Applicable only to students admitted during the 2024-2025 academic year.

History

College of Letters and Science

Graduate Degrees

The Department of History offers the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in History.

Admissions Requirements

Master’s Degree

Advising

The program only admits students to the Ph.D. program. During the first two years of study toward the Ph.D. degree, each student’s study plan (in consultation with the assigned Faculty Adviser) consists of course work, language training, and teaching apprenticeships. Students must meet with their faculty advisor, which is chosen upon entrance to the program, at least once a quarter. Completion of the requirements for the Master’s degree is designed to meet requirements for admission to the department’s doctoral program. Please consult the requirements for the doctoral degree.

Areas of Study

The comprehensive examination covers one of the following fields: (1) Ancient (includes ancient Middle East) and late antiquity; (2) Medieval; (3) European History, ca 1450 to present (also includes British History, Jewish, Russian, East Central and Southeast European History); (4) Africa; (5) Middle East (includes Armenia); (6) South and Southeast Asia; (7) China; (8) Japan; (9) Latin America; (10) U.S.; (11) History of Science, Medicine and Technology; (12) Jewish History; and (13) Religion.

Foreign Language Requirement

Reading knowledge of one foreign language approved by the department is required for the M.A. degree. It is recommended that this requirement be met in the first year of graduate work.

Students in the African history field must demonstrate proficiency at the intermediate level in two foreign languages, including one African language. For the MA exam, they must pass a language requirement for one of the two required languages. The requirement is fulfilled either by passing an exam approved by the faculty adviser or by completing an intermediate language course with a ‘B’ or better. For the exam option, it will be administered by either a faculty member or by an accredited language instructor approved by the faculty adviser. For exams given by faculty, the student will be asked to translate by hand a short text in 90 minutes with the help of a bilingual dictionary. The language requirement format is subject to the approval of the African History field coordinator and faculty adviser.

Students in the Ancient history field must have a reading knowledge of one foreign language approved by the field. In cases where the field deems it appropriate, course work or alternate languages may be used to fulfill the language requirement, subject to the approval of the field coordinator and faculty adviser. If the student decides the option of course work, they need to have a grade of B+ or better in a qualifying graduate seminar in History or Classics with a heavy language component.

Students in the Chinese history field must have a minimum of three years of Chinese. Ordinarily, the Chinese language requirement is fulfilled by successful completion of a History 282A-B research seminar.

Students in the European history field may qualify for an M.A. if they have passed one of the two language exams required for the Ph.D. by the time of the start of their sixth quarter. The exam will be administered by a faculty member and proctored by the History Graduate Office. The student will have 90 minutes for the exam, and they are allowed to bring their own dictionary.

Students in the Japanese history field must have a minimum of three years of Japanese language. Students need to take a 3-hour language examination, which will be administered by a faculty member and proctored by the History Graduate Office, before they can proceed to qualifying examinations. They are allowed to bring their own dictionary. Course work is permitted in lieu of the specific language exams with faculty adviser’s approval.

Students in the Jewish history field should have a reading knowledge of one foreign language approved by the department is required for the M.A. degree. In cases where the field deems it appropriate, course work or alternate languages may be used to fulfill the language requirement, subject to the approval of the field coordinator and faculty adviser.

Students in the Latin American history field must demonstrate proficiency in at least one foreign language by passing a departmentally administered exam, which will be administered by a faculty member and proctored by the History Graduate Office. The student will have 90 minutes for the exam and they are allowed to bring their own dictionary. In cases where the field coordinator and faculty adviser deem it appropriate, certain accredited language courses can fulfill the requirement, such as Quechua, Nahuatl, or Haitian Creole.

Students in the Medieval history field must have an excellent command of Latin, French, and German, as well as other modern and medieval languages, necessary for their areas of research. For the M.A. degree, only one language is required. Competencies could be fulfilled by: (1) completing six quarters (four semesters) of language with a ‘B’ or better grade; (2) successful completion of a departmental administered examination, which will be administered by a faculty member and proctored by the History Graduate Office. The student will have 90 minutes for the exam and they are allowed to bring their own dictionary; (3) completing two quarters of Medieval Latin at the 100 level with a ‘B’ or better grade; or (4) passing the Latin Exam set by the Classics department.

Students in the Middle East history field must demonstrate, to the satisfaction of their faculty adviser, proficiency in two Middle Eastern languages and one European language. Normally, students fulfill this requirement by taking a departmentally administered exam, which will be administered by a faculty member and proctored by the History Graduate Office. The student will have 90 minutes for the exam, and they are allowed to bring their own dictionary. Where appropriate, students, in consultation with their advisers, may use course work to fulfill the language requirement as long as students show a GPA of at least 3.7 (A-) in their course work.

Students in the Religion field must demonstrate proficiency in at least one foreign language by passing a departmentally administered exam, which will be administered by a faculty member and proctored by the History Graduate Office. The student will have 90 minutes for the exam, and they are allowed to bring their own dictionary. In cases where the field deems it appropriate, course work may be used to fulfill the language requirement, subject to the approval of the field coordinator and faculty adviser.

Students in the History of Science, Medicine and Technology field must take one foreign language, and it must be fulfilled by taking a department exam, which will be administered by a faculty member and proctored by the History Graduate Office. The student will have 90 minutes for the exam, and they are allowed to bring their own dictionary.

