Guide to Graduate Study in History

III. Admissions

A. Admission to the M.A. Program in History. Students are admitted to the graduate program by the dean of the graduate school upon the recommendation of the department’s graduate program coordinator or department chair. All persons applying to the M.A. program in history must submit the following to the Graduate School.

1. A minimum score of 550 on the verbal section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and a minimum score of 5 on the writing section (GRE scores more than 5 years old relative to date of initial enrollment are not accepted).

2. Final transcript(s) for the B.A. sent by the applicant’s undergraduate school(s), showing a minimum Grade Point Ratio (GPR) of 3.0 in history courses; and 2.5 in all courses during the last two undergraduate years.

3. Three letters of reference, preferably from undergraduate professors.

4. A sample term paper.

5. A personal statement addressing the applicant’s background in history, intended areas of specialization, and reasons for applying.

6. A completed Graduate School application form.

Additionally, if the applicant has 1) a GPR of less than 3.0 in the history major for the B.A. degree and/or 2) a B.A. degree, including the major and minor, in subject(s) other than history, he or she shall take a minimum of four upper-level undergraduate history courses at Clemson or at another accredited university or college and receive a grade of “B” or higher in each course before admission to the program. The only exception to this course requirement shall be persons who demonstrate that, as a part of their B.A. degree, they completed a minimum of four upper-level undergraduate history courses with a grade of “B” or higher. All exceptions to 1 and 2 require the consent of the department’s Graduate Committee.

B. Application Deadline: Applications for fall semester must be postmarked no later than the previous February 20, and for spring semester no later than the previous November 1. Please note that consideration for assistantships begins in January and continues until all available slots are filled.