Doctor of Philosophy in History

The Doctor of Philosophy in History is designed to prepare students for careers in higher education, public and applied history, and historical administration. Preparation extends beyond archival research techniques to include oral history and oral tradition, ethnohistory, archaeology, material culture, museum studies, historic preservation, gender studies and documentary editing. Students are provided with opportunities to teach in the undergraduate program under the direction of senior colleagues and receive training in additional professional skills.

Faculty research and instruction emphasize the social and cultural aspects of historical change. Resources include the Medieval Institute, the Institute of Cistercian Studies, the Rawlinson Centre for Anglo-Saxon and Manuscript Studies, the Kercher Center for Social Research, the Diether Haenicke Center for International Study, the Great Lakes Center for Maritime Studies, the Archives and Regional History Collection, and the holdings of the French Michilimackinac Translation Project.

Admission Requirements

Admission normally requires a master’s degree in history or a closely related discipline, or substantial prior course work in history. Students holding baccalaureate degrees may be admitted directly to the program but must complete Master of Arts comprehensive examinations after approximately 18 hours of course work with a recommendation by the examining committee to continue doctoral studies.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general aptitude test scores.
Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic work.
A brief essay concerning applicant’s academic and professional objectives, and a writing sample.
Reading proficiency in foreign languages appropriate to the proposed program of study is strongly recommended; studies to meet deficiencies in this area must be begun during the first year of doctoral study. Students whose native language is other than English must achieve a TOEFL score of 600 or above, or otherwise demonstrate a command of English judged adequate by the department to pursue graduate study in the discipline.

Program Requirements

Award of the Doctor of Philosophy in History is based upon successful completion of qualifying examinations in several fields, and demonstration in seminars and the dissertation of the ability to conduct original research. Programs of study are developed in consultation with the supervising professor and appropriate faculty. The program requires a minimum of 75 hours of credit beyond the baccalaureate degree or 45 hours beyond the master’s degree. The Master of Arts thesis option and the Doctor of Philosophy program share many common structures and requirements, and may be planned as a single program of study. Candidates admitted with a master’s degree from another institution or discipline may need more than the minimum of 45 hours of course work to complete the field requirements.

All students must complete two core courses in their first year of study: HIST 6010 and HIST 6980. These courses serve several roles: They provide students with the historical and theoretical underpinnings of the profession of historian in all its myriad forms and applications; they train students in the various skills needed to succeed as professional historians in various venues; and they help students become part of the graduate student community in the department. Core courses must be completed by the end of the first year of graduate course work. Each student must also complete course work in theory and research techniques in an allied social science or humanities discipline appropriate to the student’s research agenda.

Major Field

The major field designates an area of study in which the student seeks to establish professional competence.

Minor Field

A minor field designates an area of study that is related to, or provides skills necessary to, the major field.

Outside Field

The outside field may comprise work in a series of courses within a discipline outside of, but bearing upon, the major field and dissertation topic.

Foreign Language Requirement

Students must demonstrate reading proficiency in at least one foreign language appropriate for their programs of study prior to qualifying examinations. Proficiency is demonstrated by satisfactory completion of a 2010-level or 4010-level foreign language course, or by a translation examination. Many major fields have additional foreign language requirements. All required course work to achieve necessary proficiencies must be completed prior to qualifying examinations

Theory, Research, and Applications Course Work

Each student must complete approved course work in theory and research techniques in an allied social science or humanities discipline appropriate to the candidate’s research agenda. Course work is selected in consultation with the student’s examination committee and must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

Research Tools

Three research tools are required. Competence in one foreign language is a research tool requirement for all doctoral students in the history program. In addition, competence in quantitative, statistical, or qualitative methodology must be exhibited to meet the second and third tool requirements. Competence in a tool is normally shown by a grade of “B” or better in approved course work, or by an advanced degree in an allied social science or humanities discipline. In some instances, a student may substitute a second foreign language for one of the tools in quantitative, statistical, or qualitative methodology. Course work is selected in consultation with the student’s examination committee and must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

Qualifying Examinations

Written and oral qualifying examinations are taken after the satisfactory completion of all course work and foreign language requirements. Examinations cover the major and minor fields and in some cases the outside field.

Dissertation

The dissertation comprises from 12 to 18 hours of graduate course work depending upon other characteristics of the program of study.