Application Procedures and Dates

More information about applying to graduate study programs at Loyola University Chicago can be found on the Future Students section of The Graduate School Website. This includes links to the Application Process, Degree Programs, Funding your Education, and Tuition.

To learn more about the History graduate programs please complete the Request for Information form.

To begin your application to a History graduate program you can apply now.

For specific information about the History graduate programs, please contact:
Dr. Benjamin Johnson
Graduate Program Director
bjohnson25@luc.edu

________________________________

Admission Deadlines

Fall admission:

PhD applications are only accepted for fall admission with a deadline date of January 1
All traditional MA and MA Public History applicants are encouraged to apply by January 1 and no later than May 1 for fall admission

Spring admission:

Traditional MA applicants can apply by October 1 for spring admission

Applying for the MA Programs

Bachelor's degree and a B average. Normally, students should have 18 hours of undergraduate coursework in history. You must send official transcripts of all undergraduate work as well as any graduate work to Graduate and Professional Enrollment Management (gradapp@luc.edu).
A one-to-two-page statement of your objectives in applying for the MA.
Three letters of recommendation, preferably from referees familiar with work in the field of history.
A sample of your historical writing, preferably a research paper written for a history course.
A completed application form.

All of the above are submitted through the University's online application system.

Applying for the PhD Program

Bachelor's degree (in History or American Studies); graduate coursework (often a Master's degree) at the B+ level. We will need official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work. You must send official transcripts of all undergraduate work as well as any graduate work to Graduate and Professional Enrollment Management (gradapp@luc.edu).
A 1-2 page statement of your objectives for applying for the degree. This should include a clear identification of potential doctoral focus as well as an indication of the faculty members appropriate for the pursuit of the degree.
Three letters of recommendation, preferably from referees familiar with your work in history.
A Master's Essay, Master's Thesis, or a substantial research paper written for a history course.
A completed application form.

All of the above are submitted through the University's online application system.

Financial Support

The History Department offers a limited number of Graduate Assistantships to students enrolled in the doctoral program. We only accept Ph.D. students who are funded through these GAships, and the number available depends on Graduate School support from year to year.

Ph.D. students are encouraged to compete for Crown Fellowships for Humanities and Schmitt Leadership Scholar Fellowships for Dissertation Research when they reach candidacy.

All students are also encouraged to compete for sources of funding from outside the History Department. Please see other funding recommendations on the Graduate School's Financial Assistance and Funding website.

For information about applying to graduate study programs at Loyola University Chicago, please see the Future Students page of The Graduate School website. This includes links on the Application Process, Degree Programs, Funding your Education, and Tuition.

You can also select "Apply Now" to go directly to The Graduate School's application portal to create an account:

Apply Now

For specific information about the History graduate programs, please contact:

Dr. Patricia Mooney-Melvin
Graduate Program Director
pmooney@luc.edu

Dr. Theodore Karamanski
Public History Director
tkarama@luc.edu

PhD applications are only accepted for fall admission with a deadline date of January 1
MA Public History applicants interested in assistantships or fellowships must also apply by January 1
All traditional MA and other MA Public History applicants must apply by May 1 for fall admission or by October 1 for spring admission

Bachelor's degree and a B average. Normally, students should have 18 hours of undergraduate coursework in history. You must send official transcripts of all undergraduate work as well as any graduate work.
A one to two page statement of your objectives in applying for the MA
Three letters of recommendation, preferably from referees familiar with work in the field of history.
A sample of your historical writing, preferably a research paper written for a history course.
A completed application form.

All of the above are submitted through the University's electronic application system.

Bachelor's degree (in History or American Studies); graduate coursework (often a Master's degree) at the B+ level. We will need official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work.
A 1-2 page statement of your objectives for applying for the degree. This should include a clear identification of potential doctoral focus as well as an indication of the faculty members appropriate for the pursuit of the degree.
Three letters of recommendation, preferably from referees familiar with your work in history.
A Master's Essay, Master's Thesis, or a substantial research paper written for a history course.
A completed application form.

All of the above are submitted through the University's electronic application system.

The History Department offers a limited number of Graduate Assistantships to students enrolled in the doctoral program and in the M.A. in Public History program. Assistantships are not available for the traditional (non-Public) M.A. program in History. We only accept Ph.D. students who are funded through these GAships, and the number depends on Graduate School support from year to year.

Ph.D. students are encouraged to compete for Crown Fellowships for Humanities and Schmitt Fellowships for Dissertation Research.

All students are also encouraged to compete for sources of funding from outside the History Department. Please see other funding recommendations and learn more about Graduate Student Finance from The Graduate School.

To learn more about the History graduate programs please complete the Request for Information form.

To begin your application to a History graduate program you can apply now.

For specific information about the History graduate programs, please contact:
Dr. Benjamin Johnson
Graduate Program Director
bjohnson25@luc.edu

________________________________

Admission Deadlines

Fall admission:

PhD applications are only accepted for fall admission with a deadline date of January 1
All traditional MA and MA Public History applicants are encouraged to apply by January 1 and no later than May 1 for fall admission

Spring admission:

Traditional MA applicants can apply by October 1 for spring admission

Applying for the MA Programs

Bachelor's degree and a B average. Normally, students should have 18 hours of undergraduate coursework in history. You must send official transcripts of all undergraduate work as well as any graduate work to Graduate and Professional Enrollment Management (gradapp@luc.edu).
A one-to-two-page statement of your objectives in applying for the MA.
Three letters of recommendation, preferably from referees familiar with work in the field of history.
A sample of your historical writing, preferably a research paper written for a history course.
A completed application form.

All of the above are submitted through the University's online application system.

Applying for the PhD Program

Bachelor's degree (in History or American Studies); graduate coursework (often a Master's degree) at the B+ level. We will need official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work. You must send official transcripts of all undergraduate work as well as any graduate work to Graduate and Professional Enrollment Management (gradapp@luc.edu).
A 1-2 page statement of your objectives for applying for the degree. This should include a clear identification of potential doctoral focus as well as an indication of the faculty members appropriate for the pursuit of the degree.
Three letters of recommendation, preferably from referees familiar with your work in history.
A Master's Essay, Master's Thesis, or a substantial research paper written for a history course.
A completed application form.

All of the above are submitted through the University's online application system.

Financial Support

Ph.D. students are encouraged to compete for Crown Fellowships for Humanities and Schmitt Leadership Scholar Fellowships for Dissertation Research when they reach candidacy.

Student Testimonials

Anna Claspy, MA in Public History ('19)

"The opportunities for hands-on learning are endless. From internships to class projects, the department makes it possible for you to gain practical experience in the community with cultural institutions. This background gives Loyola students a range of skills to draw on when we enter the field..."

Jeremy Bucher, MA in History ('18)

"What attracted me most was the urban history research interests held by many faculty members. I took advantage of expertise in both public and urban history to build the skills I deemed most beneficial to my future career, with ample support..."

Student Testimonials

Tara Hinkley, MA/MLIS Dual Degree Program ('21)

"Loyola's dual MA/MLIS program with Dominican has helped me hone my skills in librarianship, archives work and museum oriented work. My classes at Loyola provided connections with professionals doing history in many different ways and it truly opened my eyes to the incredible breadth of opportunities available to public historians..."

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