Ph.D. Program Overview

  1. Degree requirements
    1. 49 Credits past the M.A. (73 in total for M.A. + Ph.D.)
      1. 24 must be in coursework
      2. Up to 12 may be taken previously as Grad Special
      3. 24 credits may transfer from M.A. program (decided at Program of Study meeting and completed with “Graduate Transfer Evaluation Request” form)
      4. HIST 783 (Historiography) or comparable
      5. HIST 780 (Methodology)
      6. HIST 799 (Dissertation –up to 24 credits in total)
    2. Foreign Language
      1. 4 undergraduate semesters
      2. Native speaker
      3. Pass written exam administered by WLL
      4. Exam must be completed before comprehensive exams
    3. Comprehensive Examinations
      1. Four fields
      2. Taking as semester-long synthetic and bibliographic essays
      3. Completed with Oral Examination component
    4. Thesis, approved and defended
      1. Public thesis prospectus colloquium
      2. Upon completion of thesis, public defense with full thesis committee and DGS
    5. Four Fields
      1. 1 Main thesis field
      2. 3 Secondary fields (teaching, research skills, methodologies, etc)
    6. Time Limit
      1. All requirements must be satisfied during the eight years immediately preceding the granting of the degree
  2. Thesis Committee
    1. Faculty advisor
    2. No more than 3 members of the History Department
    3. Faculty member outside of the History Department as the Graduate Representative
  3. Typical Schedule
    1. Semester 1 – Fall
      1. HIST 783 or equivalent
      2. Coursework related to fields (1-2 courses)
    2. Semester 2 – Spring
      1. HIST 780 (unless otherwise filled)
      2. Coursework related to fields (1-2 courses)
      3. Semester 3 – Fall
        1. Coursework related to fields (1-2 courses)
        2. Declaration of faculty advisor
        3. Program of Study Meeting at the end of the semester (or early the following semester)
      4. Semester 4 – Spring
        1. If not completed in semester 2, Program of Study Meeting should occur at the beginning of the semester (must occur before the end of the semester)
        2. Declaration of faculty advisor
        3. Coursework related to fields (1-2 courses)
        4. Comprehensive exams (if language requirement and 24 credits has been reached) or coursework
      5. Semester 5 – Fall
        1. Comprehensive exams or coursework
      6. Semester 6 – Spring
        1. Comprehensive exams or coursework
      7. Following semesters
        1. Dissertation credits (799) or coursework as agreed with faculty advisor and DGS
      8. Final semester
        1. HIST 799 (6 credits)
        2. Application to Graduate (due mid-semester to the Graduate School)
        3. Public Thesis Defense and Submitted “Notice of Completion Form”
        4. “Thesis Final Review Approval Form”
        5. Submission of Thesis to Graduate School