Department Policies

Transfer Policy

Students wishing to transfer credit toward a Bachelor of Arts in history must schedule a formal meeting with an advisor at the Wilson Advising Center.

Progression

The progress of individual students is monitored by the Wilson Advising Center.

Advising

Incoming students must seek advising from the Wilson Advising Center on requirements in the major and on general education requirements. Every student majoring in history must keep regular appointments with his or her advisor in the Wilson Advising Center. Failure to seek academic advising may result in delays of anticipated date of graduation.

For More Information

Please feel free to contact the department.

Admission Requirements

All materials must be submitted electronically through the Graduate College website. Please do not submit application materials directly to the History Department.

Students must meet the following minimum requirements and submit the following materials to be considered for admission to the MA program:

1. B.A. or equivalent from an accredited institution, with a minimum GPA of 3.0, at least a 3.3 GPA in history courses, and a minimum of 18 credits in history.
2. A 500-word Statement of Intent in which the applicant explains:
   1. The reason the applicant wants to pursue a MA in History.
   2. The specific time/place/theme(s) that the applicant plans to study.
   3. The ways in which the applicant’s background and training and has prepared them for MA study.
   4. The faculty member(s) whose research interests would complement the applicant’s plans for study. Make a case for coming to our department in particular.
   5. The ways in which a MA from UNLV would support the applicant’s long-term career goals.
3. A substantial (20-25 page) Writing Sample, preferably based on primary-source research, which demonstrates the applicant’s strength as a researcher/writer.
4. Transcripts from previous, college-level institutions.
5. Two Letters of Recommendation from former instructors addressing the applicant’s preparedness for MA-level work in history.

The Graduate Committee in the History Department reviews all applications to the graduate program and forwards its recommendations to the Graduate College. Decisions are based on a number of factors, including strength of statement of purpose, writing sample, letters of recommendation, undergraduate GPA, and concordance of student areas of interest and areas of faculty expertise.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are planning on applying for a Graduate Assistant (GA) position, which includes tuition remission, health insurance, and an annual stipend in exchange for 20 hours of work a week, you must apply for one (through the Grad Rebel Gateway system) at the same time that you apply for the program itself.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the History Department’s Graduate Coordinator.

Admission Requirements

All materials must be submitted electronically through the Graduate College website. Please do not submit application materials directly to the History Department.

Students must meet the following minimum requirements, and submit the following materials, to be considered for admission to the PhD program:

1. B.A. or equivalent from an accredited institution, with a minimum GPA of 3.0, at least a 3.3 GPA in history courses, and a minimum of 18 credits in history OR M.A. or equivalent from an accredited institution, with a minimum GPA of 3.5.
   Whether applying with a B.A. or an M.A., applicants must have completed significant course work at the upper division or graduate level in either American or European history (depending on their intended field of study).
2. A 500-word Statement of Intent in which the applicant explains:
   1. The reason the applicant wants to pursue a PhD in History.
   2. The specific time/place/theme(s) that the applicant plans to study.
   3. The ways in which the applicant’s background and training and has prepared them for doctoral study.
   4. The faculty member(s) whose research interests would complement the applicant’s plans for study. Make a case for coming to our department in particular.
   5. The ways in which a PhD from UNLV would support the applicant’s long-term career goals.
3. A substantial (20-25 page) Writing Sample, preferably based on primary-source research, which demonstrates the applicant’s strength as a researcher/writer.
4. Transcripts from previous, college-level institutions.
5. Three Letters of Recommendation from former instructors addressing the applicant’s preparedness for PhD-level work in history.

The Graduate Committee in the History Department reviews all applications to the graduate program and forwards its recommendations to the Graduate College. Decisions are based on a number of factors, including strength of statement of purpose, writing sample, letters of recommendation, undergraduate GPA, and concordance of student areas of interest and areas of faculty expertise.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are planning on applying for a Graduate Assistant (GA) position, which includes tuition remission, health insurance, and an annual stipend in exchange for 20 hours of work a week, you must apply for one (through the Grad Rebel Gateway system) at the same time that you apply for the program itself.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the History Department’s Graduate Coordinator.