Frequently Asked Questions

When is the application deadline?
What matters most in considering my application?
What kind of financial support is available from MAPH?
What is tuition for a MAPH student?
Can I take any of the courses I want to take? Can I take all of my electives in a single discipline?
How much guidance is available, especially since I am a returning student and am not sure what direction I want to take academically?
What do the preceptors do?
Is the MAPH Core Course optional?
What are the MAPH requirements?
Can I do the program part-time?
Must I start in the fall quarter?
Must I finish in a year?
What are my housing options?
What have past graduates gone on to do?

When is the application deadline?: The application deadline for MAPH is December 15, unless the 15th falls on a weekend, in which case the deadline is the immediately-following Monday. Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a first come, first served basis until all slots for the class are filled. See our admissions page for more information.
What matters most in considering my application?: While all components of the application are important, your statement of purpose and writing sample are of most interest to the MAPH Admissions Committee. MAPH has always held that some promising students do not do well on standardized tests. Therefore, less attention is given to GRE scores than to the statement of purpose, writing sample and transcripts.
What kind of financial support is available from MAPH?: MAPH offers some merit-based, half-tuition scholarships. There is no separate application for these; just check the box on your application's Financial Data sheet to indicate that you want to be considered for aid. You will be notified by the Humanities Dean of Students if you are awarded aid. Educational loans and work study are available to all MAPH students who meet the usual need qualifications. You can contact the University of Chicago Student Loan Administration regarding the necessary forms for loans and work study.
What is tuition for a MAPH student?: MAPH students follow Tuition Schedule A for the Graduate Divisions of Humanities & Social Sciences. MAPH students register for three courses per quarter in each of the three quarters of the standard academic year (Autumn, Winter, Spring). Tuition and fees are posted on the website of the Office of the Registrar
Can I take any course I want to take? Can I take all of my electives in a single discipline?: Yes, MAPH students may take any course open to all first-year graduate students. Many MAPH students choose to concentrate in one discipline. Some choose to take courses in several disciplines, in the Social Sciences Division, or the Law, Divinity, or Business schools because their research demands work in many areas. You can use your seven electives in MAPH to roam or to concentrate as suits.
How much guidance is available, especially since I am a returning student and am not sure what direction I want to take academically?: Each student is assigned an academic advisor—a professor at the University —who offers suggestions and guidance about courses, about professors you might want to work with, or any other concerns you might have. The MAPH Co-directors, Associate Director, Program Coordinator, Writing Advisor, and Mentors are also available for consultation. And each MAPH student works with an advanced doctoral candidate preceptor all year. The preceptors know graduate study in the Humanities Division from the inside, and are often the best sources of information about particular professors and classes. The preceptors are completeing their own professional training; they have recent experience thinking about and clarifying academic directions and career goals.
What do the preceptors do?: Preceptors lead discussion groups during the Core Course and advise your thesis work. They are also available to discuss questions regarding courses and professors. Since they are graduate students, primarily working on their dissertations, they can offer very helpful information about graduate study at the University of Chicago.
Is the MAPH Core Course optional?: No, the Core Course is required. Core is a helpful introductions to contemporary humanistic inquiry and to graduate-level work, as well as an opportunity to get to know your fellow MAPHers and to develop a working relationship with your precept group.
What are the MAPH requirements?: The MAPH requirements are the Core Course— Foundations of Interpretive Theory, and the Thesis Writing Workshops. The rest of your program is up to you.
Can I do the program part-time?: Yes, you can complete the program part-time. If this sounds like a good option for you, we ask that you state it in your application, or notify MAPH's Associate Director before beginning your course of study. There is a five-year statute of limitation for completing MAPH.
Must I start in the fall quarter?: Yes. It is essential that all MAPH students begin with the MAPH Core Course at the start of their program.
Must I finish in a year?: We highly recommend you try and complete the program in a year, as it is very difficult to complete coursework after the course has finished. Many students take incompletes for various reasons; however, it is often the case that once you leave the work behind and continue taking classes, or leave for a job, planning to finish over the summer, it becomes harder and harder to finish the work and get it graded. There is a five-year statute of limitation for completing coursework for MAPH.
What are my housing options?: Once you have been accepted to the program, the University Housing Office will send you information about University Student Housing. This is often a convenient way to find housing near the University and it saves you a lot of time. Of course, many students also choose to find housing on their own, in or outside of Hyde Park. The Program Coordinator can help with questions, but it is up to you to set up housing.
What have past graduates gone on to do?: Past graduates have gone on to PhD and other professional programs, found jobs in publishing, museums, foundation work, business, dot coms, teaching, etc. Check out "the after MAPH" for details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Prospective Students