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:
- Success in setting up a doctoral committee
- Passing the departmental language examination in the language of their field
- Successful performance of teaching assistant duties
- Successful completion of courses in the tiered system (i.e., the required course sequence)
- 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.
Milestones
Qualifying examination
Annual review
Language
PhD candidacy
Dissertation committee
Dissertation proposal
Dissertation defense
Core Requirements
| 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 20 semester hours in either Readings or Directed Study: | 20 | |
| Readings | ||
or HIST 7976 | Directed Study | |
| Research Seminar | ||
| HIST 7314 | Research Seminar in World History | 4 |
| Practicum | ||
| HIST 8409 | Practicum in Teaching | 1 |
Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete 8 semester hours from the following range: | 8 | |
HIST 7200 to HIST 7702 | ||
Dissertation
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Preparation | ||
| Only needed for PhD students who have completed all coursework but have not yet passed the comprehensive exam: | ||
| Exam Preparation—Doctoral | ||
| Dissertation | ||
| Dissertation Term 1 | ||
| 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: | ||
| Dissertation Continuation | ||
Program Credit/GPA Requirements
45 total semester hours required
Minimum 3.500 GPA required
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
| 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 | |
| Readings | ||
or HIST 7976 | Directed Study | |
| Research Seminar | ||
| HIST 7314 | Research Seminar in World History | 4 |
| Practicum | ||
| HIST 8409 | Practicum in Teaching | 1 |
Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete 8 semester hours from the following range: | 8 | |
HIST 7200 to HIST 7702 | ||
Dissertation
| 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. | ||
| Exam Preparation—Doctoral | ||
| Dissertation | ||
| Dissertation Term 1 | ||
| 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: | ||
| Dissertation Continuation | ||
Program Credit/GPA Requirements
37 total semester hours required
Minimum 3.500 GPA required