History PhD
Table of Contents
The Department of History offers a rich environment and unparalleled resources for doctoral students. The National Capital Region provides ready access to numerous national museums, federal departments, cultural institutions, and Library and Archives Canada.
Our faculty embodies a diverse range of geographical, thematic, and theoretical interests. We offer excellent opportunities for supervising work in Canadian History, Indigenous History, Early Modern history, Modern Europe, the Atlantic world (especially Africa/the Caribbean/Latin America), the Middle East, South Asia, and U.S. History. The Department’s research interests include broad, transnational thematic areas, such as women’s and gender history, family history, religious history, migration studies, and the history of the book. Our faculty are also on the forefront of emerging areas, including environmental history, state formation, history of food and drink, the body and sexuality, and public memory.
All students in the PhD program in History at Carleton complete the following degree requirements:
- HIST 6808 (Historical Theory and Method – 1.0 credit)
- HIST 6906 (Ph.D. Major Field Tutorials – 3 terms/1.5 credits)
- HIST 6907 (Ph.D. Comprehensive Exam – 0.5 credit)
- 1.0 credit in Cognate Area courses
- 1.0 credit in Professional Development Project courses
- HIST 6909 (Ph.D. Thesis)
Guidelines for Completion of Doctoral Degree
PhD Tutorials and Comprehensive Examination
All students complete 1.5 credits of tutorials (HIST 6906) in their major field in their first year. After completing three terms of tutorials, students will undertake a comprehensive examination in the major field, normally in September of their second year of the program. The exam has both written and oral components.
Cognate Area
All students complete 1.0 credit in a cognate area that complements their major field of study. The requirement is met through completion of 1.0 credit in HIST courses at the 5000- or 6000-level or, with permission of the Graduate Supervisor, in graduate level courses from another unit at Carleton or the University of Ottawa.
Professional Development Project
All students undertake a professional development project (1.0 credit) that enhances and complements their program of study and career goals. The nature of the professional development project is flexible and is to be determined jointly by the student, their dissertation advisor, and the Graduate Supervisor.
PhD Courses
With departmental approval, PhD students are eligible to enrol in courses in other departments and programs at Carleton, and at the University of Ottawa.
Please see the PhD Handbook for further information on program requirements.
Program Requirements
Admission Requirements
Applicants with an MA degree will be expected to have at least high honours standing.
Language Requirement
All students must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English allied to their program of study. The appropriate language requirement will be determined in conjunction with their dissertation advisor and the Graduate Supervisor. Proficiency is normally demonstrated through completion of the departmental language exam or course credits approved by the department. Language requirements must be met by the end of the student’s second year of study.
Residence Requirement
The normal residence requirement for the PhD degree is a minimum of two years of full-time study.
Collaborative PhD with a Specialization in Political Economy
The Department of History and the Institute of Political Economy offer a Collaborative Program in Political Economy at the PhD level. For further details, see the Institute of Political Economy and the graduate calendar.