Ph.D. Program

The Ph.D. program allows students to concentrate in all geographic areas, but, by agreement with the Ohio Board of Regents, dissertation fields are limited to “contemporary history,” defined as the period since the end of World War I.  Almost two-thirds of students who have earned Ph.D.s in our program have published their dissertations, in revised form, as books.  That publication rate is higher than at many other well-known university Ph.D. programs.

Admission

Admission to the Ph.D. program requires an M.A. in history, preferably with thesis, a grade point average in graduate work of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, excellent Graduate Record Examination scores, and three letters of recommendation.  Applicants should submit a brief (300-500 words) statement of purpose and a writing sample, such as a seminar essay or an M.A. thesis that demonstrates the ability to do advanced historical research and analysis.

The deadline for Fall Quarter is February 1.  The History Department’s Graduate Committee will make decisions on admission in early March.  Candidates will be notified of those decisions shortly afterward.

Each student must choose an area of concentration. If the student chooses United States or European history, he or she must select two fields in that area.

United States History
    Colonial and Revolutionary America
    United States, 1789-1900
    United States, 1900-present
    US Foreign Relations
    US Military
    US Social-Intellectual
    US Economic History
European History
    Ancient Civilization
    Medieval Europe
    Renaissance and Reformation
    Western Europe, 1559-1789
    Western Europe, 1789-1914
    Western Europe, 1914-present
    Great Britain, 1558-1815
    Great Britain, 1815-present
Russia/Soviet Union
Africa
East Asia
Southeast Asia
Middle East and Mediterranean World
Latin America

Languages
All Ph.D. students must demonstrate reading competence in two languages other than English. A student may satisfy one of the language requirements by demonstrating competence in statistical methods.

Planning Form
In consultation with their advisors, Ph.D. students should complete a planning form. Click here to access the planning form. 

Comprehensive Examinations and Dissertation
After completing all required course work and language requirements, a Ph.D. student will take written and oral comprehensive examinations in his or her four fields of study.  Following the successful completion of these examinations, the student will write and defend a dissertation prospectus  and,ultimately, the dissertation itself. Prospectus and dissertation committees consist of three faculty members in history and one Ohio University faculty member from another department or school.