Graduate Admissions

The graduate program in history offers concentrations in Medieval History and Modern History. Course offerings typically focus on Europe and the Americas, the heart of our M.A. and Ph.D. programs, although the department regularly offers courses on transnational or global themes. One of the great strengths of the program is that graduate students take only graduate courses. Although some of these courses (at the 5000 level) include a few advanced undergraduate history majors, no graduate students take undergraduate lecture-style courses. The graduate syllabuses are demanding, normally requiring a minimum of 300-400 pages per week of common reading, discussion, and writing assignments that typically add up to 20-25 pages, most of which require additional outside reading and library research. Consult our course offerings and syllabuses by clicking on the appropriate link above.

Students interested in applying for an M.A. or Ph.D. degree in the Department of History should contact the director of graduate studies. You may also wish to contact faculty in your field directly via email, letter, or phone. The following links take you to the website of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Open the GSAS on-line inquiry form if you have any general questions regarding graduate school at Fordham. Follow this link to apply on-line. All non-matriculated students who are interested in taking classes should fill out an application form.

Outstanding undergraduate history students at Fordham, with grade point averages of 3.2 or better, may apply to the Accelerated M.A. Program. Students submit their applications in the spring of their junior year, and enter the program in the senior year when they take two graduate courses. These courses count toward the B.A. and are accepted for the M.A. at Fordham. With credit for the two courses, students are able to complete a History M.A. in two terms of full-time study in their fifth year. Students from the FCRH, FCLC, and FCLS campuses are eligible to opt for early admissions into the M.A. program, though all courses are given at Rose Hill. Contact Dr. Nancy Curtin, the Graduate Chair, at (718) 817-0730 for more information.

Each year, the Department of History receives several inquiries from students who are interested in applying for an M.A. in Medieval Studies. For more information, consult the website for the Center for Medieval Studies.

In general, the following are necessary to be considered for admission for a graduate degree in the Department of History.

Admission Requirements for the M.A.

Bachelor’s degree from an approved college or university (unless applying to the Accelerated M.A. Program)

Six courses in history in undergraduate program

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

For foreign students, English proficiency exams such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

GPA of at least 3.0 (B)

A writing sample, minimum of 5-7 pages, is strongly advised

Three letters of recommendation from former professors

Official transcripts of school records

Admission Requirements for the Ph.D.

All of the above. In addition, you will need:

Master’s degree in history from an approved college or university

GPA of at least 3.5 (B+)

A writing sample, minimum of 5-7 pages, is strongly advised