By the end of the fall semester of their second year, doctoral students must consult with their major professor to prepare a preliminary Program of Study (Program of Study Worksheet). This plan outlines the courses that will fulfill departmental and Graduate School requirements and should reflect the student’s primary and secondary research interests. The program of study must constitute a logical and rigorous whole, comprising at least 10 graduate-level courses (30 credit hours). The final Program of Study form must be finalized prior to the student’s comprehensive examinations, and no later than Friday of the second full week of classes during the semester in which the student takes those exams. This deadline ensures timely certification of eligibility.* *The final Program of Study form is currently in Grad Status and is transitioning to DegreeWorks soon. Details forthcoming. General Course Requirements At least 16 credit hours must be at the 8000- or 9000-level (not including HIST 9000, 9005, 9300, or other dissertation/research courses). The program of study for a student who bypasses the master’s degree must contain 4 semester hours of University of Georgia courses open only to graduate students in addition to 16 semester hours of 8000 and 9000 level courses. HIST 9005, Doctoral research (HIST 9000), and dissertation writing (HIST 9300) may not be counted in these 20 hours. Required Courses: GRSC 7001 GradFirst Seminar in any UGA department the fall of the first year of coursework. HIST 7400 (Professional Development for Historians)—taken during the spring of the first year of coursework. HIST 7900 (The Theory and Practice of History) — to be taken during the first semester or at the earliest opportunity. HIST 8001 (Teaching History in Colleges and Universities). A minimum of three credit hours of HIST 9010 (Advanced Doctoral Studies)—generally taken the fall of the student’s third year, as they are preparing for comprehensive examinations. A minimum of six credit hours of HIST 9300—three hours of which are generally taken the semester the student defends their dissertation. Students may not register for HIST 9010 or HIST 9300 until all required coursework has been completed and they have received permission from the Director of Graduate Studies. HIST 9010 is taking the semester of comprehensive exams. HIST 9300 is taken each term after the successful completion (passing) of comprehensive exams. Seminars All Ph.D. students must take a minimum of two 8000-level research seminars as part of their Program of Study. Ph.D. students without an M.A. must take at least three seminars. Seminars may be taken in any geographic or thematic field, but students must complete at least one seminar outside their primary geographic area of study. This outside seminar may be: In a geographically or temporally distinct field, or In a comparative or thematic field, such as race, gender, empire, environment, or intellectual history. Students are encouraged to consult with their major professor and the Director of Graduate Studies to ensure that their seminar choices support a coherent and intellectually rich program of study. Colloquia All Ph.D. students must take a minimum of four colloquia (12 credit hours). These colloquia should be selected in consultation with the major professor and advisory committee. All students must complete at least four colloquia as part of their program of study: Two colloquia in the student’s major geographic or chronological field, if available. If only one is offered during the student’s coursework period, a substitute course may be used. This substitute must be: Open only to graduate students; Clearly relevant to the student’s field of study; Approved by the student’s major professor and the Director of Graduate Studies. At least one colloquium in a comparative field, such as race, empire, gender, environment, or religion. At least one colloquium in a field geographically or temporally distinct from their major field. Substitutions should be justified as contributing to the intellectual coherence of the student’s program and require written approval by the major professor and Director of Graduate Studies. Additional Course Guidelines Students may take additional graduate classes beyond requirements, including 6000-level classes. These courses will not count towards their program of study requirements. Students may take up to two graduate-level courses outside the Department of History that can count towards fulfilling departmental degree requirements. Students must receive prior approval from the Director of Graduate Studies. Grade and GPA Requirements To remain in good standing and to graduate, students must maintain a cumulative 3.5 GPA on all graduate coursework.
