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.
The Application Process
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.
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 should I include in my goals statement when I apply?
This concise statement (2-3 pages in length) should explain your research agenda, your experience with historical research and writing, any experience with digital history or humanities (not required), and why you think the George Mason University Ph.D. program is a good fit for your personal or professional goals. The statement should also note the faculty member with whom you wish to work and whether you wish to attend part-time or full-time.
Do I need to submit GRE scores?
GRE scores are optional. Verbal and writing scores are the only parts we consider.
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.
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.