Graduate Degree Programs

Our graduate program aim at training world-class History scholars, legal practitioners, and professionals.   Over 1,500 doctoral dissertations have been completed in the department since 1895.  History graduate student 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. 

We offer the following six degree programs:

• Doctoral 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: Complement your Stanford doctoral training by mastering historical thinking and methods.
  • 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.
• Master of Arts Programs
  • Terminal Masters in History: Train with world-class faculty before pursuing a Ph.D. in History.
  • Joint J.D./M.A. Program in Law and History : Obtain top-notch training in law and history toward a J.D./ M.A.
  • Co- terminal Masters in History: A unique degree option for active Stanford undergraduate students who want to explore their passion in History before entering graduate school or professional life.

Please review policies and requirements for each degree program by visiting the specific pages listed above. Detailed information is also available in Ph.D. and M.A. Handbooks posted at this link. 

Graduate Fields of Study

Graduate training is based on cross-cutting methodologies and approaches, ranging from gender to digital history. Students work closely with department faculty in fourteen distinct fields: 

• Africa
• Britain
• United States
• Early Modern Europe
• Medieval Europe
• Modern Europe
• Russia/Eastern Europe
• East Asia
• Jewish History
• Latin America
• South Asia
• Ottoman Empire and Middle East
• Science, Technology, Environment, and Medicine
• Transnational, International, and Global History 

Funding

We provide continuous 12-month funding to History Ph.D. students for up to the first five years of the doctoral degree program in History. Comprised of fellowship and assistantships, the funding package provides tuition, fellowship stipend or assistantship salary, summer stipend, and health insurance.  Additional grants for relocation, language training, research, and conference travel are also provided. For detailed information, please see Ph.D. Funding page. 

We do not offer departmental funding  to co-terminal and terminal M.A. students and Ph.D. Minor students. 

Stanford's Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS) Program offers 3 years of graduate funding in connection with degree-granting Stanford units. KHS admits up to 100 applicants each year including among Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences students. The program focuses on training visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders ready to address complex global challenges. The KHS application deadline is October 8, 2025 (1:00pm PST). Learn more about KHS admission.

Beyond the Classroom

In close collaboration with the department faculty, graduate students organize 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 graduate student student community. Graduate students also engage with unique research, curricular, and professionalization activities offered on Stanford campus. 

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.

All application materials are available online. No information is sent via snail mail. Interested applicants are invited to view a Guide to Graduate Admissions at https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/. 

Questions? 

Please contact Arthur Palmon (Assistant Director of Student Services).