These requirements and procedures supplement the general requirements listed
in the University of Houston Graduate Studies Catalog. (http://www.uh.edu/grad_catalog)
The University of Houston requires an M.A. or equivalent degree in the
appropriate field from an accredited institution. In addition, applicants should
have a 3.67 grade point average on all graduate work attempted, and an
acceptable score on the Verbal and Analytical portions of the Graduate Record
Examination (see below); the ability to demonstrate a reading proficiency in one
or two foreign languages before or during the first academic year of residence
in the Ph.D. program (see "Language Requirements" below); and an adequate
academic background as determined by the departmental graduate committee. The
application deadlines are as follows: January (Spring) admission -- November 1;
August (Fall) admission -- January 15. Applications received after January 15
may be delayed. Application forms may be obtained from the Director of Graduate
Studies, Department of History, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
77204-3785.
Plan III M.A. (non-thesis) students may be admitted into the Ph.D. program, but
they must submit to the Graduate Committee before admission a research paper
which demonstrates the ability to pursue independent research. The Plan II
students will also be required to satisfy the language requirement before
enrolling for courses toward the Ph.D.
Scores of 550 on the Verbal and Analytical sections of the GRE are desirable,
but GRE scores are only one of several factors the department uses in admission
decisions.
RESIDENCY
The student must be in full-time residency for at least two semesters beyond the
master's degree, except that an applicant deemed by the graduate committee to be
inadequately prepared may be required to be in full time residency for up to
four semesters. Full-time residency status will be determined for each student
on the basis of his/her courses, research, reading, or assistantship duties.
ABD CERTIFICATION
To achieve ABD status, the student must complete all course work satisfactorily,
complete the foreign language requirement, and pass the comprehensive
examination.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
The Ph.D. is awarded on the completion of a dissertation that makes a
significant contribution to knowledge. The candidate must also demonstrate a
thorough knowledge of major and minor fields and satisfy the appropriate course
and residency requirements.
From the moment of entry into the doctoral program the student should focus upon
preparing for the comprehensive examinations though appropriate courses and
independent study. Any student with Incompletes on his/her record, or who has
not passed the foreign language requirement, will not be allowed to take the
comprehensive examination. To assist students in the selection of courses, the
Director of Graduate Studies will assign an advisor to each student. Major
fields are available in the history of the following areas: United States,
European, and Latin American History.
THE MAJOR IN UNITED STATES HISTORY
The student majoring in United States History must pass "Introduction to
Graduate Study in U.S. History," and prepare for the comprehensive examination
by developing a course strategy with his or her advisor. Within these seminars
and colloquia the student will give particular emphasis to major themes and
historiography. The minor field is excluded from the comprehensive examination.
See section on course requirements below for further information on specific
courses.
THE MAJOR IN EUROPEAN HISTORY
For the major in European History, the following procedure prevails:
The students must prepare for a written comprehensive examination covering three
thematic or chronological fields in this area, as determined through
consultation between the student and the student's graduate advisor. See section
on course requirements below for further information on specific courses.
Examples of fields:
European Diplomatic History, 1500-1900
Tudor-Stuart England
Old Regime and Revolutionary France
Early Middle Ages or Later Middle Ages
Renaissance and Reformation Europe
Great Britain and the Empire, 1485-1783
Seventeenth Century Europe
Europe since 1914
European Economic History, 1500-1900
Hapsburg Spain, 1500-1700
European Intellectual History, 1600-1800
Germany and Italy since 1870
English Legal history
Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Social history
Within the chosen fields, the student will give particular emphasis to major
themes and historiography. The minor area is excluded from the comprehensive
examination.
THE MAJOR IN LATIN AMERICAN HISTORY
Students in Latin American history will prepare for a written comprehensive
examination covering three chronological and/or geographic fields. See section
on course requirements below for further information on specific courses.
THE COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION FOR UNITED STATES HISTORY
The student entering the Ph.D. program must assemble a three-member Advising
Committee by the second semester of his/her training. The student should take
the comprehensive examination by the seventh semester after entering a graduate
program, normally one-and-a-half years after completion of the Master's Degree.
(Part-time students should consult with their Advising Committees to determine
the appropriate time to take the comprehensive examinations).
