Graduate Program Information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

ADMISSIONS FAQs
(see History Admissions website)

1: What is the typical academic profile of an admitted applicant?
2: Who must take the GRE and by when?
3: Who must take the TOEFL English Proficiency Exam?
4: What must I submit to apply to the Department of History?
5: Must I be a history major to apply for graduate studies in history?
Can someone look over my transcript to see what I should take to be competitive for admission?
6: Should I start on the foreign language requirements prior to entering the program?

Q1. What is the typical academic profile of an admitted applicant?

A. Refer to the History website: http://history.berkeley.edu (Links: Graduate Program, Admission; scroll toward the bottom of the page)

The department receives 350 to 400 applications and selects a class of around 26 students each year. The average GPAS of domestic students admitted for Fall 2007 were 3.81 undergraduate, 3.87graduate, and 3.84 history. For 2007, the average GRE scores were 91% verbal; 78% quantitative; and 5.5 analytical writing on a scale of 1 to 6. There is no set minimum GRE scores. The minimum acceptable score on the TOEFL is 570 out of 677 for the paper test. For the new iBT Internet-based test the aggregate minimum is 68; the minimum subscores are: 18 writing, 17 speaking (26 preferred because that is the recommended minimum for teaching, 16 listening, and 17 reading), The TOEFL scores of our admitted students usually far exceed the minimum, for example, 658 (paper) The iBT test is still too new for us to give average scores. The admissions committee bases its evaluation on a number of criteria: coursework, grades, test scores, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, the optional writing sample, and other evidence of academic accomplishment and promise.

International students should carefully review the Graduate Division web page regarding international academic equivalencies and required documentation. Go to: http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/prospective/index.shtml (Click on International Applicants)

Q2: Who must take the GRE and by when?

A. We require the general GRE test, but not the history subject test. Take the general GRE test if your native language is English or if you have completed (at time of application) at least one year of full-time academic course work (not ESL) at a college or university where English is the language of instruction. Otherwise, take the TOEFL as proof of English language proficiency. We consider GRE scores up to five years old. Take the GRE by early-November and arrange for the GRE scores be sent to Berkeley Institution Code 4833 and the GRE History Departmental Code 2799. http://www.gre.org

Q3: Who must take the TOEFL English Proficiency Exam?

A. Take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if you are from a country where the official language is not English. Exception: If you have completed at least one year of full-time academic course work (not ESL) with grades B or better at an accredited U.S. university, take the GRE instead, and submit a transcript from the university. Take the TOEFL no later than early-November. We do not accept scores from tests taken earlier than June of the previous year, and we consider only the most recent score. The minimum required is 570 points out of 677 (paper test) and 230 out of 300 (computer test), but those who are offered admission generally have far higher scores. Arrange for TOEFL scores to be sent to Berkeley Institution Code 4833 and the TOEFL History Departmental Code 86. http://www.toefl.org

Q4: What must I do to apply to the Department of History?

A: The History Admissions website gives complete instruction on applying. For 2008 entry the deadline is Monday December 3 (usually the deadline falls on December 1). In brief: Open an electronic account to begin the online Graduate Application for Admission and Fellowship. The online application is available around September 10. It is important to start early because it is through the electronic application that you will send a request to each of your recommenders to submit their letter through the Internet (unless a recommender cannot or will not do so). You will file the main Graduate Application for Admission and Fellowship (including the Statements) online, but you must snail mail us the following (and preferably in one mailer) by the deadline: History Supplemental Application, two unopened copies of transcripts, a writing sample (10 pages maximum), and unopened letters only from those recommenders who will not be filing theirs online. In addition, you must take either the general GRE or the TOEFL by early November and arrange for scores to be sent to the Berkeley History Department using the correct institution and department codes. Domestic applicants who are applying for fellowship and/or financial aid should also file (by early March ) a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA application website is http://www.fafsa.ed.gov

Q5: Must I be a history major to apply for graduate studies in history?
Can someone look over my transcript to see what I should take to be competitive for admission?

A: Most students admitted to our history graduate program have a BA or an MA in history, but we welcome applications from able students who have an historical foundation while majoring in other disciplines. We have admitted students over the years from majors such as American studies, sociology, economics, medieval studies, East Asian studies, Latin American studies, religious studies, philosophy, history of science, various sciences (mainly for history of science), and other majors. The most qualified non-history majors are those who have taken history courses in their area of declared interest. We regret that we do not have the resources to individually advise prospective applicants about what courses they need to take to be a competitive candidate for graduate admission in history. Rather, we direct interested individuals to the Berkeley undergraduate major curriculum website to get a sense of the kinds of courses taken by a typical history major. Go to: http://history.berkeley.edu/academ/undergrad/undergrad.html

Q6: Should I start on the foreign language requirements prior to entering the program?

A. The foreign language requirement for graduate students in history varies from one to four languages, depending on the field of history. One language must be fulfilled by the end of the second year and all required languages must be fulfilled before a student can advance to PhD candidacy (at the end of the 3rd or 4th year, depending on field). Each subfield (e.g. US Late Modern, Africa, etc) sets its own guidelines for how much language an applicant should already have at time of entry into the program. For most fields there are no hard and fast rules, but it is clearly advantageous for an individual to enter with as much relevant foreign language preparation as possible, so that once in the program s/he can spend less time on language acquisition and more time on history subject matter Further, the reviewers do look favorably upon evidence on an academic transcript that the applicant is capable of handling foreign language courses.

