic honors or distinctions; professional, research, and/or teaching experience; and any publications.

Provide contact information for the three individuals who will furnish recommendations on your behalf. Your letter writers will receive an upload link by email.

The Graduate School offers a limited number of application fee waivers to make sure the application fee ($75) is not a barrier for students. Criteria for granting the waiver can be found here. For those not meeting the Graduate School’s criteria, the Department of History offers a limited number of fee waivers. These are granted on an individual basis by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies.

Try refreshing the page in your browser. Try using a different browser. If you are still unsuccessful, please send the documents in an email attachment to the Graduate Admissions Advisor.

After you submit your application, follow the instructions provided in the email sent to you from the Office of Graduate Admissions to check your application status. It will take us some time to process your materials, so please be patient!

Faculty members will begin reviewing files after the December 1st deadline and the department will send letters of admission or refusal by mid-February.

As long as you have paid the application fee and submitted your application by December 1, your submission will be considered for admission. We do understand that some of these items may trickle in after the application deadline; however, please note that incomplete application materials make faculty consideration of applications difficult.

We receive 250-350 applications each year. We generally admit only students to whom we can offer a multi-year funding guarantee. In recent years, offers of admission have been extended to anywhere from 25-35 students.

The Graduate School requires a 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Most students admitted to the Department of History have an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher in history-related courses.

The Graduate Programs in History and HSMT do not require the GRE.

Our program is designed to meet the needs of the PhD candidate. Before applying for a terminal M.A., you are strongly encouraged to contact potential advisors from our faculty prior to completing an application. We admit terminal M.A. applicants on a very limited basis and the probability of admission is low. In addition, there is no funding guarantee for terminal M.A. students and applicants must have external funding or be self-funded.

Maybe. If you have written an M.A. thesis or a longer research paper, our faculty will determine whether it satisfies our M.A. research seminar requirement. For specifics regarding your individual case, contact the Graduate Program Manager.