FAQs

Here are answers to questions that prospective graduate students frequently ask.

  • Eligibility and Application
  • Is a master's degree required for admission into the doctoral program?

    You do not need a master's degree to apply for admission into the doctoral program. A bachelor's degree is sufficient, as long as you meet the other admission requirements.

    Is the GRE exam a prerequisite for admission?

    No, the GRE is no longer required for admission into the program. All students that meet the university's graduate Admissions Requirements and Eligibility Criteria are welcome to apply. You can find our full list of our program’s Admission Requirements on our website

    What grade point average is required for acceptance?

    The UC Davis Office of Graduate Studies requires a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4-point scale.

    My undergraduate college/university is not on a 4.0 GPA scale.  How should I list my GPA on the application?          

    List the GPA as it appears on your undergraduate transcript based on the GPA scale that is used by your college.  Our program will convert it on our end to the 4.0 GPA scale.

    I do not wish to pursue a Ph.D. degree; I want to earn only a master’s degree. Should I apply?

    Perhaps not. We do not offer a standalone master's program. Admitted students that do not have an M.A. in History have the opportunity to earn an M.A. as part of their academic path toward a Ph.D. degree. Students should work with the Graduate Program Coordinator to file a petition to receive a M.A. degree after completing qualifying courses.

    I already have an M.A. degree in history from another institution. Will that help reduce the time required for me to earn an Ph.D. degree in your program?

    We would have to review your transcripts individually in order to determine if any doctoral program requirements can be waived. In general, the department will waive one major field course for students with an M.A. degree in History. 

    What is the deadline for applying for admission and when will I find out the results?

    January 5th of each year. The Graduate Program Committee sends out offer letters starting in mid to late February. 

    Do I need to send official transcripts?

    Not at the time of application. If a student is admitted to UCD, the campus will require an official transcript at that time.  

    I cannot obtain my transcripts before the January 5 deadline; can the deadline be extended?

    We allow a "grace period" of one week.  The Department of History will review all applications that are received by the Jan 5th deadline.

    How long should my Statement of Purpose and Personal History statement be?

    Both statements are entered separately into textboxes within the admissions application.  Each textbox is 4000 characters, which is around 600 words.  

    For additional guidelines, please visit the Office of Graduate Studies website.

    What should I submit as a writing sample?

    As part of the online application process, you will be required to upload one English-language sample of your writing. Choose a sample that best portrays your scholarly writing skills. The subject matter does not necessarily have to pertain to history. If you have a master’s degree, you may use your completed M.A. thesis, or one or two of the initial chapters from a thesis in progress.

    From whom should I seek the letters of recommendation?

    The letters of recommendation should be from persons who can evaluate your scholarly potential. We suggest obtaining at least two letters from faculty members with whom you have studied or worked. You must submit the letters electronically through the online application system. Please ensure that all three letters, along with other required materials, are submitted at most one week after the Jan 5th application deadline. After you have submitted your online application, you can check the status of your application by periodically logging in to the online application system and seeing which materials have been received.

  • Acceptance
  • How many applications do you usually receive each year?

    We receive in the range of 120 to 150 applications each year.

    How competitive is the selection process?

    The Department of History’s graduate program applicant review process is highly selective; we usually make admission offers to no more than about 15 percent of doctoral program applicants.

    Are applicants who already have an M.A. degree favored for admission over applicants who don’t?

    No. What matters is how well the prospective student's application materials meet the admission requirements, and how well the applicant's research interests and goals match the strengths and goals of the department.

    If I initially decline an offer to enroll, can I change my mind later and accept?

    We are not able to reoffer admission to a student who declines an offer; if you decline an offer of admission, you may re-apply next year or in a subsequent year.

    Can I transfer credits from another university?

    All work toward a UC Davis graduate degree usually is done on the UC Davis campus. However, with the consent of the graduate adviser, some coursework taken elsewhere may be credited toward a student's degree, provided that the units were not used to satisfy requirements for another degree. You might be asked to send the syllabus of the requested course(s) so that the graduate adviser can compare your earlier course(s) with the corresponding course(s) here.

  • The Program and Curriculum 
  • What cohort size can I anticipate?

    Cohort sizes in the department usually range from 6 to 10 enrollees.

    How much time is required to obtain a doctoral degree?

    Graduate students typically take 5 to 7 years to complete the qualifications for a Ph.D. degree.

    What is the nature of the work that students are expected to perform?

    Students in the doctoral program enroll in course work, primarily consisting of graduate seminars, and must complete qualifying examinations over the span of three years leading up to their work on a publishable dissertation. The dissertation phase consists largely of original research and analysis as well as defense of the thesis in an oral examination.

    Does the department have a time limit for completion of the dissertation?

    Graduate students typically complete their dissertation within 2 to 4 years after they have advanced to candidacy. 

  • Financial Support 
  • What types of financial aid are available to graduate students at UC Davis?

    The department typically issues 5-year funding offers to admitted students through a combination of academic student employment, departmental stipends and fellowships.  More information is found here https://history.ucdavis.edu/financial-aid  Applicants are also encouraged to apply for internal fellowships offered by UC Davis; the fellowship application is part of the online admissions application.  Filing a FAFSA if you are a domestic student is also encouraged.  https://financialaid.ucdavis.edu/graduate/apply

  • International Students
  • What are the English language requirements?

    Detailed information on English language requirements are listed at https://history.ucdavis.edu/admission-requirements

    How can I find out if my test scores were received? 

    Please note, it takes approximately two to four weeks after the test date for UC Davis to receive your scores from the exam administrator.  Once you have submitted your application, you will be able to check to see if your scores have been received by visiting your Application Status Page. Departments and Graduate Studies cannot check on the status for you.

    Where can I find out about visas?

    Please read both the Pre-Arrival and Arrival checklists available from the Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) at https://siss.ucdavis.edu/checklists  Here is a copy of the resource guide.