Skip to main content

History, Ph.D.

  1. Demonstrate research skills in archival and published primary sources, as well as fieldwork.
  2. Demonstrate advanced analysis of historiographic interpretation, and knowledge of the state of major and minor fields of study.
  3. Demonstrate an advanced historical knowledge of major and minor fields of study.
  4. Demonstrate current knowledge of interpretive methods and theories.
  5. Demonstrate cohesive organization and effective argumentation.

None of the doctoral courses may be at the undergraduate level, and no more than six credits may be taken in a related department without the permission of the director of graduate studies.

Proof of competency in non-English languages is required through a written examination administered by the department or successful completion of graduate translation courses.

Doctoral students in medieval and early modern European history are required to display reading proficiency in Latin as well as one additional non-English language. Ph.D. students in world history or modern European history must demonstrate proficiency in two non-English languages. Doctoral students in U.S. history are required to demonstrate proficiency in one non-English language. 

Required Courses
HIST 5000Theory & Practice of History: An Introduction3
HIST 5900History Teaching Practicum0
HIST 6900Professional Writing for Historians I3
HIST 6901Professional Writing for Historians II3
Primary Concentration12
Select one of the following concentrations:
Secondary Concentration Courses6
Students should take the 6 credits of required coursework from one of the remaining concentrations, excluding their primary concentration.
Elective Courses6-15
Students with a previously-earned relevant master's degree will have 9 credits of electives waived.
Dissertation Research12
HIST 6990
Dissertation Research (taken over multiple semesters, 12hrs total)
Total Credits45-54

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Secondary Concentration Courses

American History

HIST 5600Studies in American History3
HIST 6840Seminar in American History3
Total Credits6

Early Modern European History

HIST 5400Studies in Early Modern European History3
HIST 6820Seminar: Early Modern European History3
Total Credits6

Late Antique/Byzantine History

HIST 5200Studies in Late Antique and Byzantine History3
HIST 6800Seminar in Ancient & Byzantine History3
Total Credits6

Medieval European History

HIST 5300Studies Medieval History3
HIST 6810Seminar Medieval History3
Total Credits6

Modern European History

HIST 5500Studies in Modern European History3
HIST 6830Seminar in Modern European History3
Total Credits6

World History

HIST 5700Themes and Methods in World History3
HIST 6870Research Seminar in World History3
Total Credits6

Non-Course Requirements

Following the completion of coursework, students must complete and pass a comprehensive examination that has both written and oral components.

The written examination consists of two four-hour written examinations, one each in the major and minor fields. The examinations are based on the texts on the preparatory reading list and selected from a set of choices developed by the examiners. The oral examination committee is comprised of three faculty members from the major field of study and two faculty members from the minor field. The oral examination lasts two hours and is taken the week following the written examinations. The examination committee will ask about the written examination, as well as texts on the preparatory reading list.

After successfully completing the oral examination, students will meet with an adviser to discuss and give final approval to the prospectus. Students will then file an approved copy of the dissertation prospectus with the Department and proceed to write the dissertation. Twelve credits are given for the writing of the dissertation. Completed dissertations are assessed by the committee and are formally accepted after a public defense.

Early Modern European Concentration

HIST 5400Studies in Early Modern European History3
HIST 6820Seminar: Early Modern European History3
Electives in Early Modern European History6
Total Credits12

Medieval European Concentration

HIST 5300Studies Medieval History3
HIST 6810Seminar Medieval History3
Electives in Medieval European History6
Total Credits12

American Concentration

HIST 5600Studies in American History3
HIST 6840Seminar in American History3
Electives in American History6
Total Credits12

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Early Modern European Concentration 

