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 are 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, Eastern Europe/Russia, History of Science, Medicine and Technology, Jewish History, Latin America, Medieval Europe, Modern Europe, Ottoman Empire and Middle East, 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.

Knight-Hennessy Scholars is designed to build a multidisciplinary community of Stanford graduate students dedicated to finding creative solutions to the world's greatest challenges. The program awards up to 100 high-achieving students every year with full funding to pursue a graduate education at Stanford, including the terminal Master's and PhD in History. To be considered, you must apply to Knight-Hennessy Scholars by October 6, 2021, and separately apply to the History department by December 7, 2021.

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.