A. Program Description. The Department of History at Tulane University offers graduate study across a range of geographic and thematic strengths. The doctoral program offers a unique combination of individual attention, broad faculty specialization, and spectacular library and archival collections. Students accepted into the program receive significant financial support and gain experience in research and teaching.

B. Special Programs. See the website.

C. Financial Aid. Students receiving financial support from the graduate school (that is fellowships and teaching assistantships, not loans) are expected to be full-time students and in residence during the academic year. The department can grant exemptions from the residency rule for the purposes of research and can also approve a limited amount of paid employment provided this does not interfere with the student’s studies. Any student who wishes to accept paid employment or who wishes to be exempt from the residency requirement must seek prior approval from the Director of Graduate Studies. Failure to do so could put the continuation of your stipend at risk.

Competitive research and write-up fellowships are available to students in the Department of History. Some of these are reserved for doctoral students in the Department of History while others are shared with other departments or are available university-wide.

Summer or short-term funding, especially for preliminary research trips are available from a variety of sources.

D. Degree Requirements. Students must earn their M.A. degree before being admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. Candidates working for the Ph.D. must complete the following program: Obtain the M.A. degree with thesis, including required historiography and methodology courses: HIST 7001 “Seminar in Historical Practice” in the fall semester of their first year and HIST 7003 “Historiography and Methodology I”, before the start of their second year. HIST 7003 is normally taken as independent studies over the summer. Complete at least a further twelve credits of course work, including HIST 7005 “Historiography and Methodology II” before the start of their third year. HIST 7005 is normally taken as independent studies over the summer. Students must include in their course work at least three 7000-level seminars in addition to the required seminar HIST 7001 “Seminar in Historical Practice” (independent studies do not count as a seminar). Courses taken outside of the department of history require approval of your advisor. The course work can be divided into two or three fields. Complete two required writing courses: HIST 7006 “Intermediate Historical Writing” normally taken over the summer before the second year and HIST 7007 “Advanced Historical Writing”, normally taken in the summer before the start of the third year. Demonstrate proficiency in two languages (one language for students whose first field is United States or Britain from 1500). Teach for one semester, in addition to 4 semesters of service as a teaching assistant or research assistant. Complete HIST 7008 “Professional Development and Documentation”, leading to the successful compilation and defense of the portfolio. Write an acceptable dissertation, and defend this in an oral examination.

Directory of History Dissertations

Doctoral Program Statistics 2024-25:
PhD students currently enrolled: 24
PhD applications received: 52
New PhD students: 5
% of students receiving tuition waivers: 0
% of students receiving stipends: 5