Ph.D. Recommended Timeline

First Year  (18-21 hours)

1st Semester (9 hours) HIS 5369: Craft of Research HIS 53--: American History Seminar HIS 53--: European History Seminar HIS 5348/5338: if needed

2nd Semester (9 hours) HIS  5370: Research & Writing HIS 53--: Global History Seminar HIS 53--: American/European History Seminar HIS 53--: Theory/Method Seminar

Summer (3 hrs) Language  Professional

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Milestones:

• Determine options for fulfilling the Foreign Language Requirement (see the Department of Modern Languages & Cultures website)
• Identify an adviser and inform the Graduate Director by Feb. 15
• Submit Activity Report Progress (18-hour review with adviser) by May 1
• Begin to identify potential comprehensive exam fields
  • Comps readings is done mostly during the summers and through reading courses; the sooner comps decisions can be made, the sooner the lists can be compiled and reading begun

---

Second Year  (18-21 hours; including 6 hours of prelim reading)

3rd Semester (9 hours) HIS 53--: American/European Seminar HIS or Outside COMP field HIS 5388/48: Independent Reading Seminar w/ adviser or outside dept.

4th Semester (9 hours) HIS 53--: American/European Seminar HIS or Outside COMP field HIS 5388/48: Independent Reading/ Seminar/ Outside course/Theory/Method HIS 53--: Global History Seminar

Summer (3) Professional HIS 6v85 (1-2)

Milestones:

• Identify comprehensive exam fields and examiners and inform the Graduate Program Director by February 15
• Review the Doctoral Comprehensive Exam information sheet.
• Submit Activity Report Progress (36-hour review with adviser) by May 1
• Fulfill Foreign Language Requirement
• 6 hours of HIS 6v85 are required and can be taken in the Summer and/or Fall semester of 3rd year
• Recommended that 2-3 courses (reading, outside, or regular) be taken with comps readings in mind; ideally courses that will begin comps reading lists

---

Third Year (dissertation hours)

5th Semester HIS 6v99 (if passed comps) or HIS 6v85 (prelim reading if comps scheduled in Sept./Oct.) Comprehensive Exams (Aug.-Nov.) Comprehensive Oral Exam (Last day to take orals is the last day of Fall classes) Candidacy Achieved Prospectus presented and accepted by dissertation director and 2 committee members

6th Semester HIS 6v99 Dissertation / Grant Writing

Summer Professional HIS 6v99 Graduate WKSP

Milestones:

• Successful completion of comprehensive exams & oral exam
• Prospectus completed, presented, and accepted
• Candidacy achieved

---

Fourth/Fifth Year (dissertation hours)

7th/9th Semester                HIS 6v99 Dissertation *Teach course

8th/10th Semester HIS 6v99 Dissertation *Teach course Defend Dissertation in March for May graduation, complete Ph.D. degree

Summer Professional

Milestones:

• Verify all semester deadlines on the Graduate School Calendar.
• File for graduation 
• Plan defense with your director (allow 2-3 weeks between submitting dissertation to committee and the defense)
• Attend dissertation/thesis workshop with the Graduate School
• Format your dissertation according to the guidelines before your preliminary review
• Schedule your preliminary review of your completed dissertation with Mrs. Sandra Harman at the Graduate School at least 2 weeks prior to your defense. Follow the Preliminary Review Instructions to schedule your review and submit the required documents. Be sure to submit your signature page, as this needs to be checked before your defense. Also, bring the following items to your review:
  • A completed copy of the Preliminary Checklist
  • A completed copy of the Doctoral Investment Form
• ​​​​Submit the Announcement of Doctoral Oral Examination to the Graduate School at least 10 days prior to your defense.
• Bring these forms to your defense:
  • Two copies of your signature page (Signature Forms can be found here).
  • Two copies of the Thesis Copyright and Availability Form
  • Result of Doctoral Oral Examination Form
• Defend your dissertation (by March for May graduation)
• Within 10 days after your defense, complete a final review. Follow the Final Review Instructions to submit the required documents, which include your Final Checklist, Approval of Final Dissertation/Thesis Copy form, signature pages, Copyright and Availability form, and your dissertation.
• You will also need to turn in these documents to the Graduate School:
  • Results of Oral Examination Form
  • Change of grade for Thesis Hours Form, for all thesis hours
  • Result of Foreign Language Examination 
• Mrs. Sandra Harman will notify you that you are clear to submit to Beardocs. Please follow these instructions.