Program Leading to the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in History

1. 1. History (44-60 credits):
   1. Teaching Practicum His 500 (2 credits);
   2. Introductory Colloquium in State and Society His 600 (4 credits);
   3. Courses as advised, including two history research seminars, one of which must also be in the student’s area of geographic specialization, and two reading seminars in the major field, and one history reading seminar appropriate to the required minor field.
2. Cognate Discipline (0-16 credits): Students are required to demonstrate competence in the content and research methods of at least one cognate discipline.
3. Research Tool Requirement: Students are required to demonstrate reading proficiency in one foreign language, or in quantitative methods, or in multimedia methods in historical research and publishing. The major concentration and geographic specialization of a student will determine if more research tools are required before the start of the dissertation. When a foreign language examination is required as a research tool, it will be satisfied by a two-hour departmental examination or by an examination administered by a language department with the approval of the History Department or by satisfactory completion of a graduate-level language course approved by the History Department. In the event that a student fails a language exam, it may be taken a second time, but not more than two times for a particular language.
4. Comprehensive Doctoral Qualifying Examination: Students should take this examination by the end of their third year in the program or, if they have entered with an M.A. degree in hand, by the end of their second year. The students will be examined in a major thematic concentration with one or more geographic specializations, in a minor thematic concentration, and in a cognate discipline. In the event of failure the first time, a student will be afforded a second opportunity to take the examination.
5. Full Time Study in Residence: Students must engage in full-time study beyond the Master's degree or its equivalent at the University in at least one session after admission to the advanced program. Full time study is defined as 12 credits in a semester. Students who are authorized to work on a dissertation may count 4 of their dissertation load credits towards the 12 credits. Graduate assistants holding a full assistantship may meet the residency requirement by completing one academic year in such a position, including the satisfactory completion of 9 registered credits each semester, plus satisfactory completion of assigned duties.
6. Dissertation: The dissertation will consist of a substantial body of original work which, upon completion and before acceptance by the department, candidates will defend in an oral examination.

Last updated on 11/5/2008