Students in the South and Southeast Asian history field must demonstrate proficiency in at least one foreign language by passing a departmentally administered exam, which will be administered by a faculty member and proctored by the History Graduate Office. The student will have 90 minutes for the exam, and they are allowed to bring their own dictionary. In cases where the field deems it appropriate, course work may be used to fulfill the language requirement, subject to the approval of the field coordinator and faculty adviser.

Students in the U.S. history field must pass a departmentally administered language exam, which will be administered by a faculty member and proctored by the History Graduate Office. The student will have 90 minutes for the exam, and they are allowed to bring their own dictionary.

Course Requirements

Nine courses (36 units) are required for the degree, at least six courses (24 units) of which must be graduate courses (200 series); the other courses may be drawn from among upper division courses (100 series). All students must successfully complete the 36 units (normally nine courses) taken for a letter grade (unless only offered S/U). The six graduate courses must include at least one continuing two- or three-quarter research seminar which must include the preparation of a substantial research paper. When appropriate to specific research interests and scheduling exigencies, upon successful petition to the Field Coordinator, students may substitute courses within their two-quarter seminars. A one-quarter seminar followed immediately by the next quarter with a directed studies course (HIST 596) may replace the required two-quarter seminar. The two-quarter seminar(s) (and/or seminar with course substitution) must culminate in a substantial research paper at the end of the second quarter.

History 495 and courses in the 300 series are not applicable toward course requirements. All students may use up to a maximum of two History 596 courses for both the total course requirement and the minimum six graduate course requirement. Note: only one of the two 500-series courses may be applied toward the total degree requirements without petitioning the field coordinator or faculty advisor and when appropriate the Vice Chair of Graduate Affairs.

Students in African History must complete at least one two-quarter research seminar, History 275A- 275B, culminating in a substantial research paper at the end of the second quarter. Petitions to replace this requirement with other two-quarter seminar options described above must be approved by the field coordinator and adviser.

Students in Ancient History are required to complete at least one continuing two- or three-quarter seminar, or alternatively, a continuing sequence of at least two graduate courses.

Students in Chinese History must complete at least one two-quarter research seminar, History 282A-282B, in the major field.

Students in History of Science, Medicine and Technology are required to take at least one, 2-quarter research seminar in the first two years of study. A second two-quarter research seminar is highly recommended. They are also expected to take History 200O-Advanced Historiography in History of Science, once in the first year and once in the second year.

Students in Japanese History must complete one continuing two-or-three quarter research seminar or alternatively, a continuing sequence of at least two graduate courses—which must all include the completion of a substantial research paper, based at least in part on primary sources.

Students in Jewish History are required to complete at least one continuing two- or three-quarter seminar or alternatively, a continuing sequence of at least two graduate courses.

Students in Latin American History must complete a two-quarter research seminar (History 266, 267, 268). The completion of two graduate seminars in the same subfield (colonial or modern) may be applied to satisfy the two-quarter research requirement if a relevant two-quarter seminar has not been offered during a student’s term of pre-candidacy (i.e., within two to three years).

Students in Medieval History must take History 200C-Advanced Historiography or its equivalent, and must complete a two- or three-quarter research seminar or a sequence of two graduate history courses that results in the writing of a research-based paper on primary sources.

Students in Middle East History must complete two of the following seminars: Historiography of the Pre-Modern Middle East, Historiography of the Early-Modern Middle East, and Historiography of the Modern Middle East.

Students in the Religion field must complete one two quarter seminar, or alternatively a one quarter research seminar followed by a 596 course.

Students in South and Southeast Asian History must complete at least one continuing two- or three-quarter seminar, or alternatively, a continuing sequence of at least two graduate courses.

For students in U.S. History Field, courses must all be taken at the graduate level (courses numbered 200 and above). Required courses consist of: History 246A-246B-246C; one 200-level seminar in another field within the department; one 200-level course in another department; History 204 (the departmental seminar on historiography); and at least one continuing two-quarter seminar.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

The department follows the capstone plan. Individual fields specify the fulfillment of the examination requirement by (1) a written examination designed to assess the candidate’s ability to synthesize a broad field of knowledge; or (2) the submission of three essays as part of the candidate’s program of study written for at least three different professors. At least two of these papers must have been submitted for graduate courses in the 200 series.

The comprehensive examination, regardless of format, is graded (1) pass to continue to the Ph.D.; (2) pass, subject to reevaluation for continuance to the Ph.D.; (3) terminal M.A. pass; or (4) fail. In cases where the M.A. degree is awarded with pass subject to reevaluation, the field M.A. committee conducts a special reevaluation of the candidate’s progress after no more than three additional quarters of study.

All students must file a petition for advancement to candidacy with the Graduate Office within the first two weeks of the quarter in which they expect to receive their master’s degree.

In addition, some fields have examination formats that differ from the above, and specify dates when the examinations are given, as follows:

Students in the African field may fulfill the M.A. examination requirement by either: (1) completing a four-hour comprehensive written examination designed to assess the candidate’s ability to synthesize methodological and pedagogical approaches and historiographical trends in African history; or (2) submitting three revised essays written for three different professors, at least one of whom must be from the African History field. At least two of these papers must have been submitted for graduate courses in the History 200-series and should show significant engagement with methodological approaches and historiographical trends in African history. Students in the African History field should complete the requirement by May of the second year in the program. Successful completion of the MA examination requirement, including a retake exam, is subject to the approval of all faculty members of the African History field. Those taking the four-hour written examination are allowed one retake, which should be taken within a month of the first attempt. Students entering with an M.A. in African Studies or African History are exempt from the capstone plan (exam or three essays).

