PhD in History
All students seeking admission to graduate study are required to provide a cover letter, transcripts, three academic letters of recommendation, a writing sample, and a statement of research interests. The applicant’s research interests should correlate to the expertise of the history department faculty. In addition, students whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL scores. For additional information, see the History Department’s graduate handbook, the departmental website, or contact the director of graduate studies.
The History program reviews applications in February for students to begin studies during the fall semester. The deadline for applications for admission with financial aid is January 30th. However, the College of Graduate Studies accepts applications throughout the year.
The doctoral degree in history requires a minimum of 62 hours beyond the master’s degree, or 90 hours for students admitted without a qualified master’s degree, including 24 hours for the dissertation. Doctoral students must complete four seminars, and the following course in historiography, and a Professional Workshop.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 8600 | Historiography | 3 |
| HIST 8950 | Workshops | 3 |
General Field
The student must stand for an examination, written and oral, over one general field, such as U.S. history or modern European history. See the departmental Graduate Handbook for additional details.
Secondary Concentration
The student must stand for examination in one major area of concentration. This normally will be the area in which the student will write the dissertation and in which the student has completed seminars and course work.
Minor Field
The student will be examined in a minor area outside the general field. Selection of this field will be made by the student in consultation with the advisor.
Foreign Language Competency
Every student, before taking the comprehensive examination, must pass an examination in a foreign language. The choice of the language required will lie with the student’s advisor.
- PLO 1. Evaluate current historical literature in chosen field of study.
- PLO 2. Compose a clear historical argument supported by adequate evidence.
- PLO 3. Develop aptitude with electronic research tools and source investigation (such as archival investigation and location of primary sources).
- PLO 4. Write according to disciplinary standards.
- PLO 5. Discover new sources, new information from sources, and use new methodologies that lead to new contributions.
- PLO 6. Create an original contribution and argument.