Doctor of Philosophy - History

Plan Description

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is the ultimate expression of the History Department’s mission to generate and disseminate new knowledge of the past through research, reflection and publication. The doctoral program in history at UNLV has two subplans: United States History and European History. The degree aims at providing graduates with the capacity for original research and thought as demonstrated by the completion of a doctoral dissertation of substantial scope combining imagination and excellence.

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes, please visit the Degree Directory.

Learning outcomes for specific subplans can be found below:

• Doctor of Philosophy - History; Concentration in European Culture and Society
• Doctor of Philosophy - History; Concentration in North American Culture and Society
• Doctor of Philosophy - History; Concentration in North American West

Plan Admission Requirements

Application deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

1. All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements. 
2. Applicants must have completed significant course work at the upper division or graduate level in History.
3. Competitive scores on verbal, quantitative and analytical measures of the Graduate Record Examination.
4. Recommendations from three former instructors addressing the applicant’s preparedness for doctoral level work in United States History or European History.
5. A statement of purpose in which the applicant describes specific interests in and approaches to either United States History or European History. The statement should also include a description of the applicant’s background and training for advanced work in this field as well as academic and professional goals.
6. A writing sample in the form of a master’s thesis or original research paper of substantial length and quality. If possible, the writing sample should engage either United States History or European History.

Post-Bachelor’s subplans

1. B.A. or equivalent from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.75.
2. Students must have written an Honors Thesis in History or a closely related field, which must be uploaded as part of the application.

Post-Master’s subplans

1. M.A. or equivalent from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.50.
2. Students who have not completed HIST 710 and HIST 740 as part of their master’s degree will be required to complete them as a condition of their admission. Note: These courses will not count toward the 35 credits required for the Doctor of Philosophy – History.

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Plan Requirements

See Subplan Requirements below.

Subplan 1: Post-Bachelor’s – North American West
Subplan 2: Post-Bachelor’s – North American Culture and Society
Subplan 3: Post-Bachelor’s – European Culture and Society
Subplan 4: Post-Master’s – North American West
Subplan 5: Post-Master’s – North American Culture and Society
Subplan 6: Post-Master’s European Culture and Society

Subplan 1 Requirements: Post-Bachelor’s - North American West

Total Credits Required: 69

Subplan 2 Requirements: Post-Bachelor’s - North American Culture and Society

Total Credits Required: 69

Subplan 3 Requirements: Post-Bachelor’s - European Culture and Society

Total Credits Required: 69

Subplan 4 Requirements: Post-Master’s - North American West

Total Credits Required: 47

Subplan 5 Requirements: Post-Master’s - North American Culture and Society

Total Credits Required: 47

Subplan 6 Requirements: Post-Master’s - European Culture and Society

Total Credits Required: 47

Plan Graduation Requirements

Refer to your subplan for Graduation Requirements.

Subplan 1: Post-Bachelor’s – North American West
Subplan 2: Post-Bachelor’s – North American Culture and Society
Subplan 3: Post-Bachelor’s – European Culture and Society
Subplan 4: Post-Master’s – North American West
Subplan 5: Post-Master’s – North American Culture and Society
Subplan 6: Post-Master’s European Culture and Society