History, PhD

The PhD program, with a focus on global, transnational, and comparative history, seeks to train research historians who plan to teach at the college and university level. Systematic training in theory and methodology and preparation for college teaching are distinctive features of the Northeastern program. 

Academic Standing/Progress

Students are required to maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.500. In addition, the PhD annual review is based on a report by the student’s advisor with attention to:

1. Success in setting up a doctoral committee
2. Passing the departmental language examination in the language of their field
3. Successful performance of teaching assistant duties
4. Successful completion of courses in the tiered system (i.e., the required course sequence)
5. Successful completion, where appropriate, of other required activities, including construction of the comprehensive examination list and the dissertation proposal and scheduling of comprehensive examinations

Doctoral Degree Candidacy

Students entering without an MA in history must complete 45 semester hours of coursework; pass the qualifying examination; and successfully defend a dissertation proposal by the end of the third year in the program. Students entering with an MA in history must complete 37 semester hours of coursework; pass the qualifying examination; and successfully defend a dissertation proposal by the end of the third year in the program. Upon completion of these requirements, students will be deemed PhD degree candidates by the college.

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• Concentrations and course offerings may vary by campus and/or by program modality.  Please consult with your advisor or admissions coach for the course availability each term at your campus or within your program modality. 
• Certain options within the program may be required at certain campuses or for certain program modalities.  Please consult with your advisor or admissions coach for requirements at your campus or for your program modality. 

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Milestones

Qualifying examination
Annual review
Language
PhD candidacy
Dissertation committee
Dissertation proposal
Dissertation defense

Core Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Theory and Methodology
A grade of B or higher is required:
HIST 5101	Theory and Methodology 1	4
HIST 5102	Theory and Methodology 2	4
Digital History
HIST 7370	Texts, Maps, and Networks: Readings and Methods for Digital History	4
Readings, Topics or Directed Study
Complete 20 semester hours in Readings, Topics, or Directed Study		20
HIST 5240	Feminist Resistance
HIST 5241	Exhibits and Museums
HIST 7219-7251 Topics
HIST 7976	Directed Study
HIST 8982	Readings
Research Seminar
HIST 7314	Research Seminar in World History	4
Practicum
HIST 8409	Practicum in Teaching	1

Electives

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Complete 8 semester hours from the following range:		8
HIST 7200 to HIST 7702

Dissertation

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Exam Preparation
Only needed for PhD students who have completed all coursework but have not yet passed the comprehensive exam:
HIST 8960	Exam Preparation—Doctoral
Dissertation
HIST 9990	Dissertation Term 1
HIST 9991	Dissertation Term 2
Dissertation Continuation
Following completion of two semesters of HIST 9990, registration in the following class is required in each semester (excluding summers) until the dissertation is completed:
HIST 9996	Dissertation Continuation

Program Credit/GPA Requirements

45 total semester hours required
Minimum 3.500 GPA required

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• Concentrations and course offerings may vary by campus and/or by program modality.  Please consult with your advisor or admissions coach for the course availability each term at your campus or within your program modality. 
• Certain options within the program may be required at certain campuses or for certain program modalities.  Please consult with your advisor or admissions coach for requirements at your campus or for your program modality. 

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Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.

Milestones

Qualifying examination
Annual review
Language
PhD Candidacy
Dissertation committee
Dissertation proposal
Dissertation defense

Core Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Theory and Methodology
A grade of B or higher is required:
HIST 5101	Theory and Methodology 1	4
HIST 5102	Theory and Methodology 2	4
Digital History
HIST 7370	Texts, Maps, and Networks: Readings and Methods for Digital History	4
Readings or Directed Study
Complete 12 semester hours of either Readings or Directed Study:		12
HIST 8982	Readings
or HIST 7976	Directed Study
Research Seminar
HIST 7314	Research Seminar in World History	4
Practicum
HIST 8409	Practicum in Teaching	1

Electives

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Complete 8 semester hours from the following range:		8
HIST 7200 to HIST 7702

Dissertation

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Exam Preparation
Only needed for PhD students who have completed all coursework but have yet to pass the comprehensive exam. Not repeatable.
HIST 8960	Exam Preparation—Doctoral
Dissertation
HIST 9990	Dissertation Term 1
HIST 9991	Dissertation Term 2
Dissertation Continuation
Following completion of two semesters of HIST 9990, registration in the following class is required in each semester (excluding summers) until the dissertation is completed:
HIST 9996	Dissertation Continuation

Program Credit/GPA Requirements

37 total semester hours required
Minimum 3.500 GPA required