PhD in History in Ithaca United States | Cornell University

Cornell's Department of History boasts an exceptional faculty spanning diverse historical eras, global regions, and scholarly approaches. As a graduate student, you'll have opportunities to collaborate with scholars from the broader Graduate Field of History, including faculty whose primary appointments are in other Cornell colleges but who can advise History Ph.D. candidates. Our website provides comprehensive listings of both departmental and field faculty members. The program maintains flexible requirements, which include: completing seven graduate seminars (including History 7090: Introduction to Graduate Historical Studies), showing proficiency in two non-English languages (one for African studies specialists), fulfilling the Graduate School's six-semester residency requirement, serving as a teaching assistant for at least one year, passing the Q exam during the second semester, submitting a research paper by the end of year two, completing written and oral Admission to Candidacy exams (A exam), submitting an approved dissertation proposal within three months of the A exam, and successfully defending the doctoral dissertation.

For African, English/British, and American history students, demonstrating proficiency in one foreign language is required before taking the A exam. All other fields require two foreign languages. Language competency assessments are determined by the special committee in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS). While passing an intermediate-level placement test is the baseline expectation, research needs may demand greater proficiency. Students may petition for alternative arrangements regarding language requirements.

Ph.D. candidates entering with a master's degree from another institution must still fulfill all program requirements. While no formal transfer credits are awarded, previous graduate work in history may be considered by the special committee, potentially accelerating progress toward the doctorate.