The comprehensive examinations will consist of two different parts, composed by
different bodies, and with different objectives:
Part A of the comprehensive examinations is designed to prepare the student
specifically for writing the dissertation and is thus written for the individual
student. It aims to relate specific interests with the larger conceptual issues
relevant to the period that will be involved in the dissertation, that is,
either with U.S. History to 1877 or U.S. History since 1877. Part A consists of
two compulsory questions composed by the student's Advising Committee in
reference to the student's research interests for the dissertation. All members
of the student's Advising Committee to participate in the writing of the two
compulsory questions must have participated in the most recent annual discussion
of the student's preparation and progress.
Part B of the comprehensive examinations is designed to assess breadth of
knowledge. This part of the examination is not tailored to the individual
students. Part B consists of three sections. The three sections are [a] U.S.
History to 1877; [b] U.S. history since 1877; and [c] Topics in U.S. History.
Each student will answer questions in only two sections of Part B: the
chronological period not covered in Part A and the topical section. In each
section there will be a choice of questions, and each student will answer a
single question in each of the two relevant sections. A committee of three
faculty members appointed by the Director of Graduate Studies will draft the
questions of Part B, but will solicit possible questions from all U.S. history
faculty.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE U.S. COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS
No student with Incompletes on his/her record, or who has not satisfied the
foreign language requirements, will be allowed to take the comprehensive
examination.
The comprehensive examinations will be in take-home format over a period of two
weeks. The student will answer Part A in the first week and Part B in the second
week. The two parts must be taken consecutively and in that order. The total
number of questions actually answered shall be four: the two compulsory
questions of Part A and two questions from Part B, one from each of the relevant
sections.
UNSATISFACTORY EXAMINATIONS
Students who submit an unsatisfactory examination on only one of the four
questions must address that question in an oral examination before the committee
that drafted the question. An unsatisfactory evaluation of the oral examination
will result in the student taking that part over again at the next
administration of the examination. Students who fail two or more questions must
retake the entire examination at the next examination period. If either Part A
or Part B was completed unsuccessfully, the student must retake only the part of
the comprehensive examination that was unsatisfactory. A student taking the
examination a second time, either in whole or in part, must submit satisfactory
answers to all the questions asked. [However, the same rule applies about an
oral examination as stated above.] An unsatisfactory examination on the second
attempt will result in the student's termination from the program.
THE COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION FOR EUROPEAN AND LATIN AMERICAN STUDENTS
No student with Incompletes on his/her record, or who has not satisfied the
foreign language requirement, will be allowed to take the comprehensive
examination.
A Ph.D. student should take his/her comprehensive examination within one
semester after s/he has completed the minimum course work required for the
degree or has completed the course work stipulated by his/her academic advisor
in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies. Failure to take the
comprehensive examination by the designated time may be cause for removal from
the Ph.D. program. The comprehensive examination, given in the Fall and Spring
semesters on a date designated by the Director of Graduate Studies, will
evaluate the student's knowledge of major themes and historiography in the
chosen areas. A panel of faculty members, selected by the Director of Graduate
Studies, will evaluate examinations and award scores of "Pass With Distinction,"
"Pass," or "Fail." A student is required to pass all three sections of the
examinations in order to receive a grade of "Pass;" otherwise, the examination
must be retaken within one year. In the rare case, where a candidate passes two
of the fields, but fails the third field, the comprehensive examination
committee may choose to pass him/her in two fields. The student will be required
to retake only the failed field in six months' time. An unsatisfactory
examination on the second attempt will result in the student's termination from
the program.
The comprehensive examination will consist of three written essays, each one 3
1/2 hours long given over three successive evenings. The student will answer one
of two essays in each of the three chosen fields.
For students in European history, at the Comprehensive Committee’s discretion,
students may be required to take an oral exam within two weeks of the written
comprehensive. The oral may be used to clarify written answers and/or to expand
discussion of issues related to the exam more generally.
For students in Latin American history, an oral is required to finish the
comprehensive examination process. It may be used to clarify written answers
and/or to expand discussion of issues related to the exam more generally.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
The student must complete a minimum of sixty-six semester hours of graduate
credit, including course work for the M.A. degree. Students with M.A. degrees in
history complete thirty-six further hours; students with non-history M.A.s
complete forty-eight hours. A maximum of six hours for the M.A. thesis, nine
hours for the Ph.D. dissertation, and twelve hours of special problems courses
can be included in the sixty-six hours. After the comprehensive examination,
students will be required to enroll in a least three hours of dissertation
credit each semester. Students must enroll in 9 dissertation hours the semester
of graduation. All credit beyond the M.A. degree must be exclusively in graduate
courses.