Please take note that there are a couple of fields that have clearly defined their language prerequisites for entry into the program. Applicants hoping to enter the field of medieval history should already have Latin at the intermediate-level upon entry. Applicants to ancient Greece or Rome should have ancient Greek and Latin – at least two years of one of these ancient languages and three years of the other. For more information about the language requirements go to: Language requirements and Language Fulfillment

HISTORY PROGRAM OFFERINGS FAQs
(See Higher Degrees Program Guide for complete details)

1: What graduate degrees do you offer in history?
2: Can I pursue a Berkeley history graduate degree part-time, through evening courses, or through distance learning or correspondence?
3: I would like to take just one or two courses at Berkeley for enrichment or toward a degree elsewhere. Is this possible?
4: Q: Do you offer a program in Legal History?

Q1: What graduate degrees do you offer in history?

A: We offer a combined MA/PhD and a PhD degree in history. Please note that we do not offer a stand-alone, or terminal master’s degree, but students who enter the program without an MA in history will file for the MA while progressing toward the doctorate after fulfilling MA requirements, and they should indicate MA/PhD as their degree goal when applying to our program. Applicants who already hold an MA in history indicate "PhD" as their degree goal.

Q2: Can I pursue a Berkeley history graduate degree part-time, through evening courses, or through distance learning or correspondence?

A. No. Ours is a full-time program which requires the full-time commitment of students.

Q3: I would like to take just one or two courses at Berkeley for enrichment or toward a degree elsewhere. Is this possible?

A: During the academic year, Berkeley courses are normally not open to individuals not formally admitted to Berkeley as a four-year undergraduate or a graduate student. Individuals not enrolled at Berkeley are permitted to enroll in undergraduate history courses during the Berkeley Summer Session, which is open to the public. No graduate courses are offered during Summer Session (see http://summer.berkeley.edu). In limited cases it may be possible for a non-Berkeley individual to obtain the permission of a Berkeley faculty member, the Chair, and the Dean to take a regular Berkeley course during the academic year through University Extension's "concurrent enrollment." Be aware, however, that you are considered an Extension student, not a Berkeley student, when enrolled through Concurrent Enrollment; and that Concurrent Enrollment is not intended as a means of accumulating credit toward a Berkeley degree by a student who has not been formally admitted to Berkeley. For more information about University Extension go to: http://www.unex.berkeley.edu/ (Click on Frequently Asked Questions)

Q4: Do you offer a program in Legal History?

A: The History Department is not offering a program in legal history at this time. If and when the program is resumed an appropriate announcement will be made. Meanwhile, students are free to construct a second examination field centered around legal history as part of the comparative history Option B if they adhere to the requirements of that option. For more information about Option B read about PhD field information at: http://history.berkeley.edu/academ/graduateinfo/programguide.html

HISTORY PROGRAM PRACTICES FAQs
(See Higher Degrees Program Guide for complete details)

1: How long does it take to complete the MA/PhD or the PhD program?
2: Can I transfer credits from my MA program taken elsewhere to the PhD program at Berkeley?

Q1: How long does it take to complete the MA/PhD or the PhD program?

A: The time by which students are expected to complete the PhD program is six years for most fields. It is seven years for fields requiring extensive language training (i.e., Africa, Ancient Greece and Rome, Byzantine, East Asia, Jewish, Medieval, Middle East, and South Asia).

Q2: Can I transfer credits from my MA program taken elsewhere to the PhD program at Berkeley?

A. After you complete one year of coursework toward the PhD here at Berkeley, you may petition to have courses taken for the MA elsewhere applied to our PhD course requirements. You should be prepared to produce syllabi, exams, and papers so that equivalency can be established. Typically around two courses are transferable, but fewer may be accepted if equivalency is lacking.

FINANCES FAQs

1: How much does a graduate education cost?
2: What kind of financial aid is available for history graduate students?

Q1 How much does a graduate education cost?

A. Go to http://history.berkeley.edu (Links: Graduate Program, Finances) Cost of Study: For 2007-2008 the estimated cost of graduate study at Berkeley for California residents is $9,578.50 for the academic year. The cost for non-resident domestic and international students is $24,566.50 ( Individuals who are not California residents pay $9,872.50 for registration fees and an additional $14,694 for non-resident tuition (A total of $24,566.50). The fees include student health insurance. The average cost of living and books and school supplies for the last academic (9 month) year was around $20,000. U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents of the U.S. who are not from California can establish California residency by the end of their first year in Berkeley and become exempt from nonresident tuition after the first year. More information about finances can be obtained at: http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/prospective (click on Cost and Fees under "Financing a Berkeley Education")

International students with F-1 or J-1 visas cannot be classified as a California resident and are assessed nonresident tuition during their entire graduate careers; however, once they advance to doctoral candidacy they may be eligible for a 75 percent reduction in non-resident tuition for three consecutive calendar years after advancing. Budget Requirement for Visa Documents: To receive a U.S. student visa, once they are admitted to the University international students must be prepared to document that they have the financial resources equal to or greater than the minimum annual budget. This process is not part of the application for admission. Concerning all matters involving visa requirements (including the minimum annual budge) consult with Services for International Students and Scholars, 2299 Piedmont Avenue, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-2321, or by email (siss@uclink.berkeley.edu).

Q2 What financial support is available for history graduate students?

A. The University and Department offer fellowships, readerships, teaching and research assistantships. Because these resources are limited we encourage applicants to apply for extramural avenues of funding (e.g., the Javits fellowship for those who qualify, the National Science Foundation fellowship for some History of Science students). Detailed information about funding opportunities is at http://history.berkeley.edu (Links: Graduate Program, Finances).