Program Overview

U.S. History Ph.D.

Overview

The U.S. History Ph.D. program at the University of North Texas offers students a comprehensive education in the field of U.S. history, with a focus on research and teaching. The program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the subject matter, as well as the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a variety of careers.

Program Type

• Doctoral Degree

Format

• On Campus

Estimated Time to Complete

• 3-5 years

Credit Hours

• 30 (with master's) or 54 (with bachelor's)

Program Description

The U.S. History Ph.D. program at UNT is a dynamic and rapidly advancing field of study that encompasses a growing number of research approaches and specialty areas. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in U.S. history, with a focus on research and teaching.

Areas of Study

• Chronological:
  • Colonial and Revolutionary
  • Early national
  • Civil War and Reconstruction
  • Late 19th- and early 20th-century
  • 20th century
• Topical:
  • Old South
  • New South
  • American West
  • Spanish and French borderlands
  • Texas
  • Military
  • Women and gender
  • African American
  • Mexican American
  • Local

Marketable Skills

• Synthesize/interpret large amounts of data
• Pedagogical practices
• Mastery of the historical literature
• Expertise in the history of specific topics/regions
• Research/write studies based on primary sources

Program Highlights

• Graduate classes normally include eight to 12 students, allowing for personal attention from the instructor.
• Through extensive reading, writing assignments, and specialized seminar classes, students strengthen their analytical, writing, research, and presentation skills.
• Classes are taught by faculty who have published numerous books and articles, been awarded many research grants, and earned national and international recognition in their fields.
• Several nationally and internationally recognized speakers address faculty and students on different topics each year.
• The UNT chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society, organizes scholarly and social events during the year.

Career Opportunities

• Historians
• Museum professionals
• Historical interpreters
• Researchers
• Writers
• Filmmakers
• Educators
• Business administration or management
• Sales
• Legal profession
• Higher education
• Journalism
• Law
• Public policy

Courses

• Environmental History (3 hrs)
• U.S. Gender and Sexuality History (3 hrs)
• Historiography of American Exceptionalism (3 hrs)
• U.S. Food History (3 hrs)
• Texas History (3 hrs)
• Seminar in Modern U.S. Political History (3 hrs)