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
Participation in Mentoring Events  
HIST 5400 Studies in Early Modern European History 3
HIST 5000 Theory & Practice of History: An Introduction 3
Secondary Concentration course 3
 Credits9
Spring
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 6820 Seminar: Early Modern European History 3
Elective in Early Modern European History 3
Secondary Concentration course 3
Students will demonstrate language proficiency in one language either by passing a class or examination.  
 Credits9
Year Two
Fall
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 5900 History Teaching Practicum 0
Elective in Early Modern European History 3
Electives 6
 Credits9
Spring
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
Students will demonstrate language proficiency in a second language either by passing a class or examination. One of the two languages should be Latin.  
Electives 9
 Credits9
Year Three
Fall
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 6900 Professional Writing for Historians I 3
Students normally take their comprehensive examinations by the end of this term and definitely by the end of the sixth semester.  
 Credits3
Spring
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 6901 Professional Writing for Historians II 3
Students must write their dissertation prospectus by the end of this term.  
 Credits3
Year Four
Fall
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 6990 Dissertation Research 6
Students may take college teaching certificate at this point.  
 Credits6
Spring
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 6990 Dissertation Research 6
 Credits6
Year Five
Fall
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 6990 Dissertation Research 0
 Credits0
Spring
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 6990 Dissertation Research 0
A minimum 75000 words thesis is to be defended before three examiners for completion of the PHD in a two hour examination.  
 Credits0
 Total Credits54

Medieval European Concentration 

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
Participation in Mentoring Events  
HIST 5300 Studies Medieval History 3
HIST 5000 Theory & Practice of History: An Introduction 3
Elective in Medieval European History 3
 Credits9
Spring
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 6810 Seminar Medieval History 3
Elective in Medieval European History 3
Secondary Concentration course 3
Students will demonstrate language proficiency in one language either by passing a class or examination.  
 Credits9
Year Two
Fall
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
Secondary Concentration course 3
HIST 5900 History Teaching Practicum (Required course) 0
Electives 6
 Credits9
Spring
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
Students will demonstrate language proficiency in a second language either by passing a class or examination. One of the two languages should be Latin.  
Electives 9
 Credits9
Year Three
Fall
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 6900 Professional Writing for Historians I 3
Students normally take their comprehensive examinations by the end of this term and definitely by the end of the sixth semester.  
 Credits3
Spring
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 6901 Professional Writing for Historians II 3
Students must write their dissertation prospectus by the end of this term.  
 Credits3
Year Four
Fall
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 6990 Dissertation Research 6
Students may take college teaching certificate at this point.  
 Credits6
Spring
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 6990 Dissertation Research 6
 Credits6
Year Five
Fall
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 6990 Dissertation Research 0
 Credits0
Spring
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 6990 Dissertation Research 0
A minimum 75000 words thesis is to be defended before three examiners for completion of the PHD in a two hour examination.  
 Credits0
 Total Credits54

American Concentration 

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 5000 Theory & Practice of History: An Introduction 3
HIST 5600 Studies in American History 3
Elective in American History 3
 Credits9
Spring
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 6840 Seminar in American History 3
Elective in American History 3
Secondary Concentration course 3
 Credits9
Year Two
Fall
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
Students will demonstrate language proficiency in one language either by passing a class or examination.  
HIST 5900 History Teaching Practicum 0
Secondary Concentration course 3
Electives 6
 Credits9
Spring
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
Electives 9
 Credits9
Year Three
Fall
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 6900 Professional Writing for Historians I 3
Students normally take their comprehensive examinations by the end of this term and definitely by the end of the sixth semester.  
 Credits3
Spring
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 6901 Professional Writing for Historians II 3
Students must write their dissertation prospectus by the end of this term.  
 Credits3
Year Four
Fall
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 6990 Dissertation Research 6
Students may take college teaching certificate at this point.  
 Credits6
Spring
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 6990 Dissertation Research 6
 Credits6
Year Five
Fall
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 6990 Dissertation Research 0
 Credits0
Spring
Participation in / Completion of Mentoring Events  
HIST 6990 Dissertation Research 0
A minimum 75000 words thesis is to be defended before three examiners for completion of the PHD in a two hour examination.  
 Credits0
 Total Credits54

For more information about history graduate study at SLU, please email history@slu.edu or call 314-977-2910 to connect with the graduate program coordinator.