Overview

Degree Requirements

Degree Requirements are formally codified in the University Catalog. Candidates for the Ph.D. in History must complete a minimum of 72 graduate credits to earn their degree. 

  • 16-24 credits of core courses
  • 15 credits of courses for the Major Field
  • 9 credits of courses for the Minor Field
  • 6 credits of electives
  • 3-6 credits of Doctoral Dissertation Proposal (HIST 998). NOTE: Students who take less than 6 credits of HIST 810 must take 6 credits of HIST 998.
  • A minimum of 15 credits of Doctoral Dissertation Research (HIST 999). NOTE: Students who do not transfer in 3 credits of HIST 797 must take 18 credits of HIST 999.
  • Successful completion of minor and major field exams.
  • Successful production and defense of a doctoral dissertation.

Program requirements are described in greater detail in menus adjacent to this page.

Academic Standards

Doctoral students are expected to maintain a standard of excellence throughout their training. Grades are one measure by which they are evaluated.

Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 every semester, which is a B- average. NOTE: Starting in Fall 2026, a student's academic standing is determined by term GPA rather than cumulative GPA. Meaning, a single semester GPA below 3.0 will result in Academic Probation, even if the cumulative GPA remains above 3.0. See AP.6.6 Graduate Academic Standing for additional details.

Students will be terminated from the program upon receipt of a second C or F grade. University policy on doctoral grades is enumerated under AP.6.10 Requirements for Doctoral Degrees and AP.6.6.2.1 Academic Termination Criteria. Departments are at liberty to require adherence to a stricter standard. The Department of History and Art History policy on this count is articulated in the catalog's Degree Requirements.

18-Hour Review

The Graduate Committee reviews the status of students in the Ph.D. program at the completion of 18 credit hours in the program.

For these reviews, there are three possible outcomes: continuation, dismissal, or probation with another review after 6 additional credit hours. After assessing the student's transcripts and other credentials, the Ph.D. Director will inform the student of the review's outcome.

Faculty Support

Students must obtain the support of a full-time HARTH faculty member willing to direct their dissertation. Students who pursue research topics beyond the expertise of HARTH faculty may struggle in this regard, which may imperil their ability to remain in the program. Students should familiarize themselves with AP.6.10.5 Dissertation Committee, which governs who can—and cannot—direct a doctoral dissertation or serve on a dissertation committee.

Catalog Year

Degree requirements are defined by the University Catalog for the year a student entered the program (also known as “catalog year” or “catalog term”). The University Catalog always defaults to the current academic year, so students who began their doctoral studies in a previous academic year should search for their degree requirements in the Catalog Archives.

Time Limit

The University requires students to advance to candidacy within six calendar years of their initial enrollment in the Ph.D. program. They must complete and defend the dissertation within nine calendar years from the time of their initial enrollment in the Ph.D. program. For example, if a student initially enrolled in Fall 2025, they have until December 2031 to advance to candidacy and December 2034 to graduate. 

Tracking Progress

Students document the fulfillment of requirements on an individualized Program of Study form, starting prior to their first semester in the program. Students should work in regular consultation with the Ph.D. Director and their faculty mentors/advisors to make decisions about the structure and timeline of their degree. The Graduate Coordinator maintains an official file for each student.

Visit Program Milestones for succinct instructions on fulfilling key program requirements.