The Ph.D. degree is awarded on the completion of a dissertation that makes a significant contribution to knowledge. The dissertation should be based upon original, independent research drawing heavily from primary sources.  From the beginning of the doctoral program, the student should be investigating possible topics in conjunction with the faculty advisor.

The candidate must also demonstrate a thorough historiographic knowledge of three periods and/or themes (see specific requirements for each area of study:  United States, Europe, Latin America, and Transnational), and satisfy the appropriate course and residency requirements. To achieve ABD (all but dissertation) status, the student must complete all course work; satisfy the foreign language requirement; and pass the comprehensive examination.

The student must be in full-time residency for at least two semesters beyond the master's degree (for students entering with an M.A.) or at least six semesters beyond the bachelor’s degree (for students entering with a B.A.), except that an applicant deemed by the Graduate Committee to be inadequately prepared may be required to be in full-time residency for up to two additional semesters.  Full-time residency status will be determined for each student on the basis of his/her courses, research, reading, or assistantship duties.

Plan I: B.A. to Ph.D. Track

The recommended timetable for this degree is as follows:

First Semester, 9 hours.

In addition to taking 9 hours decided in consultation with a faculty advisor, students should:

Pass the foreign language requirement, and

Decide on a minor field.

Second Semester, 9 hours.

In addition to taking 9 hours decided in consultation with a faculty advisor, students should begin working on any additional languages that might be necessary for their programs.

Regardless of how students arrange their courses in their first two semesters, all students will be expected to complete a research seminar, at least one historiography course, at least one major field course, and at least one minor field course by the end of their first year.  The remaining two courses will be chosen according to students’ individual program requirements and the available course offerings.

Third Semester, 9 hours.

In addition to taking 9 hours decided in consultation with a faculty advisor, students should by the end of this semester have in place a committee for their comprehensive examinations.

All students will undergo review by the Graduate Committee immediately after grades for this term have been submitted, which will approve or deny continuation in the Ph.D. program. 

Fourth Semester, 9 hours.

In addition to taking 9 hours decided in consultation with a faculty advisor, students must pass additional foreign language exams (if required).

Regardless of how students arrange their courses in their first two years, we expect all students by the end of their second year to complete all coursework and all language requirements.

Fifth Semester, 9 hours.

Read for comprehensive exams (students will register for 9 hours of coursework, including a special problems course with the major professor for the purpose of working on the dissertation proposal, a comps reading course, and Professional Historian).

Sixth Semester, 9 hours

for students with a TAship or other University funding requiring full time enrollment; continuous enrollment for all others.

Take comprehensive exams.
Submit dissertation proposal.

Seventh Semester, 9 hours

for students with a TAship or other University funding requiring full time enrollment; continuous enrollment for all others.

Conduct dissertation research.

Eighth Semester, 9 hours

for students with a TAship or other University funding requiring full time enrollment; continuous enrollment for all others.

Conduct dissertation research.

Ninth Semester, 9 hours

for students with a TAship or other University funding requiring full time enrollment; continuous enrollment for all others.

Write the dissertation.

Tenth Semester, 9 dissertation hours.

Write and defend the dissertation.

Major Area

Upon applying for graduate work leading to a doctoral degree, students must indicate a major area of study from one of the following: United States, European, Latin American, or Transnational history.  

Europe

• Hellenistic History, 330-30 B.C.
• Early Middle Ages
• High Middle Ages
• Late Middle Ages
• English Legal and Constitutional
• Early Modern England
• Early Modern European Intellectual History
• Ancient Regime and Revolutionary France
• Modern Britain & Empire
• 19th Century Europe
• Modern Germany
• Modern France
• Modern European Social and Women’s History
• Modern European Intellectual

Latin America

• Latin America to 1825
• Latin America since 1825

United States 

• United States to 1877
• United States since 1877

Transnational History

Specific field definitions for Ph.D. work in Transnational history will be determined in consultation with the prospective dissertation committee, subject to approval by the Director of Graduate Studies.  Examples of what might be attempted in this field include America and the world; the Atlantic World; comparative history involving study of two or more countries, regions, or continents; energy and the environment; gender; immigration history; international relations; the Pacific Rim; and race and ethnicity.  Students may base their Transnational work in any of the regions where the department has faculty resources:  Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, or the United States.

For a complete description of all program requirements and policies, please downlaod a pdf of the Graduate Student Handbook. The material on this website constitutes a brief introduction to the program and a full description of the application process.