Ph.D. in Humanities: History

Program Requirements

Students must complete 42 credit hours, including:

• At least 15 credit hours of graduate coursework in your primary discipline of History, exclusive of dissertation credits on the plan of study. These include:
  • 3 hours of History 5581GR (Introduction to Graduate Studies) if this course or its equivalent has not been taken before
  • 3 hours of History 5582A (Research Proposal Development)
  • A minimum of two graduate colloquia, comprising at least 6 hours
  • 3 credit hours of research seminar
• At least 9 credit hours in one of three secondary fields, including: English, digital and public humanities and general humanities.
• 6 doctoral independent reading hours for completion of comprehensive exams and preparation of dissertation prospectus
• 12 dissertation hours

Complete course listing on Academic Catalog

Program Benchmarks

Notable benchmarks of the program include:

• Complete required coursework
• Successfully pass comprehensive exams
• Successfully defend your dissertation prospectus
• Complete formal dissertation
• Successfully defend your dissertation

Costs, Aid and Funding Opportunities

Cost is a major consideration when deciding whether to continue your education. We encourage students to learn more about costs and financial aid and explore our graduate teaching assistantship, plus other funding opportunities that can make earning your credential more affordable. Explore estimated costs, international student costs, financial aid, and funding opportunities.

Application Procedures and Requirements

1. Prepare the required documentation, including:
   • Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions
   • A letter describing academic and professional goals
   • A sample of written work
   • A statement of purpose, around 1,000 words in length, that describes a well-developed research agenda and discusses the theoretical and methodological basis for the research.
   • Three letters of recommendation from individuals who are academically or professionally qualified to assess the applicant's ability to pursue doctoral work.
   • English language proficiency requirement
2. Complete the online application. Please be sure to pay applicable domestic or international program fees.
3. Make sure you meet discipline-specific admission requirements outlined in this section.
   • All applicants must identify a regular doctoral faculty member of the history department who has agreed to serve as their faculty mentor when they enter the program. 
   • Except in unusual circumstances, students must begin their work during the Fall Semester. Applications must be received no later than Jan. 15. Applications that are incomplete as of Jan. 15, and completed applications submitted after this deadline, may not be considered until the following year.
   • Applicants who choose history as their primary discipline, or applicants whose coursework in history will comprise at least 50% of the Ph.D. plan of study, must meet the criteria for admission specified by the School of Graduate Studies. In addition, they must:
     • Possess a master’s degree in history or its equivalent.
     • Have earned a GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale in graduate courses.

Application Deadlines

• Jan. 15 — first consideration deadline for Fall Semester entry (domestic students), then rolling deadlines.
• April 15 — hard deadline for Fall Semester entry (international students).