Historians study the past, in all of its complexity, to better understand our contemporary world and the forces that created it. Historians analyze change over time, and they use archival and other primary-source evidence to build interpretations that explain change and put it into context. In seeking to understand historical subjects on their own terms, and by appreciating the diverse perspectives of past actors, students of history develop empathy even as they rigorously engage with the ethical dimensions of past human decisions and actions. When students understand the past, they recognize their power to shape the present and the future.
History faculty conduct research and teach courses in a wide range of eras—from ancient to modern times—and across most major world areas including Africa and the Middle East, South and East Asia, Europe and the Americas. History faculty also pursue multiple methodologies and approaches, including cultural, diplomatic, demographic, economic, environmental, ethnic, gender, intellectual, legal, political, religious, social and transnational history.
At CU Boulder, history graduate students are trained in the central principles and research methods that characterize the discipline of history through class instruction and professional development seminars. They also gain a thorough grounding in their particular geographical area of study as well as an ability to situate that area of study in a larger global context.
All PhD students focus their studies in two equally weighted fields:
- a regional/national field (i.e., American/U.S. history, European history or Asian history)
- a global/thematic field, for which students are required to take a variety of courses that examine global and transnational history through specific thematic lenses
For the purposes of the comprehensive examination (portfolio), students are expected to work with their faculty advisors to craft subfields of emphasis within both the regional/national and global/thematic fields.
Students wishing to pursue graduate work in history leading to candidacy for an advanced degree should read the Doctoral Degree Requirements section carefully. For more information, visit the department's Graduate Students webpage.
Requirements
Admission
A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score is no longer required for admission into the History graduate program.
Prerequisites
Students who wish to work toward the PhD degree in history must indicate acquaintance with the fundamental tools of historical scholarship and the ability to do original work with historical primary sources. The PhD program does not require the completion of a master's degree, but directly admits those qualified applicants, who have been recommended by the graduate admissions committee.
Degree Requirements
A total of 45 post-baccalaureate credit hours (39 coursework hours plus 6 portfolio hours) before advancing to candidacy, at least 36 of which must be taken at this university, and a dissertation are required for the degree. A minimum of one foreign language is required; however, students must be able to use those languages essential to research and advanced study in their respective fields. In addition, as required by the Graduate School, those students pursuing a PhD should complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of dissertation work beyond the minimum coursework requirement. The total number of required hours including required coursework, elective coursework, portfolio, and dissertation, is 69 hours.
After completion of the coursework requirements, each candidate for the PhD degree must assemble and defend a PhD portfolio before proceeding to the dissertation stage of the program. The dissertation must be an original contribution to the discipline. An oral defense of the dissertation must be successfully completed in order for the degree to be conferred.
Visit the History Graduate Studies website for a more detailed explanation of our program.
Required Courses and Credits
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| HIST 5000 | Historical Methods: Introduction to the Professional Study of History | 3 |
| Students must take a two-semester regional/national colloquium in their research field from those listed below: | 6 | |
| Graduate Colloquium in United States History (U.S. to 1865 & U.S. since 1865) | ||
| Graduate Colloquium in European History (Europe to 1789 & Europe since 1789) | ||
| Colloquium in Modern Asian History (China, Northeast Asia, or South Asia) | ||
| One additional colloquium course (5000-level) in a field outside of one’s own national/regional field. (The additional colloquium course will ordinarily count toward the student’s required global/thematic course hours.) | 3 | |
| At least 6 hours of coursework at the 7000 level. 7000-level research seminars may fill required hours for either the “regional/national” or the “global/thematic” field, depending on the subject area(s) of the course(s). | 6 | |
| Additional graduate-level courses to meet the 39 course credit hour minimum. Out of the total required coursework credit hours, a minimum of 18 credit hours must come in each of a student’s two fields: regional/national and global/thematic. Courses are chosen in consultation with the student's faculty advisor. | 21 | |
| 6 portfolio hours plus 24 additional dissertation hours | 30 | |
| Doctoral Dissertation | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 69 | |
Residence
At least three years of graduate study, two of which must be spent in residence, are required for the PhD degree.