History, PhD (Boston)

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 29 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

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
Topics, Directed Study, or Readings
Complete 20 semester hours in Topics, Directed Study, or Readings:		20
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

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 5102	Theory and Methodology 2	4
Digital History
HIST 7370	Texts, Maps, and Networks: Readings and Methods for Digital History 1	4
Readings or Directed Study
Complete 8 semester hours from the following:		8
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	1

¹

Students who have completed courses assessed as equivalent to Texts, Maps, and Networks: Readings and Methods for Digital History (HIST 7370) or Practicum in Teaching (HIST 8409) may apply to the program director to substitute other Northeastern courses for these requirements.

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 is required in each semester (excluding summers) until the dissertation is completed:
HIST 9996	Dissertation Continuation

Program Credit/GPA Requirements

29 total semester hours required

Minimum 3.500 GPA required