Students in U.S. history who have not previously taken HIST 6353, Introduction
to Graduate Studies in U.S. History, must do so. The U.S. history student's
total graduate hours must include at least 5 readings and research seminars (3
and 2, or 2 and 3). Note: Readings courses carry the 6393 number and research,
6394.
Students in European history are required to take two historiography courses:
1. European Historiography to the Sixteenth Century (HIST 6321)
2. European Historiography from the Sixteenth Century to the present (HIST 6322)
as well as a research seminar (HIST 6340) if they have not previously done so.
Students in Latin American history are required to take three historiographies:
1. Latin American Historiography Colonial Period (HIST 6310)
2. Latin American Historiography Modern Period (HIST 6312)
3. Latin American Historiography Mexican (HIST 6314)
as well as a seminar (usually 6396) and an outside historiography (in European
history; a U.S. seminar requires the advisor's permission) if they have not
previously done so.
All Ph.D. students must complete a minor of 9 hours. This minor may be within or
outside the History Department, but should emphasize a geographic area different
from the student’s major area. Minors should be planned with the student's
academic advisor, and all minors must include at least one history course.
Students also can pursue a 12-hour World History minor [with 2 courses in World
History and 2 in a specific area different from the student’s major area]. Those
students at the ABD stage must take HIST 6351 ("The Professional Historian"), a
course covering the various academic and non-academic roles of the professional
historian.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
The student in United States history must demonstrate a reading knowledge of one
foreign language, normally chosen from French, German, Russian and Spanish. With
the approval of the Graduate Committee, another language may be substituted if
it is germane to the student's research. The student in continental European
history must demonstrate a knowledge of two European languages, either modern or
ancient. A second language may also be required of the student in English
history. Other languages may be required, at the discretion of the student's
advisor. Students in Latin American history are required to take Spanish
(through Portuguese may be substituted for students specializing in Brazilian
history). The foreign language examination(s) should be taken prior to or during
the first academic year of the student's doctoral program. Reading proficiency
in a language can be demonstrated in one of five ways:
a. A score of 550 or higher on the Graduate Student Foreign Language Test (GSFLT)
given by the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ.
b. Certification of competence by the Modern and Classical Language Department
of the main campus of the University of Houston.
c. A grade of B or better in two graduate (6000-level) readings courses in the
foreign language. A grade of B- will not be accepted.
d. A grade of B or better in one graduate (6000-level) readings course in the
foreign language plus a 500-word translation. A grade of B- will not be
accepted.
e. Recent completion of beginning and intermediate college levels (four
semesters) of foreign language with a grade of B or better.
f. If a student cannot satisfy the Language Requirement in another way, it may
be possible for a History Department faculty member with competence in the
language to provide certification. Note: This is only an option when it is
impossible to satisfy the requirement by options (a)- (e).
DISSERTATION
The dissertation should make a significant contribution to historical knowledge
in the student's major area and should be based upon original, independent
research. From the beginning of the doctoral program, the student should be
investigating possible topics. Upon the successful completion of the candidate's
comprehensive examination, the Director of Graduate Studies, in consultation
with the student's advisor, will appoint a dissertation committee consisting of
three members of the History faculty and one faculty member from another
discipline. Note: U.S. students should have a committee assembled prior to
taking the comprehensive exam.
The approval of a dissertation topic is an important stage in the dissertation
process. Students in U.S. history are to develop a topic in conjunction with
their committee prior to taking the comprehensive exam. All non-U.S. students
are to present an acceptable proposal to their dissertation committee within 90
days of passing the comprehensive exam. No U.S. student can take the
comprehensive exam without a committee and approved topic. If a non-U.S. student
does not present a dissertation proposal within the required time limit, this is
grounds for the Graduate Committee to drop the student from the Ph.D. program
because the student would be considered as failing to make satisfactory towards
the degree.
In addition to approving the dissertation topic, the dissertation committee will
approve the topic, read the manuscript before final typing, conduct the oral
defense, and approve or disapprove the completed dissertation. The defense
committee will designate the student's achievement by awarding one of three
grades: "Pass With Distinction," "Pass," or "Fail."
