Ph.D. Degree

Introduction

At the Ph.D. level, each student works with faculty to develop four fields of specialization -- two defined as major fields and two defined as minor fields. A Ph.D. student studies each of the fields through courses carefully selected in close consultation with a faculty mentor. Each field serves as the basis for one four-hour comprehensive examination after coursework has been completed.

The major fields aim to develop depth of understanding and preparation for the Ph. D. dissertation. Students work closely with an individual faculty member and take courses in a narrow range. The major fields are defined by the student's specific interests and possible dissertation topic. They are usually defined both chronologically and topically (Medieval English Social History, 1350-1500; Twentieth-Century US Political; etc.). Generally, both major fields will be in the same area (Modern Europe, Early Modern Europe, Medieval, United States, or Latin America), but comparative programs are also possible (e.g., Comparative Colonialism or Comparative Slavery).

The two minor fields (third and fourth fields) can vary more widely, but ideally link in some way with a student's eventual dissertation topic. The student is free, with departmental approval, to pursue fields with faculty available in other departments of the university and within the Washington Consortium. One of these fields may he entirely outside the discipline of history (for example, in archeology, political science, etc.) if the preparation it offers is important to the area of intended dissertation research. The minor fields must be outside the broad area of history (that is, Medieval Europe, Modem Europe, etc.) covered by the major fields. The purpose of this requirement is to give the student some breadth and comparative perspective, both for intellectual and for practical reasons (i.e. the preparation for a teaching job after graduation).

A Ph.D. requires a minimum of 54 graduate credit-hours or 18 courses (i.e. 24 credit-hours beyond the minimum required for the M.A.). A maximum of 8 courses (24 credit-hours) can he transferred from another institution with departmental approval. All students must take History 601 (unless they have already done so for the M.A.). At least four seminars (that is, two beyond those required for an M.A. degree) are required for the Ph.D. The time it takes to complete coursework for the degree varies, hut normally a student continuing with a CUA M.A. degree would take two to three additional semesters of full-time work to complete course requirements for the Ph.D. After coursework is completed, Ph.D. students take the two minor-field comprehensive examinations on two consecutive days and in the following semester the two major-field comprehensive examinations (also on consecutive days), followed by an oral examination. The dissertation must be completed within a maximum of five years thereafter.

Each Ph.D. student must also meet a language requirement; this is defined as one language more than required for the M.A. (that is, in most cases, two foreign languages, except for Medieval European history, which requires three).

Admission to the Program

Fields and Requirements for Degree

Comprehensive Examinations

Candidacy and the Dissertation