Advancing to Candidacy

Advancement to candidacy requires successful completion of the following:

1. All coursework.

2. Major and minor field exams.

3. The dissertation proposal, a required meeting with the dissertation committee, and presentation of the dissertation project to Colloquium.

A student officially becomes a Ph.D. candidate on completion of all the degree requirements listed above—in other words, “all but dissertation” (ABD), another way of describing this phase of doctoral training. 

Coursework

Students must successfully complete all coursework listed on their Program of Study form.

Comprehensive Exams

Students must complete and pass an examination in both their major field and their minor field. 

Minor field

Students create a minor field by combining two related graduate seminars with HIST 804: Doctoral Readings for Minor Field. HIST 804 is conducted as an individualized section course in which the student works one-on-one with their minor field advisor. The minor field exam is currently conducted as a written exam at the conclusion of the course.

See "Minor Field and HIST 804" for more information on minor fields.

Major field

Students create a major field (defined as US history, European history, or comparative/world history) by taking 9 credits of related coursework. In addition, students complete 6 credits of major field readings to examine major historiographic trends in the field. The major field exam is currently conducted as an oral examination. A student who fails the oral examination can retake it no sooner than 3 months and no later than 6 months after failing it. Oral exams can only be taken a total of 3 times. A third failed attempt results in dismissal from the program. 

See "Major Field and Comprehensive Exam" for more information on major fields.

The Dissertation Proposal (HIST 998)

Students must submit a formal dissertation proposal to their committee and execute or address any requested revisions. Students will also meet with their committee to discuss the project prior to getting approval signatures. Lastly, students present the dissertation proposal to the History Doctoral Colloquium.

Visit "The Dissertation Proposal" for additional guidance.

Timing, Time Limits, and Procedures

Timing

It is a matter of personal preference whether to complete the dissertation proposal or the major field comprehensive exam first. Either way, students must be registered for at least 1 credit in the semester they advance to candidacy, if they advance in Fall or Spring. Students who advance in the summer do not have to be registered for summer.

Time Limits

Students must advance to candidacy within 6 calendar years of their initial enrollment in the Ph.D. program. Students must complete and defend the dissertation within 9 calendar years 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.

Procedures

Paperwork: In addition to completing degree requirements, students must fill out the Dissertation Committee Approval Form and submit it to the Graduate Coordinator to formalize the composition of the dissertation committee. This form requires the signatures of all committee members and the Ph.D. Director.

Students must initiate required paperwork to advance to candidacy; this process is not automatic. When scheduling the final courses for the dissertation proposal or the major field (whichever comes last), the student should notify the Graduate Coordinator of their intent to advance to candidacy. 

CHSS Involvement: The College sets semester deadlines for advancing—usually 2 weeks before the degree conferral (graduation) date for that semester. 

The Dean of Graduate Academic Affairs will verify all degree requirements and promote the student to doctoral candidacy. Student-initiated changes in the composition of the dissertation committee may occur only under extenuating circumstances and with the approval of the dean in consultation with the Ph.D. Director and dissertation advisor. Faculty may resign from a dissertation committee with appropriate notice by submitting their resignations to the dean in writing.

Registration: Students must be registered for at least 1 credit in the semester they advance to candidacy, for the Fall and Spring semesters. Students who advance to candidacy in the summer do not need to be registered to advance. They will begin 999 hours in the fall. 

Forms: Visit “Forms for the Ph.D. in History" for information about signatures and circulating forms.