Students in the China field are examined in three fields, and must begin the written qualifying exams no later than the end of the ninth quarter of graduate work. Students are permitted to retake a written examination once, within a six-month time period. Further, the oral qualifying examination is based on the dissertation prospectus and is scheduled once the three written examinations have been successfully completed.

All students in the European field must take the doctoral written qualifying examination which usually begins during spring break between the fifth and sixth quarters in residence (i.e. in the second year). Examinations take the form of three take-home written exams, set by three examiners of the student’s committee and administered usually over a period of two weeks (i.e. three weekends) beginning in Spring Break. These exams are intended to test a comprehensive, broad understanding of European history, both of the modern and early modern periods. An ability to synthesize factual information, sometimes across long chronological periods is, consequently, essential. Knowledge of the scholarly literature and of the principal historiographical controversies arising out of it is tested along with interpretive capabilities. Questions relating to the planning of college-level history courses may appear on the examination.

Students in the European field who fail the written examination may petition to retake it in the following spring quarter. The written examination may be retaken only once. The field can also require that the student retake one section of the exam by the end of the following June (i.e. two months later). In either case, the exam has to follow the same procedure as before: administered by the three examiners of the student’s committee, with a full report to the Field as a whole (communicated through the Field Coordinator). These written exams will be followed in the subsequent week by an oral examination of approximately one hour conducted by all three faculty members. The committee as a whole will grade the three exams. The purpose of the oral examination is to allow the committee to ask further questions about the material of their field in order to assess competency has been attained. The committee as a whole must come to a unanimous decision to indicate a candidate has achieved an overall pass by passing each of the field exams. The examination process is normally completed by the end of April in the second year.

Students in the Religion field are required to take two written examinations, comprising a general field exam on the academic study of religion, based around a core set bibliography, and a specific field exam on a specific region and/or religion. The exams are usually take-home exams that are either 48 or 72 hours, in an open book format.

The History of Science, Medicine and Technology field requires their students to pass the written comprehensive examination, to earn the M.A. degree, and continue to the oral qualifying examination for admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. It is normally administered at the end of the sixth quarter of study, normally in June of the second year. Graduate students are allowed to retake the exam once.

South and Southeast Asia students are expected to take their written qualifying exams no later than the end of the third year; once passed, they will have earned the M.A degree. Students are required to take written examinations in three of their four chosen fields. The exams are usually take-home exams that are either 48 or 72 hours, in an open book format.

At the end of the first year for Medieval History students, the field committee will evaluate the results of a student’s course work, and research paper, and will determine whether a student will be awarded an M.A., and be admitted to the Ph.D. program.

The Middle East field requires students to pass the written comprehensive examination, to earn the M.A. degree, and continue to the oral qualifying examination for admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. Retakes are decided by the student’s faculty adviser.

The U.S. field requires students to pass the written comprehensive examination following 24 months in academic residence, to earn the M.A. degree, and continue to the oral qualifying examination for admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. Students who fail the examination may retake it once by petition within the quarter or year. Students failing the exam a second time will not continue in the program.

Thesis Plan

None.

Time-to-Degree

Students are advised to complete the Master’s requirements within six quarters of full-time study. The department will recommend to the Graduate Division academic disqualification for students who do not complete the requirements for the Master’s Degree within six quarters, unless, by petition, the Graduate Affairs Committee grants an extension of time.

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.A.	6	6	9

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Entering students must select and submit the name of a faculty adviser to the graduate adviser by the end of the sixth week of the first quarter. Students are expected to meet with the adviser no less than two times a quarter during the first year. By the end of six quarters, students must submit the name of a dissertation chair and committee members to the graduate counselor. During the third year, students are expected to maintain contact (at least two times during the quarter) with the dissertation chair and all committee members, including the faculty member from the outside field. Upon advancing to candidacy, students are expected to maintain contact (at least three times during the year) with the dissertation chair. Failure to maintain contact with the dissertation chair and committee members will result in departmental probationary status and may result in a recommendation for academic disqualification. The department’s graduate adviser, a full-time staff member, monitors the progress of students in their programs. Students are encouraged to consult the graduate adviser about requirements and procedures for progress toward the Ph.D. degree.

The departmental Graduate Affairs Committee, consisting of five faculty members and one graduate student are appointed by the chair of the department. The committee reviews and makes recommendations regarding all doctoral programs, and any petitions requesting exceptions from the regular program requirements. The vice chair for graduate affairs is an ex officio member of this committee and channels all petitions and programs for review to the committee. The student’s committee chair is normally consulted about petitions and exceptions.

The following evaluation procedures determine whether continuing students may proceed to the Ph.D. degree:

• Students who enter the graduate program with a B.A. degree: an evaluation comparable to the M.A. comprehensive examination must occur within the period of six quarters.
• Students who enter with a master’s degree from another department: an evaluation must be completed by the end of three quarters of study in the History Department in order to determine whether or not they are permitted to continue toward the Ph.D. This evaluation is conducted in the same manner as described under the M.A. program.

