The average time to degree is 7-8 years, depending on whether you enter with a BA or MA degree, your funding situation (fellowships give more time for your own work than teaching, though teaching experience is essential and opportunities will be provided), language needs, complexity of your dissertation research, and perhaps unforeseen personal issues. (These guidelines conform to Graduate College time limits).
Plan to take advantage of summer terms for language training, course work, prelim exam reading, and preliminary dissertation research. Concerns, whether academic or personal, that you feel are affecting your progress should be discussed with the Director of Graduate Studies and your faculty advisors. We are here for you. Life is complex.
In recent years, the Graduate College tightened its policies and oversight of graduate programs and individual students. Please consult the The Graduate College Handbook for more information about their policies. For more information about the Department of History's policies for measuring students’ progress, evaluating their work, and helping them to succeed please consult this memorandum.
Typical yearly progress
2-3 years of coursework (depending on whether entering with MA or BA); 1 year for preliminary exams and defense of dissertation proposal; 1 year of full-time research; 2 years writing and revising and defense of final dissertation.
Summary of Degree Requirements
- First year sequence: 593 "Approaches to History," 594 "Introduction to Historical Writing," and Proseminar
- Completion of four courses in one major field and two in each of two minor fields -- up to two courses may be transferred from an MA program. At least one field must must be comparative/thematic.
- Two methods courses
- Three research seminars (major papers based on primary-source research) or two if entering with MA
- Demonstration of competence in one language, unless the student's advisor mandates 2, in addition to English (one when US history is the major field).
- Preliminary examinations in each of the three fields
- Preliminary oral examination, including defense and approval of a dissertation proposal
- Oral pre-defense of the dissertation
- Oral defense of the dissertation
Approximate timeline (for students entering with a BA)
Years 1-2(Year 1 for students entering with an MA):
- Course work aligned with your likely major and minor fields (See Fields of Study for current major and minor fields)
- Identify faculty who might serve on your field exam committees
- Work toward completing all language requirements
- Near the end of each year, first-year and second-year reviews with advisor and DGS
Year 3 (Year 2 with MA):
- Complete all course requirements. (Language requirements must be completed by time of final preliminary exam)
- Finalize agreements with faculty to serve as examiners in your three fields
- File PhD Portfolio by September 15 if you wish to begin preliminary examinations ("prelims") in the spring semester (not common, but possible). File by February 15 to start exams in the fall of the following year. The portfolio is reviewed by the Graduate Studies Committee. (See menu item for details)
- After approval, file Prelim Exam Schedule
- You should also be working toward a dissertation topic and apply for pre-dissertation research for the summer
Year 4 (Year 3 with MA)
- Preliminary exams: Prepare and pass prelim exams in your three fields.
- Schedule Oral Exam and dissertation proposal defense
- NOTE: All prelim exams, written and the final oral, must be completed in two consecutive semesters (not including summer). Language requirements must be completed by final oral.
- Dissertation proposal: You will be working on this throughout the year in versions for grants and for your oral prelim defense. It is recommended you participate in the Dissertation Proposal Writing Workshop (for credit).
- If eligible, apply for outside grants for dissertation field work for the following year.
- Become ABD!
Year 5 (Year 4 with MA)
- Dissertation research!
Year 6 (Year 5 with MA)
- Dissertation writing.
- Participate in dissertation writing workshop and career development workshops.
Year 7 (Year 6 with MA)
- Dissertation completion
- Pre-Defense
- Apply for jobs/postdocs
- Final defense
- Celebrate!