Program Overview

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Doctor of Philosophy in History

Program Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy in History program at the University at Albany prepares students to become professional historians. The program is research-intensive and culminates in a dissertation. Students gain knowledge and expertise to succeed in careers across the public and private sectors, from tenure-track teaching to museum curation and information management.

Program of Study

The program consists of core coursework, including a teaching practicum and a colloquium on the theory and practice of history. Students choose one of five concentrations: cultural history, gender history, social and economic history, public history, or international, global, and comparative history.

Core Requirements

• Teaching Practicum
• Colloquium on the Theory and Practice of History
• Dissertation Prospectus Workshop
• Courses as advised, including two history research seminars, one of which must also be in the student's area of geographic specialization, and two reading seminars in the major field, and one history reading seminar appropriate to the required minor field.

Cognate Discipline

Demonstrated competence in the content and research methods of at least one cognate discipline.

Research Tool Requirement

Demonstrate reading proficiency in one foreign language, or in quantitative methods, or in multimedia methods in historical research and publishing.

Comprehensive Doctoral Qualifying Examination

An exam in a major thematic concentration with one or more geographic specializations, in a minor thematic concentration, and in a cognate discipline.

Full-Time Study in Residence

Dissertation and Oral Dissertation Defense

Career Outcomes

A PhD in History opens the door to careers in academia, government, business, and the nonprofit sector. Some common job titles include:

• Professor
• Education administrator
• Consultant
• Policy analyst
• Program director
• Collection curator
• Museum director
• Librarian

Admissions Requirements

Deadlines

• Departmental Assistantship Consideration
  • Fall: January 15
  • Spring: Not Available
  • Summer: Not Available
• No Departmental Assistantship Consideration
  • Fall: January 15
  • Spring: Not Available
  • Summer: Not Available

Required Application Materials

• Transcripts from all schools attended
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Writing Sample

Student Learning Objectives

• Identify and interpret significant and innovative works of historical scholarship in at least one geographic or thematic area of concentration
• Distinguish between the research questions, methodology, and research contributions in scholarly works of history
• Engage in primary source research wherein s/he identifies and interprets original evidence, develops original arguments, and demonstrates competence in critical analysis.
• Demonstrate in written work the ability to use original source materials and secondary works of scholarship in a manner consistent with the historical profession
• Engage in extended and substantial original research that advances historical knowledge and makes an original contribution to the historical field, as determined by self-reported conference participation, publications, and grants.

Supplemental Degree Programs

Graduate students can typically request a supplemental degree in one or more subordinate degrees without needing to go through the full admissions process again.

Supplemental Programs Available with this Degree

• Africana Studies CGS
• Community College Leadership CGS
• Demography CGS
• History MA
• International Education Management CGS
• Social Studies MA