Graduate Degree Programs

Our graduate program aim at training world-class scholars in History. We offer the following degree programs:

Ph.D. in History: Become a world-class historian to pursue a successful career in teaching, research, or higher education administration.
- Ph.D. Minor in History: Become a world-class historian by training with
Joint Ph.D./J.D. Program in Law and History : Obtain top-notch training in law and history and explore complex intersections between the two fields toward a Ph.D. /J.D.
- Joint J.D./M.A. Program in Law and History : Obtain top-notch training in law and history and explore complex intersections between the two fields toward a J.D./ M.A.
Masters in History: Train with world-class faculty before pursuing a Ph.D. in History.

Over 1,500 doctoral dissertations have been completed in the department since 1895. Student accomplishments are recognized through a number of endowed awards and fellowships. Our alumni pursue successful careers in teaching, research, or higher education administration at colleges and universities both in the United States and worldwide.

Fields of Study

Our graduate students work closely with faculty members in fourteen distinct subfields: Africa, Britain, Early Modern Europe, East Asia, Jewish History, Latin America, Medieval Europe, Modern Europe, Ottoman Empire and Middle East, Russia/Eastern Europe, Science, Technology, Environment, and Medicine, South Asia, Transnational, International, and Global History, and United States. Graduate training is based on cross-cutting methodologies and approaches, ranging from gender to digital history. Explore each field and its faculty.

Beyond the Classroom

In close collaboration with Stanford faculty members and department leadership, our graduate students organize number of event series that contribute to the department's intellectual life and community. Graduate student representatives, "grad reps", act as a liaison between the department leadership and graduate student body, actively participate in department issues, and help provide a supportive community for the first year cohort as well as other graduate students. Graduate students also engage with unique research, curricular, and professionalization activities offered on Stanford campus.

Funding

The History Department offers 5 years of financial support to PhD students. No funding is offered for the co-terminal and terminal M.A. programs.

Join dozens of Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences students who gain valuable leadership skills in a multidisciplinary, multicultural community as Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS).

KHS admits up to 100 select applicants each year from across Stanford’s seven graduate schools, and delivers engaging experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders ready to address complex global challenges. As a scholar, you join a distinguished cohort, participate in up to three years of leadership programming, and receive full funding for up to three years of your studies at Stanford.

Candidates of any country may apply. KHS applicants must have earned their first undergraduate degree within the last seven years, and must apply to both a Stanford graduate program and to KHS. Stanford PhD students may also apply to KHS during their first year of PhD enrollment.

If you aspire to be a leader in your field, we invite you to apply. The KHS application deadline is October 11, 2023. Learn more about KHS admission.

How to Apply

Please review admissions for policies and requirements for each degree program by visiting the specific degree program page listed above. Please also consider reviewing the Stanford School of Humanities & Sciences' Guide on Getting into Grad School to explore which graduate program may best suit your interest, what graduate committees look for, and the benefits and challenges for pursuing a graduate degree.