Doctor of Philosophy in History - East Asian History

New York University's Department of History offers a Ph.D. in East Asian History in a field that builds on the strengths of its core faculty, and in close connection with faculties in related departments (East Asian Studies, Religious Studies, Art History, Anthropology, Sociology, and so on). Focusing on the early-modern to modern period of Chinese and Japanese history (17th century onwards), the field locates East Asia within a larger global framework. We encourage students to engage broadly with historical questions that emerged from within and that have helped shape the various East Asian societies, in their interactions with each other, and in the larger worlds of global diplomacy, culture, and capitalism.
Specific course guidelines are flexible and are tailored to the needs and abilities of each student. To qualify as a Ph.D. candidate, students normally take exams in three fields: a major field, a minor field, and a thematic field. The major and minor can be two separate chronologies of the same national history (e.g. Ming/Qing China, modern China), or two national histories (e.g. modern China and modern Japan). The thematic field should be a theoretical area of interest (e.g. gender studies, social theory, theories of nationalism, etc.), this latter field can be created in accordance with student interests and in consultation with the primary faculty advisor. The qualifying exam committee normally consists of three faculty members, two of whom must be from the History Department and one can be from a closely affiliated Department or another University (if necessary). The dissertation committee is normally comprised of five faculty members, two of whom, at most, can be from outside the Department or from another University.

You must receive your undergraduate degree (U.S. baccalaureate or equivalent) from an institution of recognized standing before enrollment in the Graduate School.
Statement of Purpose (1-2 pages double-spaced)
Resume or CV
3 Letters of Recommendation
Academic Transcripts (please note, GSAS prefers that you scan a copy of your official transcript and upload it into your online application. But before matriculating all students must submit official transcripts in hard copy form)
Official test scores for the TOEFL if the applicant is not a native English speaker (NYU GSAS code: 2596. Department code closest to your field of study or 99.)
Writing Sample (all programs except Archives and Public History): An academic writing sample is required and should not exceed 35 pages double-spaced.
Writing Sample (Archives and Public History): An academic writing sample is required. It may consist of a published article, an academic paper, and archival finding aid, or some other appropriate item and should not exceed 35 double-spaced pages.
For the TOEFL, the Graduate School recommends that the applicant achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 100 on the internet-based test. For the IELTS, a minimum overall band score of at least 7 is recommended.