Content
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, Secondary, and Applied). Each field is examined through no more than three questions that you must respond to within 72 hours. You must complete all four examinations within a five-week period. You must pass all four written examinations, as documented in the Report on Comprehensive Examination forms (available for History faculty via shared SharePoint/OneDrive folder “Dept. Forms” or through request with the History Graduate Secretary) that all four faculty examiners must complete, before advancing to the two-hour oral examination administered within two weeks of passing your written exams.
Accommodations
Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the adviser and/or Graduate Chair for a confidential discussion of their individual needs for academic accommodation. It is the policy of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to provide flexible and individualized accommodation to students with documented disabilities that may affect their ability to fully participate in program requirements. To receive accommodation services, students must be registered with the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office.
Timing
Students typically take comprehensive exams in the 6th or 7th semester, 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
You will receive notification of the written exam results by the faculty member who supervises each field within one week of the exam date. The committee chair should consult with the graduate secretary to be sure that all committee members have and complete the Report on Comprehensive Examination, which must be completed within a week of the conclusion of the written examinations and prior to the beginning of the oral examination. Each evaluation is given as “Pass” or “Failed.” Your four examiners will complete Comprehensive Examination forms for each of your exams at the end of the oral examination. If you pass your comprehensive exams and have completed your language requirement, you will submit the completed Advancement to Candidacy form to the Office of Graduate Studies. Note that the Advancement to Candidacy form is signed by your Supervisory Committee, which may include different faculty than your examiners. Should you fail any part of the comprehensive examination, you may attempt another examination, or a part thereof, during the following academic term only on the recommendations of your Supervisory Committee and the Graduate Chair. Failure to pass the second attempt will result in a recommendation for termination from the program.