Admissions & Financial Support

APPLY NOW REQUEST INFORMATION

The application deadline has recently changed and is now December 15.

How to apply

Notre Dame uses an online application. Please consult the Application Instructions link within the application once you have received your PIN and are logged in.

Requirements for admission

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and a master's degree in theology, or the equivalent

• Facility in some of the languages required for study in the department

• The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is recommended, but not required, for applicants to the program

Application documents

The following materials must be submitted via the online application system:

• A statement of intent (600 to 800 words; no more than 3 pages) and a CV

• Unofficial transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended (official transcripts required upon admittance)

• Three letters of recommendation

• A Waiver of Access form for each letter of recommendation

• A writing sample with a recommended length of 4,000 to 6,000 words

• For all nonnative speakers of English, TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores

• The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is recommended, but not required, for those applying to the program. For applicants who do take the GRE, an official record of the results should be uploaded with the other application materials. The program looks for at least 4.5 on the analytical section and 3.10 cumulative on the other two sections, the score for the verbal component being the more important of the two.

Graduate fellowships and assistantships

Full-time students in good standing are eligible for a 12-month annual stipend ($39,000 for students starting in 2026-2027) for up to five years and a full-tuition scholarship for up to eight years.

5+1 Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

Students who complete the program in five years may be eligible for a one-year postdoctoral fellowship at Notre Dame.

Premier fellowships

The Graduate School awards premier fellowships on a competitive basis. These fellowships provide full tuition, an increased stipend, and full coverage of the University's health insurance premium. More information is available on the Graduate School website.

In cases where students are funded by an extramural source (e.g., a religious order), the University normally covers tuition costs.

More details

• Students are not responsible for any service to the Department during their first and fourth years

• During their second and third years, graduate students are assigned to a member of the faculty as graduate assistants (about 12 hours per week during the academic year)

• In their fifth year, students teach up to two independent courses

• The department provides travel grants for students to present papers at conferences, network with colleagues, and interview for jobs. The Graduate School and Graduate Student Association also offer grants to travel to conferences and archives on a competitive basis.