Jan 20, 2025  
2021-2022 Caspersen School of Graduate Studies 
    
2021-2022 Caspersen School of Graduate Studies

Doctor of Philosophy in History and Culture (Ph.D.)


Students in the Doctor of Philosophy program complete 54 credit hours from History and Culture listings, as well as approved courses from other Caspersen programs.  

I. Required Courses (18 credits)


II. Electives (27 Credits)


Taken from existing History and Culture courses, as well as courses from the Caspersen School or Theological School with approval by Convener. Of the courses taken:

  • At least 2 (6 credits) must be tagged as Methodology
  • At least 2 (6 credits) must be tagged as Research-Intensive
  • At least 2 (6 credits) must be tagged as Extradisciplinary

Some Extradisciplinary courses are also tagged as Methodology OR Research-Intensive, and may count towards both requirements.

Note:  Students can petition to take Research Seminar (HIST 800 ) twice, to substitute for one research-intensive course.

III. Dissertation (9 Credits)


IV. Qualifying Exams


After completing HIST 900 , with an approved portfolio, doctoral students complete capstones in three fields:

  • Major Field (either U.S. or Europe)

  • Minor Field (U.S., Europe, or World History. Cannot be same as major field).

  • Field related to Dissertation

V. Foreign Languages


PhD students specializing in Continental Europe must pass an examination in one foreign language; normally French, German, Russian, Spanish, or another language deemed useful to the student’s research.

Foreign language examinations are not required for MA students or for PhD students specializing in the United States, Britain, or Ireland.