Loyola University Chicago

Department of History

PhD Degree Requirements

PhD Requirements by Track

PhD in History (with BA degree in hand)

Required Coursework

Total	60 hours
History 400	3 hours
History 403	3 hours
Two 500-level research seminars (one must be in major field)	6 hours
Six major field courses	18 hours
Three courses in first minor field	9 hours
Three courses in second minor field	9 hours
Directed Study/Electives	9 hours
Dissertation Proposal Seminar	3 hours

Additional Requirements for Degree Completion:

Two Research Tools*
Major Field Examinations (take-home essays; pass/fail)
Minor Field Examination (take-home essays; pass/fail)**
Major Field Oral Examination (pass/fail)
Dissertation Completion and Oral Defense

*Note: For students with a United States major field, at least one tool must be within public history.

**Note: Students in this track only take one minor field exam.

PhD in History (with MA degree in hand)

Required Coursework

Total	33 hours
History 400 (if equivalent not taken for Master's degree)	3 hours
History 403	3 hours
One 500-level research seminar (must be in major field)	3 hours
Four major field courses	12 hours
Three minor field courses	9 hours
Dissertation Proposal Seminar	3 hours

Additional Requirements for Degree Completion:

Two Research Tools*
Major Field Examinations (take-home essays; pass/fail)
Minor Field Examinations (take-home essays; pass/fail)
Major Field Oral Examination (pass/fail)
Dissertation Completion and Oral Defense

*Note: For students with a United States major field, at least one tool must be within public history.

PhD in Public History/American History

Required Coursework

Total	60 hours
HIST 400 (if equivalent not taken for Master's program)	3 hours
HIST 403	3 hours
One 500-level Research Seminar (must be in US History field)	3 hours
Six US History field courses	18 hours
Six Public History field courses	18 hours
One additional Public History course (must be 483, 492, or 581)	3 hours
Directed Study/Electives	9 hours
Dissertation Proposal Seminar	3 hours

Additional Requirements for Degree Completion:

Two Research Tools (one foreign language and one special skill)
Public History Portfolio Requirement
Two-hour Public History Field Oral Exam (pass/fail)
US History Field Examinations (take-home essays; pass/fail)
US History Field Oral Examination (pass/fail)
Dissertation Completion and Oral Defense

PhD Degree Completion Forms

Apply Now Request Information Contact Us

Student Testimonials

Ve'Amber Miller, MA in Public History ('21)

"What I enjoyed most about the Public History MA program at Loyola was the connections I made with my cohort. Quite often, teamwork became less of a chore and more something I could look forward to because of the support and passion I found amongst my colleagues. I have come out stronger and more confident about my own role in collaborative work."

Student Testimonials

Ruby Oram, PhD in Public History and American History ('20)

"This program is ideal for prospective students who want a foot in both worlds. I left the program feeling confident that I could work with cultural institutions as a public historian or pursue an academic career as a US historian in a four-year university. I currently do both as a faculty member at Texas State...."

Student Testimonials

Tara Hinkley, MA/MLIS Dual Degree Program ('21)

"Loyola's dual MA/MLIS program with Dominican has helped me hone my skills in librarianship, archives work and museum oriented work. My classes at Loyola provided connections with professionals doing history in many different ways and it truly opened my eyes to the incredible breadth of opportunities available to public historians..."

Student Testimonials

Bryan Escobar, MA in History ('14)

"Combining the traditional master’s program at Loyola with a minor focus in public history was an amazing experience for me. Going into graduate school I knew I wanted to work in the museum field but considered going through the traditional history route..."