History, Ph.D.

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Degree Information

Priority Admission Application Deadlines: http://www.grad.usf.edu/majors

Minimum Total Hours: 75 (post-bachelor’s), 42 (post-masters)
Level: Doctoral
CIP Code: 54.0101
Dept. Code: HTY
Major/College Codes: HTY AS
Approved: 2009

Contact Information

College: Arts and Sciences
Department: History

Contact Information: http://www.grad.usf.edu/majors

The Department of History at the University of South Florida in Tampa offers Ph.D. applicants an enriching program of study, coursework, and directed research.

A Ph.D. degree in History can prepare students for a variety of careers in the public and private sectors where research, critical thinking, and writing skills are especially important.

Major Research Areas:
American History to 1877; American History post-1877; Ancient History; Digital Humanities; Early Modern Europe and the World; Latin American History; Medieval History; Modern Europe and the World; Russian History.

Admission Information

Must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below.

Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation on behalf of the applicant are required. These letters should come from academic sources familiar with the quality of the applicant’s scholarly work and indicate his/her PhD program potential.
Statement of Purpose: A statement is required that delineates historical and intellectual areas of interest, proposed fields of study, educational and professional goals, the faculty with whom the applicant is potentially interested in working, and why the applicant sees him/herself as a good fit with the program.
Sample of Writing: A sample of written work that indicates the applicant’s ability to write effectively and to conduct historical research and analysis must be submitted. Appropriate examples include a publication, seminar paper, or thesis chapter.
Language: Applicants will provide evidence of proficiency in the foreign language(s) of their field(s) of study.

Curriculum Requirements

Total Minimum Hours: 75 -post-baccalaureate (42 hours post-masters)

Post-Master’s requirements
Core Requirements – 6 Credit Hours
Major Field – 9 Credit Hours Minimum
Minor Field – 3 Credit Hours Minimum
Electives in other disciplines – 6 Credit Hours
Dissertation – 18 Credit Hours

Students entering for the post-baccalaureate option must complete the equivalent requirements for the M.A. in History at USF. Students entering the doctorate who have not satisfactorily completed HIS 6112 Analysis of Historical Knowledge or its equivalent must complete this course in addition to the post-master’s requirements.

Core Requirements (6 Credit Hours)

HIS 7937 Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Pro-Seminar Credit Hours: 3
HIS 7938 Ph.D. Capstone Seminar Credit Hours: 3

Major Field Studies (9 Credit Hours Minimum)

HIS 6939 Seminar in History Credit Hours: 3
HIS 7939 Selected Topics for Doctoral Students Credit Hours: 3
Or other graduate courses approved by the Graduate Director.

Minor Field Studies (3 Credit Hours Minimum)

HIS 6939 Seminar in History Credit Hours: 3
HIS 7939 Selected Topics for Doctoral Students Credit Hours: 3
Or other graduate courses approved by the Graduate Director.

Electives (6 Credit Hours Minimum)

Students will enhance their major or minor areas of specialization with six credits of elective courses. They may include interdisciplinary courses within the department, courses outside the department, or a combination of these. These courses should be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor, and with the approval of the Graduate Director.

Other Requirements

Students may take a maximum of three hours each in HIS 6914 Directed Research and HIS 6908 Independent Study. Exceptions can be made with the approval of the major professor and Graduate Director.

Ph.D. students must select an advisor in their anticipated major field of study. Students will arrange their program of study and schedules of appropriate courses in consultation with their major professor.

Students need to demonstrate satisfactory progress or they will be removed from the program, consistent with department procedure.

Language Requirement for Ph.D. Students

Students may need to demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English, consistent with the requirements of their field(s).

ANG 5486 Quantitative Methods in Anthropology Credit Hours: 3
EDF 6407 Statistical Analysis for Educational Research I Credit Hours: 4
LIN 7639 Quantitative Methods in Applied Linguistics Credit Hours: 3
POS 6736 Research Design Credit Hours: 3
MAT 5932 Selected Topics Credit Hours: 1-4 (3 credits for this program)
Or other graduate course approved by Graduate Director

Comprehensive Qualifying Exam

Students will be examined in their major and minor fields through a written exam. An oral exam may be administered, if a field examiner (USF faculty member) is unsatisfied with the state of the student’s comprehension of the field.

Dissertation Defense

Students must complete an oral dissertation defense with the members of the dissertation committee. Faculty from fields other than History may serve on dissertation committees.

Dissertation (18 Credit Hours)

HIS 7980 Ph.D. Dissertation Credit Hours: 1-9 (18 credits for this program)