FAQs for Prospective Ph.D. Students
The Ph.D. in History
Why get a Ph.D. in history at GMU?
There are many wonderful reasons to pursue doctoral training in history. Visit “A Doctorate with a Difference” for an overview of what makes our program special.
You will find additional program details here.
Is a Ph.D. required for teaching history at the community college level?
No. However, in metropolitan areas like Washington, D.C., where a lot of people have terminal degrees, competitive candidates might need a doctorate to be hired.
Application Requirements
Do I have to have a master's degree in history to apply to the program?
No. But you do need a record of achievement that suggests likelihood of success in a doctoral program.
What does the application entail?
Applicants to the Ph.D. in History must submit:
1. A curriculum vitae (CV) that describes the applicant's academic and professional achievements.
2. A goals statement, 2-3 pages in length. The statement should explain your research agenda, your experience with historical research and writing, and why you think the George Mason University Ph.D. program in History is a good fit for your personal or professional goals. If relevant, the statement should also address your interest in or experience with digital humanities, though experience with digital humanities is not required for admission. The application should note the History & Art History faculty with whom you wish to work and whether you plan to attend part-time or full-time.
3. A writing sample consisting of a history essay, research paper, or professional publication that demonstrates the applicant’s writing ability, understanding of historiography, and ability to use primary and secondary evidence to support a historical argument.
4. Three letters of recommendation from professional colleagues or academic mentors who can speak to your intelligence, research and writing ability, character, and likelihood of success in a doctoral program.
5. All undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
The university uses an on-line application system for all academic programs. For information on the application process, visit University Graduate Admissions.
Do I need to submit GRE scores?
GRE scores are optional. Verbal and writing scores are the only parts we consider.
Application Procedures
What is the deadline for applying to the program?
January 15.
Can I start the program in any semester?
No, only in the Fall semester.
Who makes application decisions?
Admissions decisions are made by a departmental committee composed of the Ph.D. Director, who chairs the committee, and at least four other faculty members, who are appointed annually by the Department Chair. Applications are also circulated to prospective faculty advisors, whose comments are forwarded to the Admissions Committee. Working independently, committee members evaluate candidates based on goals, merit (professional accomplishments as well as more conventional measures of academic achievement), and suitability to our program. The committee meets as a group to arrive at a collective ranking, which determines admission decisions as well as financial aid.
When do admissions decisions get made?
The Ph.D. Director sends admissions letters in early March.
Funding
Are graduate assistantships available?
Yes. Full-time students are eligible for graduate teaching and research assistantships. The assistantships consist of a tuition waiver (regardless of whether you are in-state or out-of-state) and a stipend of $23,000 - $25,000 per year. Part-time students are not eligible to receive funding.
Visit Funding for Ph.D. Students for additional information.
Visiting Us
How do I set up a campus visit?
You can schedule a campus tour here. You can also contact the Ph.D. Director, Dr. Suzanne Smith, and any faculty you are hoping to meet to inquire about their availability.
As a prospective student, may I meet with the Ph.D. Director?
Yes. Email Dr. Suzanne Smith, to express your interest in the program and request a meeting.
Where do I park on campus when I visit?
There is hourly parking in the Mason Pond Parking Deck near Horizon Hall. You can find general information for campus visitors here.
Where is the Ph.D. Director’s office?
Horizon Hall, Room 3214.
Program Requirements
Specific degree requirements may be found here. For an overview of how the program works, go here.
Is the Ph.D. in History available for remote/online-only enrollment?
While we do occasionally offer online synchronous graduate courses, they are insufficient in number or topic to sustain an entire degree. Coursework on the Fairfax Campus will be required.
Do you offer courses at GMU campuses besides Fairfax?
Yes. Occasionally a graduate course is offered at the Mason Square campus in Arlington, Virginia, but most are offered at the Fairfax campus.
Is there a foreign language requirement?
Students for whom a reading knowledge of particular foreign languages is necessary for their dissertation research are expected to be proficient in those languages. This would include virtually all students studying European or Comparative/World history. Students whose dissertation research is conducted entirely from materials in English do not have a foreign language requirement. Please note, however, that even some areas in U.S. history—such as borderlands, Native American history, and immigration history, among others—may require facility with foreign language.
Can I work part-time or even full-time while in the program?
Yes, unless you have a Graduate Teaching or Graduate Research Assistantship.
How many years will it take to complete my degree?
This depends entirely on your individual progress. According to statistics kept by the American Historical Association, it usually takes 6-9 years to complete a doctorate in history. George Mason University allows students six years to advance to candidacy and nine years to complete the dissertation from the time of first enrollment as a degree-seeking student.
How many credits earned from my master's degree may be counted towards reducing the total number of Ph.D. credits (72)?
The maximum number of M.A. credits that may be counted toward the Ph.D. requirements is 30. Application of transfer credits to the Ph.D. is at the discretion of the Ph.D. Director. In cases where the coursework is not listed on the transcript as History (American Studies or Military Studies, for example), you will need to provide a course syllabus before any evaluation can be made. Ultimately, however, the number of M.A. credits applied to your Ph.D. requirements will also depend on how you define your major and minor fields. If all your M.A. coursework was in European history, for example, and your major and minor fields in the Ph.D. program are in American history, then none of that M.A. coursework will count towards the Ph.D. The Ph.D. Director will not make any such decisions until after students have been admitted to the program.
Who can I ask about paperwork, procedures, or getting stuff done?
Contact the Graduate Coordinator, Lea Burgess.