The History Department offers several degree options for graduate historical study.
Students may pursue an MA in History or a PhD in History. Individuals may also pursue an Advanced Certificate in History.
To apply, prospective students must complete and submit an online application.
Applications to the Master's program must include a personal statement, transcripts from all schools colleges and universities attended, two letters of recommendation, a sample of written work.
Applications to the PhD program must include three letters of recommendation, a sample of written work, a statement of purpose, a current CV, and transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
IMPORTANT NOTE TO INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS:
To be reviewed for admission you must fill out the supplemental questions on the application for international, students, and upload the following documentation to your application.
International applicants must also provide the following:
1. Complete the Financial Form with supporting bank documents;
2. Officially verified TOEFL score from ETS;
3. English translation of transcript;
4. Proof of degree; and
5. Copy of passport.
GRE Requirement is Waived for the 2021 Application Cycle
GRE scores are not required for MA or PhD applicants.
International students whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL scores.
Minimal TOEFL score requirements:
The Department offers a minimum 4 years of support to all full-time PhD students, with rare exceptions. Funding typically takes the form of Teaching Assistantships and Research Fellowships, plus a full tuition scholarship.
Teaching Assistants are required to teach, usually as assistants to History Department Professors in American History Surveys or in History General Education courses. Teaching assistants are required to attend lectures and supervise two to three recitation sections per semester.
Typical PhD Funding Package (annual for at least 4 years):
$20,000 Baseline T.A. Stipend
$10,870 Tuition Scholarship
$2,000 Departmental support in the form of Fellowships and Grants
$32,870 Total estimated financial aid for a full-time doctoral students
Note to all PhD applicants:
If you wish to be considered for a Presidential Fellowship and/or a Schomburg Fellowship, please include in your Statement of Purpose a brief explanation of why you believe you may be eligible. Eligibility requirements are as follows:
Schomburg fellows must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents who can demonstrate that they would contribute to the diversity of the student body of the university, especially those who have overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education. In awarding these fellowships, academic units may give consideration to students who are of a race or ethnicity that is underrepresented in its graduate or professional programs but do not make awards solely on that basis. Students must be planning to enroll full-time during the award period and must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
Nominees must meet at least one of the following academic criteria upon admission:
• A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.40 or higher; or
• A combined score of 1,270 or higher on the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the “old” GRE General Test (the version offered prior to Aug. 1, 2011) and a score of 4.5 or higher on the Analytical Writing component of that test; or
• A combined score of 313 or higher on the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the revised/new version of the GRE General Test (that was introduced worldwide on Aug. 1, 2011) and a score of 4.5 or higher on the Analytical Writing component of that test.
Healthcare: Health Insurance is available to full-time PhD students with a Teaching Assistantship.
Dissertation Fellowships: Advanced PhD students may compete each year for additional support designated to travel and living expenses to conduct dissertation research outside the Western New York region. This funding is subject to availability but represents a possible 5TH year of support for qualified students.
Further opportunities are often available for advanced PhD students to teach their own undergraduate courses as paid adjunct or teaching associates. In this way, our very best students frequently receive 6 or possibly 7 years of total support.
Please contact us for more information about department specific grants and fellowships. Please see the Graduate school’s list of scholarships and grants for additional funding opportunities such as the Arthur A. Schomburg Fellowship Program for diversity or the UB Presidential Fellowship for outstanding incoming graduate students.
The History Department will offer three tuition scholarships to Master of Arts students who can demonstrate that they would contribute to the diversity of the student body, especially those who can demonstrate that they have overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education.
The scholarship provides $9,000 toward tuition costs over three semesters.
Students wishing to be considered for a Plesur Diversity Scholarship should submit with their application a one-page statement about the obstacles they have overcome.
Students can begin the Master's program in either the Fall or Spring semester. The target date for Fall admission is April 1, and for Spring admission, October 1. Admissions are rolling.
PhD applications are only accepted for Fall start dates, and must be received by December 1.
Application Fee
All applications require a nonrefundable $75 fee, paid electronically.
Please contact the Department of History with questions about the application process.
Undergraduates may apply for a major or minor in History by completing an application and scheduling an appointment with Dr. Andreas Daum, the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS). Open office hours are available during the spring and fall semesters. Please note that you must schedule an appointment for advisement with the Director of Undergraduate Studies before you can turn in your application to the History Department office.
Please fill out the History Department Application and bring to your advising meeting with Dr. Daum.
For more information please email dushist@buffalo.edu or call the History Department at (716) 645-2182.
