Application Requirements

MAPH office

Each year, the Master of Arts Program in the Humanities (MAPH) welcomes a cohort of 100-130 students with varying academic and professional interests, an unusual mix of life experience, and significant academic promise.

Applications for MAPH 2025-2026 open on September 3rd, 2024 (link below).

Part-time study options are available for students with limited availability. Please contact us if you have any questions about part-time enrollment!

Application Deadlines

Round Deadline Admission Decision Notification
Round 1 January 6, 2025 March 2025
Round 2 April 30, 2025 June 2025
BA/MA February 3, 2025 April 2025

Application Requirements

All MAPH applicants must submit the following materials:

  • Online graduate application
  • Statement of academic purpose (No more than 1000 words, single spaced)
  • Critical writing sample (10-15 pages)
  • Three letters of recommendation from previous academic instructors
  • Transcripts for all previous degrees and coursework
  • $90 non-refundable application fee

Additionally, applicants to the graduate schools and divisions of the University of Chicago, regardless of citizenship, must either meet one of our waiver criteria or submit proof of English language proficiency

Please note that MAPH does not require or accept GRE scores. 

Additional Application Requirements

BA/MA

Students in The College may be eligible to participate in a BA/Master of Arts in the Humanities degree. Please refer to The College website for more information about the application process.

Classical Languages

Applicants interested in the Classics Specialization must submit the above materials and a list of the Greek and Latin texts that they have read in the original, as well as all such texts they plan to read before matriculation.

Creative Writing

Applicants interested in the Creative Writing Specialization must submit the above materials and an additional creative writing sample. The creative writing sample should be written in the proposed genre of study, length can vary but samples should not be more than 20 pages overall. 

Two-Year Language Option

Applicants interested in the Two-Year Language Option (TLO) must submit the above materials and a supplemental document. In the supplement, applicants should indicate:

  • which language(s) they would concentrate on
  • academic and professional reasons for studying these languages
  • how many years and at which institution(s) they have studied these languages