Admissions

Program in History

Jump to: The Program in History of Science & Medicine

The deadline for submission of the application for the History graduate program has been changed to December 15.

The department requires a short book review (maximum 1,000 words) to accompany the application.  It should cover the book that has most shaped the applicant’s understanding of the kind of work he or she would like to do as a historian.

In addition, the department requires an academic writing sample of not more than twenty-five pages, double spaced, to be submitted.  Normally, the writing sample should be based on research in primary source materials.

Students are admitted to graduate study by the Graduate School on the recommendation of the Department. First year classes have averaged 22 students in the Ph.D. program. Although the vast majority of recent applicants have been undergraduate History majors, the Department encourages applications from those who, while now intending a professional career in History, majored in other subjects as undergraduates.

The Graduate School does not award transfer credit. In recognition of graduate work completed before matriculation at Yale, the Dean may, however, waive a portion of the course requirements for the Ph.D. Any such waiver is ordinarily not granted until the completion of the first semester’s work in the History Department. Graduate courses completed elsewhere will not appear on the Graduate School transcript.

Application is via the online application of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. For more information about the admissions process, go to the Graduate School Admissions page.

Prospective applicants may direct questions about minority student recruitment to the Diversity Liaison coordinator at history.dgs@yale.edu.

Program in History of Science and Medicine

 
The Program in the History of Science and Medicine requires an academic writing sample of not more than twenty-five pages, double spaced, to accompany the application. Normally, the writing sample should be based on research in primary source materials. Please note that applicants for the Program in History are required to write a book review for their application. This is not required for HSHM.
 
All graduate applications are evaluated by the HSHM faculty, but the application process is centrally coordinated by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Please see the GSAS website for information about deadlines, standardized tests, and so on. First year classes have averaged 4 students in the History of Science and Medicine Ph.D. Program and another 22 students in the History program.
 
Applicants should have a strong undergraduate background in history and/or a science relevant to their graduate interests. Outstanding performance in any field relevant to the program will be taken into consideration.
 
The Graduate School does not award transfer credit. In recognition of graduate work completed before matriculation at Yale, the Director of Graduate Studies may recommend to the Dean that up to three required courses be waived. Any such waiver is ordinarily not granted until the completion of the first semester’s work in the History Department. Graduate courses completed elsewhere will not appear on the Graduate School transcript.