The Program in the History of Science and Medicine requires an academic writing sample of not more than twenty-five pages, double spaced, to accompany the application. Normally, the writing sample should be based on research in primary source materials. Please note that applicants for the Program in History are required to write a book review for their application. This is not required for HSHM.
The deadline for submission of the application for the History graduate program is December 15. Please note that the History Department no longer requires GRE scores from applicants. Please do not self-report scores or have electronic scores sent to the Graduate School. Scores will not be reviewed. (GRE scores for The Program in History of Science & Medicine are optional.)
All graduate applications are evaluated by the HSHM faculty, but the application process is centrally coordinated by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Please see the GSAS website for information about deadlines, standardized tests, and so on. First-year classes have averaged 4 PhD students in the History of Science and Medicine Program and another 22 students in the History program.
Applicants should have a strong undergraduate background in history and/or a science relevant to their graduate interests. Outstanding performance in any field relevant to the program will be taken into consideration.
The Graduate School does not award transfer credit. In recognition of graduate work completed before matriculation at Yale, the Director of Graduate Studies may recommend to the Dean that up to three required courses be waived. Any such waiver is ordinarily not granted until the completion of the first semester’s work in the History Department. Graduate courses completed elsewhere will not appear on the Graduate School transcript.
Joint Degree Programs: MD/PhD and JD/PhD
Students may pursue a doctorate in History of Science and Medicine jointly with a degree in Medicine or Law. Standard graduate financial support is provided for the PhD phase of work toward such a joint degree. Candidates for the joint degree in law must apply for admission to both the Law School and the Graduate School. Information about the joint degree program with Medicine can be obtained from the Yale Medical School and from the special site for the History of Medicine.
Financial Aid
All PhD students are awarded a financial aid package that pays for full tuition and provides a minimum level of support per twelve-month year for up to six years. The exact amount of aid each year is adjusted for changes in the cost of living. For more information, please see the Office of Financial Aid. There are also many grants and fellowships available, especially for dissertation-related travel. This includes both internal Yale grants and external awards.
Although not required, all PhD applicants are encouraged to apply for external fellowships at the same time they apply for admission. Examples include the Jacob K. Javits fellowship from the US Department of Education and the Graduate Research Fellowship from the National Science Foundation. There are also fellowships available for research in specific subjects and regions.
There is no financial aid available for the terminal M.A. degree.