Applying to the Program

There are no "standard" requirements for students entering a field as diverse as History and Philosophy of Science. Some will come from an undergraduate major or a graduate degree in a science. Such students, if they have not had undergraduate course work in philosophy or history, may be asked to take some preparatory-level courses in these areas. Others will have earned an undergraduate major in philosophy or history. If they have not had a substantial amount of work in a science also, they may be asked to take some supplementary science courses as part of their HPS preparation. The extent of the background in a science expected of a student will depend on the area of doctoral research chosen. Someone who elects to specialize in ancient or medieval science will require other special skills (in language, for example) but need not have the kind of competence in a science that someone who plans to work in philosophy of quantum mechanics, say, will require. In all cases, the student will work out, with his or her advisor, what the appropriate preparation would be for the area of specialized research he or she intends to take on.

Applying

The student should initiate the application process by going to the Graduate School's online application page.

Further information about graduate admissions can be obtained by visiting the home page of the Graduate School, or from the following address:
  
  Office of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions
  University of Notre Dame
  502 Main Building
  Notre Dame, IN 46556-5602

  phone: (574) 631-7706
  e-mail: GradAd@nd.edu

The application for admission should include all admissions materials (academic transcripts, at least three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a relevant writing sample) and the application fee of $35 ($50 for applications received after December 1). All items must be received before January 15. Ordinarily, students are admitted only in the fall, but in exceptional cases, mid-year admission may be permitted.

Because the program is a doctoral one, applications for a terminal M.A. degree will ordinarily not be accepted.

Admission to doctoral studies in HPS requires approval not only from the Admissions Committee in HPS but also from the appropriate committee in either history or philosophy, depending on which of the two tracks the student elects to follow. Since doctoral students in HPS are expected to satisfy Ph.D. requirements in either philosophy or history as part of their larger program, they have to meet the standards for admission into one or other of these doctoral programs. However, initial application materials should be directed only to HPS unless an applicant wishes to be considered independently for admission to some other program of the University.

When applying, be sure to indicate on the application form or in the statement of purpose the track to which you intend to apply, either the history track or the philosophy track.