CONTINUING ENROLLMENT, TIME LIMITATIONS, AND GOOD STANDING
The graduate student is expected to be enrolled in consecutive terms (Spring and
Fall semesters) until the completion of the degree program and awarding of the
degree. The graduate student who is not enrolled should not expect to be able to
use the facilities of UH or consult faculty members.
UH Policy on Continuous Enrollment: The graduate student is expected to be
enrolled in consecutive terms [Spring and Fall semesters] until the completion
of the degree program and awarding of the degree. The graduate student who is
not enrolled should not expect to be able to use the facilities of UH. If
necessary, the graduate student should contact the College of Liberal Arts and
Social Sciences [CLASS] Dean’s Office for college regulations on enrollment.
Time Limitation:
Ph.D. students in U.S. history should normally take the comprehensive
examination one-and-a-half years after completion of the Master's Degree.
Students in European or Latin American history should take their comprehensive
examination within one semester after completing the minimum course work
required for the degree. After completion of the exam, the student has five
years to complete his/her dissertation or the comprehensive examination must be
retaken and the total time limit for a Ph.D. is 10 years (see Graduate Catalog).
Students will be required to complete a progress form each fall documenting
their advancement through the Ph.D. program.
Good Standing:
Students at the Ph.D. level must maintain a GPA of at least 3.67. Failure to
maintain a GPA at this level may jeopardize the administering of the
comprehensive examination. Grades do reflect a student's progress. The meaning
of the grade is as follows:
A (4.0) Excellent
A- (3.67) Very Good
B+ (3.3) Promising
B (3.0) Adequate
B- (2.67) Unsatisfactory
C+ or below Unacceptable
Department's Termination Policy:
Students who fail to maintain satisfactory progress are subject to termination.
The department will track progress by looking at both continuous enrollment and
whether students are in good standing. If a Ph.D. student fails to enroll prior
to the 12th class day of a semester, he or she will receive a warning that their
file will be moved into the Inactive Classification unless he she immediately
enrolls.
After failing to enroll for two semesters, the Graduate Committee will consider
whether the student should be dismissed from the program on the grounds that the
student's progress is unsatisfactory.
University's C+ Rule:
A graduate student who receives a grade of C+ or lower in 12 semester hours of
credit attempted at this institute for graduate credit or for application toward
a graduate degree, whether or not in repeated courses, is ineligible for any
advanced degree at this institution and will not be permitted to re-enroll for
graduate study.
Statement on Professional Development:
Graduate study is not merely about taking courses and writing papers, theses, or
dissertations; it is also about becoming a professional historian. The History
Department, the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and the university
offer many speakers and conferences on a wide variety of topics relevant to
student interests. We encourage and expect students to attend events and to join
professional meetings, present papers within the department or at meetings, and
take on professional responsibilities in such organizations when possible. These
activities will help develop lifelong learning habits that are of both
professional and personal benefit.
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
Department of History
ANNOUNCES
The Murry A. Miller Graduate Scholarships in History
These are one and two year scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 to be
awarded to superior incoming graduate students.
Miller Scholarships come from a fund established in memory of Dr. Murry A.
Miller, former history professor at the University of Houston.
Scholarships will be awarded by the Graduate Committee, Department of History.
All full-time students applying for a teaching assistantship will automatically
be considered for a Miller Graduate Scholarship.
Murry A. Miller Graduate Scholarships in History may also be awarded to
outstanding UH history graduate students who are engaged in full-time research
and writing of M.A. thesis or Ph.D. dissertations.
ANNOUNCEMENT
STELLA EHRHARDT MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIP
CULLEN GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
ELIGIBILITY
¨ The fellowships are available for outstanding students who will begin their
graduate studies at the University of Houston in the Fall. The main criterion
for selection is academic excellence.
NOMINATION Nominations should include the following:
¨ A letter of nomination from the department chair or Director of Graduate
Studies. (Student must have a current mailing address).
¨ Three letters of reference, two of which must be from faculty familiar with
the nominee’s current academic record and work.
¨ The candidate’s statement of his or her academic goals.
¨ Transcripts and test scores (GRE, GMAT, LSAT, etc.)
¨ A list of awards, publications and/or samples of work where possible and
appropriate.
AWARDS
¨ Entering graduate students will be awarded scholarships of $5400 in addition
to any other graduate support they may receive from their departments or
colleges.
NOTE: Incoming students do not apply directly to the University for a fellowship
or scholarship. Nominations are made by the Department of History.