All students must present to the Graduate Affairs Committee a field approval form signed by the faculty member who has agreed to support their work for the Ph.D., and in accord with the following schedule: by the end of the seventh quarter or earlier for those who enter with only a B.A. degree, and by the end of the third quarter or earlier for those entering with an M.A. degree from another department. Students who do not meet the time limits for proceeding to the Ph.D. degree are subject to recommendation for academic disqualification.

An annual review of all graduate students is conducted every spring quarter by the Graduate Affairs Committee. Letters are written to those students with program or grade-point deficiencies or other academic problems.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

Ancient Greece; Ancient Rome; medieval constitutional and legal; medieval social and economic; medieval ecclesiastical and religious; medieval intellectual and cultural (specialists in medieval history may offer no more than two of these fields in medieval history); Byzantine; ancient Middle East; the Middle East, 500 to 1300; the Middle East 1300-1700; the Middle East since 1700; Armenian; survey of African history; topics in African history (preferably on a regional basis); history of science since ca 1450; Topics in European history from c.1450 onward (for Russia from c.800 onwards) – for further information, see the section below for the European Field; China 900 to 1800; China since 1800; early modern Japan; modern Japan; pre-modern Korea; modern Korea; South Asia; Southeast Asia; Latin America, 1492 to 1830; Latin America since 1830; Latin America and globalization; history of religion; Jewish history; history of Christianity; comparative history; U.S.: Afro-American, American diplomatic, American West, American Indian, Asian American, California, history of the South, Civil War and Reconstruction, Colonial, cultural, economic, immigration, intellectual, Jeffersonian and Jacksonian America (1800 to 1850), labor, 20th century, urban, women’s history.

Comparative history Ph.D. students may choose comparative history as one of their four fields. This means choosing one topic across three existing Ph.D. fields. The topic should be chosen with the help of the student’s Ph.D. advisers; among possible topics are labor history, women’s history, history of religions, economic history, and many others. The geographical/temporal fields covered may correspond to some or all of the other student’s three Ph.D. fields. The comparative field is more intensive and involves genuine comparisons. It is highly recommended (and comparative chairs may require) that those majoring in a Western field choose one non-Western field and vice versa. Two or three professors may, if needed, supervise a comparative program, and may help examine the candidate either on the orals or by written examination.

Foreign Language Requirement

A reading knowledge of the languages listed below for the major fields is required. If only two languages are listed for the field, students must demonstrate competency by passing examinations administered by the department, for certain fields, or by the appropriate language department. In cases where the field deems it appropriate, course work or alternate languages may be used to fulfill the language requirements, subject to the approval of the field coordinator and faculty adviser. For a third or fourth language, evidence of competence satisfactory to the chair of the doctoral committee is considered acceptable.

No oral qualifying examination for the Ph.D. degree may be scheduled until students have passed an examination in at least two foreign languages, except for students in U.S. history, who are required to demonstrate competency in only one foreign language.

While graduate courses are conducted in English, reading knowledge of an appropriate secondary language may be required for admission to seminars by some fields.

African History: Students must demonstrate proficiency and pass an examination in at least two languages, one of which must be an African language. The requirement is fulfilled either by passing an exam approved by the faculty advisor or by completing an intermediate language course with a ‘B’ or better. For the exam option, it will be administered by either a faculty member or by an accredited language instructor approved by the faculty advisor. For exams given by faculty, the student will be asked to translate by hand a short text in 90 minutes with the help of a bilingual dictionary. The language requirement format is subject to the approval of the African History field coordinator and faculty adviser.

Ancient History: Students must take Ph.D. exams that include translation from Greek and Latin (as well as other languages they may elect in their major or minor fields such as Hebrew, Aramaic, Egyptian, etc.). For a third or fourth ancient language, course work may be accepted at the discretion of the field. Modern languages for all students (French, German, and Modern Greek) and (Italian for students in Roman History) require examinations set by the field. The exam will be administered by a faculty member and proctored by the History Graduate Office. The student will have 90 minutes for the exam and they are allowed to bring their own dictionary.

Chinese History: A minimum of three years of Chinese; for the Ph.D., a high degree of proficiency in Chinese, and, normally, at least one quarter of third-year Japanese. The Japanese requirement can be fulfilled by successful completion of Japanese 100A or its equivalent. In certain cases, reading knowledge of another foreign language may also be required. Admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. in the Chinese field requires the completion of a research seminar in the major field. Successful completion of this seminar requires the equivalent of at least four years of superior college-level language work in Chinese. In cases where the field deems it appropriate, course work or alternate languages may be used to fulfill the language requirements, subject to the approval of the field coordinator and faculty adviser.

European History: Students must demonstrate proficiency in two foreign languages prior to advancement to candidacy. Proficiency in foreign languages is to be determined by successful completion of a departmental language examination. The exam will be administered by a faculty member and proctored by the History Graduate Office. The student will have 90 minutes for the exam, and they are allowed to bring their own dictionary. Exceptions to this rule must be approved by the faculty adviser and the field coordinator. For those working on (1) Europe: French and German, either of which can be replaced by another language deemed necessary for research; (2) Russian or East European history: Russian plus German or French, any of which can be replaced by another language deemed necessary for research. All substitutions must be approved via petition by the faculty adviser and the field coordinator.

