Program Milestones

Students complete several milestones as they advance through the program. Unless otherwise specified, students fill out and circulate forms to faculty, then submit them to the Graduate Coordinator for processing.

Departmental forms may be found under Forms for the PhD in History.

Program of Study

The Program of Study is a planning document for determining transfer credits and minor fields. 

Prior to the start of their first semester in the program, students fill out the Program of Study. They update it each semester as they complete program requirements. It may be helpful to share the program of study with faculty in discussions about minor fields, major fields, and comprehensive exams. Students should ensure that their most up-to-date Program of Study is on file with the Graduate Coordinator.

18-Hour Review

Upon completion of 18 credits taken at Mason, the Graduate Committee will evaluate students to determine whether they may continue in the program. The Ph.D. Director will circulate a questionnaire to students that will serve as the basis for the committee's assessment. Students do not need to take any further action, besides filling out the questionnaire when they receive it. 

Minor Fields

1. Students complete two History graduate seminars to comprise the minor field.

2. Early in the semester before taking HIST 804: Doctoral Readings for Minor Field, students will:

  • Find a minor field advisor who is qualified and willing to teach an individualized section of HIST 804.
  • Notify the Ph.D. Director of their intent to pursue an 804 the following semester.

3. Students submit their minor field proposal and a signed Minor Field Proposal Approval Form by

  • November 1 for 804s in the Spring semester. 
  • April 1 for 804s in the Fall semester.

4. Once the student has received notification that the Graduate Committee approves the minor field, students register by submitting an Individualized Section Registration Request to the Graduate Coordinator.

For details on the process of developing and setting up a minor field, visit Proposing & Registering for HIST 804.

For instructions on registering for individualized sections, visit How to Register for Courses.

The Minor Field Exam

Students take the minor field exam (a set of take-home essays) at the conclusion of HIST 804. The minor field exam typically begins on the first Monday after the final day of classes.

The Minor Field Exam Approval Form originates with the Graduate Coordinator, but students should follow up to ensure that their exam readers submit it. 

Major Fields

1. Students complete 9 credits of History graduate seminars in one of three major fields (US history, European history, and comparative/world history).

2. US history students who began the program in Fall 2026 or later prepare for the major field exam by taking HIST 801: Doctoral Readings for Major Field (Formation of the US) and HIST 802: Doctoral Readings for Major Field (Development of the US). These courses are taught as seminars.

European and comparative/world history students will take an individualized section of HIST 803: Doctoral Readings for Major Field.

US history students who began the program before Fall 2026 will make a determination in consultation with the Ph.D. Director and their major field advisor about which option best suits their degree progress.

Early in the semester before they take HIST 803, students will:

  • Consult with faculty about doing the 803.
  • Notify the Ph.D. Director about their intent to do an 803 the following semester.

The Oral Comprehensive Exam

1. Once the student has finalized their major field exam committee, the student will consult with each member to determine when to take the oral comprehensive exam. 

2. At least one month before the agreed-upon date, the student will notify the Graduate Coordinator of the exam date. The Graduate Coordinator will reserve a room.

3. The student will bring a completed Major Field Oral Exam Approval Form to the exam for faculty to sign.

4. After passing the exam, the student will submit the signed form to the Graduate Coordinator.

The Dissertation Proposal

Students will formalize a committee in conversation with faculty. If a student intends to have a non-HARTH faculty member serve on the committee, they should notify the Ph.D. Director of their plan at least three months prior to advancing to candidacy, to assess its viability. The University Catalog codifies who may serve on a dissertation committee in AP.6.10.5 Dissertation Committee.

After assembling a committee and developing the dissertation proposal, students will circulate a Dissertation Proposal Approval Form to their committee, then submit the completed form to the Graduate Coordinator.

Advancing to Candidacy

Advancement to Candidacy involves successful completion of:

  • All courses.
  • Minor and major field exams.
  • The dissertation proposal, a required meeting with the dissertation committee, and presentation of the dissertation project to Colloquium. 

In addition, students must submit the following forms to the Graduate Coordinator:

CHSS sets deadlines within each semester for the Advancement to Candidacy process. Students who do not complete the process by the deadline will not be able to register for dissertation credits in the following semester.

The Dissertation

University Dissertation and Thesis Service (UDTS) governs the dissertation formatting process and receives completed, approved dissertations. Students are encouraged to examine UDTS's website carefully for requirements and deadlines.

UDTS provides templates for dissertation signature sheets (also known as cover pages) for the dissertation committee to sign.

CHSS also maintains a checklist for graduating Ph.D. students.

For Additional Information

For details about program requirements, visit "Program Requirements" on the HARTH website. 

For catalog degree requirements, visit Graduate Programs >> Ph.D. in History on the HARTH website.

For CHSS academic policies, visit CHSS >> Policies and Procedures. 

For GMU academic policies, visit the University Catalog >> Policies >> Academic Policies >> Graduate Policies.