Doctor of Philosophy in History - Jewish History

The study of the social, political, cultural, and religious history of the Jewish people is one of the most dynamic areas of modern historical research and teaching. At the University of Maryland, our courses range chronologically from biblical to rabbinic, from medieval to modern and contemporary. Faculty specialties include the Land of Israel in late antiquity, Italy in the early modern period, the Jews of Central Europe in the nineteenth and twentieth century, and the Holocaust. Both at the undergraduate and graduate levels, students can study such issues as the relationship of Jews and non-Jews, the changing nature of Jewish identity, how Jews have functioned as a minority group in diverse cultures in the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas, and how Jews have transformed Jewish culture in response to the challenges posed by the societies in which they have lived. Students can draw on the rich resources of the University's Meyerhoff Center for Jewish Studies (to which Jewish history faculty also belong) and the Gildenhorn Institute for Israel Studies, which offer courses on the Hebrew Bible, the Dead Sea Scrolls, medieval and modern Jewish philosophy, Hebrew and other Jewish literatures and film, and Israeli society, culture, and politics. Rich library holdings at the University, as well as libraries, archives, and research centers in the Washington area, make the University of Maryland an exciting place to study and do research in Jewish history.

Statement of Purpose: Other than the required questions for the Statement of Purpose asked by the University of Maryland, the History Department asks applicants to include content that emphasizes academic and research interests:
what is the applicant interested in studying and why,
what the applicant might be interested in working on for the M.A. thesis or Ph.D. dissertation and
how the applicant's prior education has provided good training for graduate work in the particular field of interest.
Transcript(s)
TOEFL/IELTS/PTE (international graduate students)
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
Letters of Recommendation (3)
CV/Resume
Writing Sample: Research paper of about 20 pages, uploaded to the Upload Requirements section of the application.
Description of Research/Work Experience
As a demonstration of our commitment to excellence in historical scholarship and education, admission to our degree programs is highly competitive. It is important that each applicant clearly articulate his/her academic preparation and qualifications for graduate study at Maryland. All prospective applicants are encouraged to make contact with the faculty in the area(s) of interest. Faculty play an important role in the admissions decision. Prospective applicants are also encouraged to make contact with current graduate students to learn more about their experiences. The History Graduate Student Association can facilitate communications with current students.

Although there are exceptions, the minimum overall grade point average is 3.25 for admission to a master's degree program and 3.50 for admission to the doctoral program. The admissions committee would typically expect a higher grade point average in past coursework in history and related disciplines.

iBT TOEFL - 96 Overall (Speaking 22, Listening 24, Reading 26, Writing 24)
IELTS - 7 Overall (Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 7, Speaking 6.5)