Japanese History: For the Ph.D., four years of Japanese course work (Advanced level) or its equivalent, demonstrated ability in specialized Japanese that will allow one to read source materials (e.g. course work or its equivalent in Kanbun, Sorobun, Bungotai, and/or Meiji documents). Admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. in the Japanese field requires the completion of a research seminar in the major field. Successful completion of this seminar usually requires the equivalent of at least four years of superior college-level language work in Japanese.

Jewish History: Students must pass departmental examinations in at least two foreign languages which are to be determined in consultation with the student’s adviser. The exam will be administered by a faculty member and proctored by the History Graduate Office. The student will have 90 minutes for the exam, and they are allowed to bring their own dictionary. Students should consult with their primary adviser in the first year of graduate study to determine the course of language preparation most suitable to their research interests.

Latin American History: Students in the Latin American field should demonstrate fluency in Spanish or Portuguese and proficiency in a second language, including Spanish, Portuguese, French, or an indigenous language. In cases where the field deems it appropriate, course work may be used to fulfill the language requirements, such as Nahuatl or Quechua, in accordance with the student’s particular research interests and subject to the approval of the field coordinator and faculty adviser.

Medieval History: All medievalists must have an excellent command of Latin, French, and/or German, as well as any other modern and medieval languages necessary for their particular areas of research. In cases where the field deems it appropriate, course work or alternate languages may be used to fulfill the language requirements, subject to the approval of the field coordinator and faculty adviser. If the student decides to use the option of course work, they should have a minimum of 6 quarters in the language they petition.

Middle East History: Students in the Middle East history field must demonstrate, to the satisfaction of their faculty adviser, proficiency in two Middle Eastern languages and one European language prior to advancement to candidacy. Normally, a departmentally administered exam, which will be administered by a faculty member and proctored by the History Graduate Office is given to the student. The student will have 90 minutes for the exam and they are allowed to bring their own dictionary. Where appropriate, students, in consultation with their advisers, may use course work to fulfill the language requirement as long as students show a GPA of 3.7 (A-) in their course work. These languages should be germane to the student’s present and future research interests and are chosen in consultation with the student’s adviser. Those students who seek to specialize in Armenian history must demonstrate a reading knowledge of Classical Armenian (Grabar), one European language other than English, and at least one other Middle Eastern language germane to the student’s present and future research interests and chosen in consultation with his/her faculty adviser.

History of Religion: Before proceeding to their dissertation, students in the Religion field must demonstrate proficiency in at least two relevant foreign language by passing a departmentally administered exam, which will be administered by a faculty member and proctored by the History Graduate Office. The student will have 90 minutes for the exam, and they are allowed to bring their own dictionary. Students should consult with their primary adviser in the first year of graduate study to determine the course of language preparation most suitable to their research interests. In cases where the field deems it appropriate, course work may be used to fulfill the language requirement, subject to the approval of the field coordinator and faculty adviser.

History of Science, Medicine and Technology: Prior to advancement to candidacy, students must demonstrate proficiency in two foreign languages. Students must consult with their faculty advisers to settle on the languages most necessary for their research and training in the field. Students planning to write dissertations on U.S. topics may petition to waive the requirement for a second foreign language if they can show that the dissertation would benefit from such language proficiency. In exceptional cases where the student’s research field does not plausibly require knowledge of two foreign languages, the student may request exemption from the second foreign language requirement. This exception must be approved by the history of science faculty.

South and Southeast Asian history: Before proceeding to their dissertation, students must pass reading comprehension examinations in at least two relevant languages. A reading comprehension will also be required for at least one language, other than English, external to the region, normally drawn from French, Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic, Persian (for South Asia), Chinese or Japanese (for Southeast Asia). However, with the approval of the student’s adviser, the student may petition to have the second language also be drawn from the country or cultural area being studied by the student. In cases where the field deems it appropriate, course work may be used to fulfill the language requirements, subject to the approval of the field coordinator and faculty adviser.

U.S. history: One modern foreign language to be fulfilled through a departmental language examination. The exam will be administered by a faculty member and proctored by the History Graduate Office. The student will have 90 minutes for the exam, and they are allowed to bring their own dictionary.

Course Requirements

All incoming students are required to complete History 204 (Fall seminar) and complete at least one continuing two- or three-quarter seminar, which must include the preparation of a substantial research paper. When appropriate to specific research interests and scheduling exigencies, upon successful petition to the Field Coordinator, students may substitute courses within their two-quarter seminars. A one-quarter seminar followed immediately by the next quarter with a directed studies course (HIST 596) may replace the required two-quarter seminar. The two-quarter seminar(s) (and/or seminar with course substitution) must culminate in a substantial research paper at the end of the second quarter. A maximum of eight units of HIST 596 may be used for all fields. Note: Only one of the two 500-series courses may be used without petitioning the field coordinator or faculty advisor and when appropriate, the Vice Chair of Graduate Affairs.

All students must successfully complete coursework for the degree for a letter grade (unless only offered S/U).

All students must write a dissertation prospectus (for credit under History 596 or 597) which is expected to contain (1) a full statement of the dissertation topic; (2) a historiographical discussion of the literature bearing on the topic; (3) a statement of the methodology to be employed; and (4) a survey of the sources sufficient to demonstrate the viability of the topic. The prospectus must be submitted in writing to the dissertation adviser for approval prior to the oral part of the qualifying examinations. After approval, a copy of the prospectus is given to each member of the examining committee.

Students who are admitted with subject deficiencies must complete courses in addition to those required for the degree program.

