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Dec 05, 2025
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Ohio University 2025-26 Graduate Catalog
History - PHD
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 Return to: Programs of Study by Department
Doctor of Philosophy in History
History – PH4215
History Department
Bentley Annex 452
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
History.Department@ohio.edu
Delivery Mode: Athens Campus
Terms of Entry: Fall only
Special Terms of Entry Requiring Program Permission: None
Program Overview
The PhD program in History aims to develop professional historians with expertise in a variety of specific geographic, chronological, and thematic fields. The program has a particular strength in contemporary (20th century) history, due to our partnership with the Contemporary History Institute. PhD students in History concentrate in one of several broadly defined geographical areas, each of which is divided in turn into different national, regional, and thematic fields.
This degree program normally requires 5-7 years to complete.
Concentrations
- Europe
- Global/Transnational
- United States
Program Learning Outcomes
- Expert mastery of a concentrated body of historical knowledge and historiography
- Expert mastery of historical research techniques
- Development of professional-level writing (for publication)
Opportunities for Graduates
The PhD program in History prepares students for teaching and research at the college level, research positions in government or private organizations, and a variety of other careers.
Further Information
Link to Program: https://www.ohio.edu/cas/history/graduate/phd
Link to Program Handbook: https://www.ohio.edu/cas/history-graduate-handbook
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
- Students must have completed a US-equivalent master’s degree in a related field by the time of enrollment. Applicants who are in the process of completing their master’s degree may apply, with the requirement that the degree is expected to be conferred by the end of the first semester of the doctoral program.
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Transcripts
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are welcome but not required. The code for Ohio University is 1593.
- Writing sample
- TOEFL of 110+ (for non-native English speakers)
International Students
This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.
Graduation Requirements
History PhD students must complete a minimum of 90 hours above the baccalaureate degree, including a minimum of 12 graduate courses (48 hours) at Ohio University. Dissertation and thesis hours do not count towards the coursework but do count towards the 90 hours needed for the degree. Coursework includes the following requirements:
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Research Seminar
Students must complete at least one research seminar as approved by the chair of the dissertation committee and Director of Graduate Studies. Normally the requirement will be met with HIST 6800 - History Research Seminar . Fields of Specialization
Students must complete the following coursework to assure depth and breadth of knowledge. Students may choose from the following fields, national or regional focuses: United States, Modern Europe, Early Modern Europe, Ancient and Medieval Europe, Middle East, Latin America, Africa, East Asia, Southeast Asia, or Global/Transnational and/or the following fields with thematic focus: colonialism and post-colonialism, cultural and intellectual history, environmental history, history of political economy, international relations, military and strategic history, politics and policy history, religious history, and women’s and gender history. - Primary field: a minimum of 6 courses (4 hours each) which must include HIST 6930 - Directed Study in History in the fourth semester. This course will be dedicated to completing the student’s dissertation prospectus, which will be defended at the end of the same semester.
- Secondary field: a minimum of 3 courses (4 hours each) as approved by the supervisor of this field.
Outside Field
Students can select from 2 Contemporary History Institute seminars or 2 courses in another historical or outside field. Concentration-Specific Requirements
For concentrations European, World, and Global/Transnational History, complete one language, other than English, in the student’s research area. Required at the discretion of the dissertation advisor. Culminating Experience
The degree culminates in an approved, successfully defended dissertation. Before beginning the research portion of the dissertation, candidates must 1) pass written and oral comprehensive exams in their primary and secondary fields under the supervision of their advisor and two other faculty examiners of their choosing 2) defend a prospectus approved by the candidate’s dissertation committee, which must include their advisor, two additional members of the history faculty, and a Dean’s representative from outside the history department. |
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