Focus Field
The focus field is a distinctive area of study that will prepare you for dissertation research. We expect you to choose from among these four focus areas of faculty strength:
Primary Field
Each student chooses one primary field: American; European; or World. This field provides the survey breadth expected for students in their general dissertation area. Students must take the two core 900-level classes in their chosen primary field.
Secondary Field
You will also select a secondary field to provide the analytic and methodological tools to develop your primary focus field research. You should take four courses in: Ethnic Studies (ETHN); Great Plains Studies (GPSP); Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs (HRHA); Nineteenth Century Studies (NCST); and Women’s and Gender Studies (WMNS), which is enough to achieve a certification or specialization. Course offerings in these areas are listed on each field’s website:
- Ethnic Studies
- Great Plains Studies
- Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs
- Medieval and Renaissance Studies
- Nineteenth Century Studies
- Women's and Gender Studies
Applied Field
Courses in the applied field are designed to provide you with valuable skills, knowledge, and experience applicable to a variety of careers within and outside academia. Ph.D. students are required to take 3 courses for 9 credits in one applied field. The following fields are available:
- Digital Humanities & Public History
- Education
- Global Studies
- Law & Policy
Comprehensive Examinations
Purpose: The purpose of comprehensive examinations is to assess your preparedness for research and teaching in your chosen fields. Successful completion of the exams is required before you will be admitted to candidacy.
Format: Comprehensive examinations consist of written responses to three sets of questions from each of your fields (Focus, Primary, and Secondary). Each field is examined through no more than three questions that you must respond to within 72 hours. You must complete all three examinations within a two-week period. You must pass all three written examinations, as documented in the Report on Comprehensive Examination forms that all three faculty examiners must complete, before advancing to the two-hour oral examination administered within two weeks of passing your written exams.
Timing: Students typically take comprehensive exams in the 6th or 7th semester (second semester of the third year or first semester of the fourth year), depending on their Program of Study. Students should consult with their advisers very early in their program to discuss any language requirements or specializations that may delay their comprehensive exams.
Results: Students will receive notification of the written exam results by the faculty who supervise each field within one week of the exam date. Each evaluation is given as high pass, pass, or fail. Should the student fail any part of the comprehensive examination, he or she may attempt another examination, or a part thereof, during the following academic term only on the recommendations of the Supervisory Committee and the Graduate Chair. The Supervisory Committee will complete the Comprehensive Examination form at the end of the oral examination, indicating the student’s performance on each written examination and on the oral examination.