Members of doctoral committees may require that individual students complete additional courses that they deem necessary for preparation for the qualifying examinations. Courses taken to fulfill M.A. degree requirements may be used to satisfy Ph.D. degree requirements.

The following course work is required in specific fields:

(1) U.S. History — courses must all be taken at the graduate level (courses numbered 200 and above). Required courses consist of History 246A-246B-246C; one 200-level seminar in another field within the department; one 200-level course in another department; History 204 (the departmental seminar on historiography); and at least one continuing two-quarter seminar.

(2) European history — History 204 and one two-quarter seminar

(3) Chinese history — two research seminars, History 282A-282B

(4) Middle East history — two of the following seminars: Historiography of the Pre-Modern Middle East, Historiography of the Early-Modern Middle East, and Historiography of the Modern Middle East

(5) History of Science, Medicine and Technology — History 200 twice (once in the first year and once in the second ). A second two-quarter research seminar, while not required, is highly recommended.

Teaching Experience

The department cannot provide teaching experience for all Ph.D. candidates and therefore does not require it for the degree. However, students should be able to demonstrate the ability to give instruction in their field.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

Academic Senate regulations require all doctoral students to complete and pass university written and oral qualifying examinations prior to doctoral advancement to candidacy. Also, under Senate regulations, the University Oral Qualifying Examination is open only to the student and appointed members of the doctoral committee. In addition to university requirements, some graduate programs have other pre-candidacy examination requirements. What follows in this section is how students are required to fulfill all of these requirements for this doctoral program.

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

All Fields

Students with outstanding incomplete grades may not be permitted to sit for the written and oral qualifying examinations. The written qualifying examination must be passed before the oral qualifying examination can be taken. Students must begin the written qualifying examinations no later than the end of the ninth quarter of graduate study. To be eligible to sit for their qualifying examinations, student must have completed all their course work and language requirements.

African Field

Written Qualifying Examination

Students are expected to take their written qualifying exams no later than the last quarter of their third year. Students are required to take written examinations in their major field and two of their chosen minor/outside fields. The written exams are take-home exams completed in open-book format over a continuous 4-day (80-hour period). Subject to committee approval, students can revise and resubmit one or more exam questions within two weeks of receiving exam results.

Oral Qualifying Examination

The oral examination must be completed within a period not exceeding six months from the passing of the written examination. The oral qualifying examination has two basic components: (1) a return to issues raised in the written qualifying examinations; (2) a defense of the written doctoral research prospectus.

Ancient Field

Written Qualifying Examination

Students present four fields for preliminary examinations. Three of these must be in History (e.g. Greece, Rome, and Late Antiquity), and the fourth may be another History field from another department (e.g. literal history, Roman law or paleography). The preliminary exam lasts for eight hours, and is usually taken after approximately three years of work in the department. Students are allowed to retake a failed exam no more than twice. Each exam may be attempted no more than once in a given quarter.

Oral Qualifying Examination

Upon passing the written qualifying examinations, the student must take the oral qualifying examination. The oral qualifying examination has three basic components: (1) a return to issues raised in the written qualifying examinations; (2) an oral examination by the committee members; and (3) a defense of the written doctoral research prospectus.

China Field

A full-time graduate student must begin the written qualifying examinations no later than the end of the ninth quarter of graduate work. In the written qualifying examinations, students are examined in three fields, one of which may be an approved field in anthropology, economics, geography, language and literature, philosophy, political science, sociology, or other allied subjects. Students are expected to show not only a mastery of their special subject, but also an adequate grasp of the wider field of knowledge and an ability to correlate historical data and to explain their significance. The members of the doctoral committee determine whether or not an examination may be repeated (normally only once), based on their prognosis of the student’s potential for successfully completing both the written and oral examinations within a specified period of time to be designated by the doctoral committee, but not to exceed one calendar year. The written qualifying examination is not to exceed four (4) hours and must be turned in to the Graduate Adviser’s Office no later than 5:00 pm of the day of the examination.

Oral Qualifying Examination

Further, the oral qualifying examination will focus on questions relating to the dissertation prospectus and is scheduled once the three written examinations have been successfully completed. All committee members will be present for the exam.

European Field

Written Qualifying Examination

All students in the European field take the doctoral written qualifying examination, which usually begins during spring break between the fifth and sixth quarters in residence (i.e. in the second year).

Examinations take the form of three take-home written exams, set by the three examiners of the student’s committee and administered usually over a period of two weeks (i.e. three weekends) beginning in Spring Break. They are intended to test a comprehensive, broad understanding of European history, both of the modern and early modern periods. An ability to synthesize factual information, sometimes across long chronological periods is, consequently, essential. Knowledge of the scholarly literature and of the principal historiographical controversies arising out of it is tested, along with interpretive capabilities. Questions relating to the planning of college-level history courses may appear on the examination.

Students in the European field who fail the written examination may petition to retake it in the following spring quarter. The written examination may be retaken only once. The field can also require that the student retake one section of the exam by the end of the following June (i.e. two months later). In either case, the exam has to follow the same procedure as before: administered by the three examiners of the student’s committee, with a full report to the Field as a whole (communicated through the Field Coordinator)

These written exams will be followed in the subsequent week by an oral examination of approximately one hour conducted by all three faculty members. The committee as a whole will grade the three exams. The purpose of the oral is to allow the committee to ask further questions about the material of their field in order to assure themselves that due competency has been attained. The committee as a whole needs to be unanimous that a candidate has achieved an overall pass by passing each of the fields. The examination process is normally completed by the end of April in the second year.

Oral Qualifying Examination

The Oral Examination is primarily conducted as a discussion of the student’s dissertation prospectus, in the presence of the fourth member of the committee, external to the Department of History, who represents a fourth field and with whom the student has also worked in the preparation of the dissertation prospectus. While the focus of the oral examination is the prospectus itself, students may expect to discuss substantive elements of their four fields as they relate to the proposed research in the prospectus. The oral qualifying examination is typically completed by the end of third year.

Japan Field

Before advancement to candidacy, students must pass written and oral examinations. Students with outstanding incompletes may not be permitted to sit for these exams.

Written Qualifying Examination

In the written qualifying examinations, students are expected to demonstrate synthetic and in-depth competence in each of the examining fields. This includes both awareness of broader historiographical and methodological debates, as well as an appreciation of the stakes and issues involved in such analyses. Students will be examined on a minimum of three fields, selected in consultation with their faculty adviser. One of the fields may be taken with an examiner from outside of the department, with approval from the adviser. The written qualifying examination normally consists of an eight-hour written essay response for the major field, and either four or eight hour responses for the remaining fields (the time to be agreed upon by the examiners and the student at their option). The written exams may be taken in staggered order, but normally no less than one per week until completion. The written qualifying examination must be passed before the oral qualifying examination can be taken. The members of the doctoral committee determine whether or not an examination may be repeated (normally only once), based on their prognosis of the student’s potential for successfully completing both the written and oral examinations within a specified period of time to be designated by the doctoral committee, but not to exceed one calendar year.

Oral Qualifying Examination The oral examination will consider the completed prospectus for the student’s dissertation topic. Normally the oral examination of the completed prospectus will follow within six months or less of the written examination. The examining committee will consist of the members of the student’s doctoral committee.

Jewish Field

Written Qualifying Examination

Students must take a written qualifying examination by the end of the third year of study. The written qualifying examination consists of two components: (1) a written examination in the major field, and (2) a two-hour oral examination covering all four fields, to be taken within a week of the written examination. There are two parts: for each part, students are given a choice of two questions and will be asked to write on one. The exam is conducted over a single day (8am-5pm). The members of the doctoral committee determine whether or not an examination may be repeated (normally only once), based on their prognosis of the student’s potential for successfully completing both the written and oral examinations in a timely manner not to exceed one calendar year.

Oral Qualifying Examination

The University Oral Qualifying Examination, which is a defense of the dissertation prospectus, must be taken within six months of passing the written qualifying examination.

Latin American Field

Written Qualifying Examination

The written qualifying examination is administered by the student’s principal adviser, focusing on the subfield (colonial or modern) in which the student is specializing. The chair provides three questions and the student is asked to write on two of them. The examination normally consists of two broad, substantive questions which do not overlap with content covered in the dissertation prospectus. The written examination should be taken at least one week before the oral examination. The written exams are a take home exam and the student has 24 hours to write them. There is no length requirement. The essays are read by the chair of the committee who determines whether they pass or not. The chair will then inform the committee members before the oral examination.

Oral Qualifying Examination

The oral qualifying examination focuses on questions and issues related to the dissertation prospectus, which must be distributed to members of the committee at least two weeks before the date of the examination. The oral exam should be taken within one month of the written exam.

Medieval Field

Written Qualifying Examination

The written examination includes questions set by members of the student’s medieval fields. Students are examined in four fields, including two medieval fields, one historical field outside of medieval history, and one field outside of history. One retake is allowed to be taken within 4 months of the original exam. The exams are 4 hours long and are usually taken by Spring Quarter of the third year.

Oral Qualifying Examination

A portion of the oral qualifying examination explores the student’s dissertation prospectus. Committee members may also follow up on the written qualifying examination and pose additional questions to their fields. The oral qualifying examination is usually taken one week following the written qualifying examination. With agreement of their committee, students may take the oral exam up to six months after the written exam, in order to complete additional reading or prepare a dissertation prospectus.

Middle East Field

Written Qualifying Examination

Students are examined in each of two Middle East fields. One of these is the major field, the other field can be outside of the Middle East with the permission of the chair of the dissertation committee. The major field might be Pre-Modern Middle Eastern history, Early Modern Middle Eastern history, Modern Middle Eastern history, or Armenian history. The Middle East field requires students to achieve a satisfactory pass of the doctoral written qualifying examination. Retakes are decided by the graduate student’s adviser.

Oral Qualifying Examination

The oral qualifying examination focuses on questions relating to the dissertation prospectus, which must be distributed to members of the committee at least two weeks before the oral examination.

Religion Field

Written Qualifying Examination

Students are expected to take their written qualifying exams no later than the end of the third year. Students in the Religion field are required to take two written exams, comprising a general field exam on the academic study of religion, based around a core set bibliography, and a specific field exam on a specific region and/or religion. In consultation with their faculty advisor and field coordinator, students may also sit a third optional exam (for example, to qualify on two different regions or religions). The exams are usually take-home exams of either 48 or 72 hours, in an open-book format.

Oral Qualifying Examination

The oral examination is held shortly after the written examination or, at the discretion of the doctoral committee, up to six months after the written examination. The oral examination will include, at a minimum, a defense of the prospectus.

Science, Medicine and Technology Field

Written Qualifying Examination

Students must take the written qualifying examination in June of the second year of study. Students are examined in three distinct fields: (1) Core field which is a general overview of the history of science, medicine, and technology from the ancients to the present; (2) Specific/major field which is defined by the student in close consultation with relevant faculty members; (3) Field outside the history of science, in an area taught in the other fields of the department. Students should consult with their faculty adviser regarding the outside field. The student will have 5 hours to take each exam.

Oral Qualifying Examination

The oral examination should be taken as soon after the written examination as possible but not later than the end of the third year of graduate study.

South and Southeast Asia Field

Written Qualifying Examination

Students are expected to take their written qualifying exams no later than the end of the third year. Students are required to take written examinations in three of their four chosen fields. The exams are usually take-home exams that are either 48 or 72 hours, in an open book format.

Oral Qualifying Examination

The oral examination is held shortly after the written examination or, at the discretion of the doctoral committee, as late as six months after the written examination.

U.S. Field

Written Qualifying Examination

Students must take the written qualifying examination following 24 months in academic residence. The written qualifying examination is administered once a year at the beginning of fall quarter. Students who fail the examination may retake it once by petition when it is offered again at the beginning of the next fall quarter. Students who fail the examination a second time are not permitted to continue in the program.

The written examination is intended to test a comprehensive broad understanding of American history both before and after the independence of the U.S. All facets of history (political, social, diplomatic, etc.) are included. Therefore, an ability to synthesize factual information, sometimes across long chronological periods, is essential. Knowledge of the scholarly literature and of the principal historiographical controversies arising out of it is tested along with the student’s interpretive capabilities. Passing of the examination implies that the student is qualified, in the judgment of the U.S. field, to teach courses in U.S. history at the college level. Questions related to the planning of such courses may appear on the examination.

Oral Qualifying Examination

Students must complete all prior degree requirements before taking the University Oral Qualifying Examination. Students who have outstanding incomplete grades are not permitted to take this examination. The examination is normally taken during a student’s third year of study. The examination committee must include four faculty members, including the student’s adviser. Normally, two members come from the U.S. field. One member must come from a field in the department other than the U.S. field, and one must come from another department.

During the examination, students are questioned about their dissertation proposal and, in connection with the proposal and their preparation with the members of the examination committee, they also may be questioned on related fields of study. Students either pass or fail the examination. By majority vote of the committee, students who fail the examination may retake it once. Students whose committees do not agree to a repeat of the examination and students who fail the examination a second time are not permitted to continue in the program.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy and awarded the Candidate in Philosophy (C. Phil.) degree upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Every doctoral degree program requires the completion of an approved dissertation that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the principal field of study.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of Dissertation)

Not required for all students in the program. The decision as to whether a defense is required is made by the doctoral committee.

Time-to-Degree

Students who enter the program with a bachelor’s degree are expected to complete the Ph.D. within 18 to 21 quarters, depending on the requirements of the specific field. Students who enter the program with a master’s degree are expected to complete the degree within 12 to 15 quarters. Further, a doctoral candidate is expected to complete the dissertation no later than 18 quarters from the date of matriculation into the fields of U.S., England or European Colonialism and Imperialism, or within 21 quarters of the date of entry into all other fields.

The following is a suggested timeline:

• End of three quarters: completion of six to nine courses, one foreign language examination.
• End of six quarters: completion of master’s course work, additional language requirements, master’s written examinations, and submission of research papers.
• End of nine to 12 quarters: completion of additional language requirements as specified by the field, completion of the prospectus and oral examinations.
• End of 15 quarters: completion of archival research.
• End of 18 to 21 quarters: completion of dissertation writing.

This timeline is a suggested model. Students are encouraged to complete the program in an even shorter time than suggested, if possible. The Graduate Affairs Committee reviews student progress on a regular basis and informs students who are failing to make normative time-to-degree progress.

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
Ph.D.	12	21	27

Academic Disqualification and Appeal of Disqualification

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for academic disqualification from graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing academic disqualification of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

Special Departmental or Program Policy

In order for the student to retain departmental funding, they are required to maintain a 3.7 GPA (A-) by the end of the first academic year and maintain that average during the remainder of the program. A student may be recommended for academic disqualification at the end of the first year if the Graduate Affairs Committee determines, after consultation with the faculty in the student’s field of study, that the student does not have the academic qualifications for successfully completing a degree. If a student’s grade point average falls below 3.70 due to Incomplete grades that lapse to F, the student is given the opportunity to remove the F grades within one quarter before action is taken regarding a recommendation for academic disqualification.

A student who fails to proceed according to normal progress stipulations is subject to academic disqualification. Academic disqualification will only occur if the student is unable to meet the expectations outlined within the academic letter they receive from the department. A student may be granted a one-year extension of time by petitioning the Graduate Affairs Committee and showing that the dissertation can be completed within one year. Further extensions are considered on an individual basis, taking into consideration the extent and type of research required, availability of source material, and other, sometimes personal, mitigating factors which may cause delays. It is the student’s responsibility to inform both the doctoral chair and the graduate office of progress (or lack thereof) and estimated completion dates. A student may be recommended for academic disqualification after 21 quarters if there has been no communication with the department after the oral qualifying examination.