Navigating the UCLA History PhD Program: A Comprehensive Guide

The pursuit of a doctorate in history at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a rigorous and rewarding journey, demanding a high level of academic preparation, intellectual curiosity, and a clear vision for future scholarly endeavors. This guide aims to provide prospective and current students with a detailed overview of the UCLA History Ph.D. program, drawing upon official information and offering insights into its structure, requirements, and unique offerings.

Admission Requirements: Laying the Foundation for Doctoral Study

Securing admission to the UCLA History Ph.D. program is a competitive process, with the department seeking candidates who demonstrate exceptional potential for advanced academic work. The application deadline is December 1st, and all admitted students are expected to enroll the following fall, with deferred enrollment not permitted. The application process is entirely electronic, encompassing both admission and financial aid.

A foundational requirement for all applicants is a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, deemed comparable in standard and content to a degree from the University of California. While a major in History is not strictly mandated, applicants must be able to demonstrate a strong academic background in their intended field of study. This can be evidenced through undergraduate coursework, research papers, or other academic achievements.

For international applicants, or those whose first language is not English, proficiency in English must be certified. This can be demonstrated in two primary ways: through prior education, such as a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited university in the United States or a country where English is the sole language of instruction, or by submitting scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic. If admitted, further confirmation of English proficiency may be required upon arrival.

The admissions committee places significant weight on several components of the application. Unofficial transcripts are uploaded with the online application, providing an overview of academic performance. Crucially, the faculty relies heavily on the comments and assessments of colleagues at UCLA and other academic institutions. These letters of recommendation offer invaluable insight into a student’s abilities, preparation, and motivation, collectively forming a detailed picture of their background and potential. Applicants are encouraged to coordinate with their letter of recommendation service providers to ensure letters are uploaded directly to the application.

A candidate's statement of purpose is a critical element, distinguishing them from other applicants. This document should articulate the student’s research interests, demonstrate their ability to state research goals concisely, and reveal a degree of maturity and sophistication, qualities essential for success in this highly competitive program. The admissions committee actively seeks students who have already focused on a specific field and possess a reasonable awareness of what the department offers. The Personal Statement serves as an additional opportunity to provide supplementary information that can aid the selection committee in evaluating preparation and aptitude for graduate study.

A writing sample, no longer than 10 pages (double-spaced, excluding bibliography), is also required. Acceptable submissions include book reviews, senior theses, or research papers. An excerpt from a longer paper is also permissible.

It is important to note that the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not a required component for admission consideration. However, if applicants choose to submit GRE scores, the GRE Code for UCLA is 4837, and for the History department, it is 2799. These scores will neither enhance nor detract from an application.

Program Structure: A Ph.D. Centric Approach

UCLA's Department of History does not offer a terminal Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in History. Instead, students are admitted directly into the Ph.D. program, with the opportunity to earn an M.A. concurrently while completing the requirements for their doctorate. All graduate students entering the department are expected to complete the Ph.D.

The initial two years of study toward the Ph.D. are dedicated to coursework, language training, and teaching apprenticeships. Students are assigned a faculty adviser upon entrance and are expected to meet with them at least once per quarter. The completion of M.A. degree requirements is intrinsically linked to the doctoral program, serving as a stepping stone toward admission to the department’s doctoral candidacy.

Read also: UCLA History

Field Specializations and Language Requirements: Tailoring Your Historical Inquiry

The UCLA History Department is structured around several distinct fields of study, each with its own specific requirements, particularly concerning language proficiency. The importance of language training varies significantly from field to field. For instance, while some fields, like general history, might require only one foreign language, potentially allowing for minimal preparation at the outset, others demand substantial prior work in major languages.

Field-Specific Language Requirements:

African History: Proficiency in at least one foreign language is required, demonstrated by passing a departmentally administered exam or through Education Testing Services for European languages and UCLA internal assessment for African languages. The exam is 90 minutes long, and students may use a dictionary. Coursework or alternate languages may be substituted with approval.
Ancient History: Reading knowledge of one approved foreign language is necessary. Substitutions are possible with approval.
Chinese History: A minimum of three years of Chinese language study is required.
European History: To qualify for an M.A., students must pass one of the two language exams required for the Ph.D. by the start of their sixth quarter.
Japanese History: A minimum of three years of Japanese language study is required, followed by a 3-hour language examination before proceeding to qualifying exams. Students may use a dictionary.
Jewish History: Reading knowledge of one approved foreign language is required for the M.A. degree.
Latin American History: Proficiency in at least one foreign language is required, demonstrated by passing a departmentally administered exam. The exam is 90 minutes long, and students may use a dictionary.
Medieval History: An excellent command of Latin, French, and German, along with other modern and medieval languages pertinent to research, is expected. For the M.A. degree, only one language is required, which can be fulfilled by completing six quarters of language study with a 'B' or better or by passing a departmental examination.
Middle East History: Proficiency in two Middle Eastern languages and one European language is required, typically demonstrated through a departmentally administered exam. The exam is 90 minutes long, and students may use a dictionary.
Religion: Proficiency in at least one foreign language is required, demonstrated by passing a departmentally administered exam. The exam is 90 minutes long, and students may use a dictionary.
History of Science, Medicine and Technology: One foreign language is required, fulfilled by a department exam.
South and Southeast Asian History: Proficiency in at least one foreign language is required, demonstrated by passing a departmentally administered exam. The exam is 90 minutes long, and students may use a dictionary.
Comparative History: While not a distinct geographical field, students pursuing comparative history may need to demonstrate reading knowledge of languages relevant to their chosen topics across multiple fields.

In cases where a field lists two languages, competency must be demonstrated by passing departmental examinations or exams administered by the appropriate language department.

Coursework and Degree Requirements: Building a Scholarly Foundation

The Ph.D. program requires a minimum of 36 units, typically comprising nine courses, taken for a letter grade unless only offered on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis. At least six of these courses must be graduate-level (200 series), with the remainder drawn from upper-division courses (100 series). All students must successfully complete the 36 units.

A crucial component of the graduate coursework is the completion of a continuing two- or three-quarter research seminar, culminating in the preparation of a substantial research paper. In certain circumstances, with approval from the Field Coordinator, students may substitute courses within their two-quarter seminars. A one-quarter seminar followed by a directed studies course (HIST 596) can also replace the required two-quarter seminar. Courses numbered 495 and those in the 300 series do not count towards course requirements. Students may use a maximum of two History 596 courses towards both the total course requirement and the minimum six graduate course requirement.

Students in the History of Science, Medicine and Technology field are mandated to complete at least one two-quarter research seminar in their first two years, with a second seminar highly recommended. Similarly, students in Latin American History must complete a two-quarter research seminar (History 266, 267, 268).

Read also: Minor in Art History, UCLA

Comprehensive Examinations and Advancement to Candidacy: Demonstrating Mastery

The department employs a capstone plan for degree completion, with individual fields specifying the fulfillment of the examination requirement. This typically involves either a written examination designed to assess a candidate's ability to synthesize a broad field of knowledge or the submission of three essays written for at least three different professors as part of their program of study.

The comprehensive examination is graded on a pass/fail basis, with potential outcomes including: pass to continue to the Ph.D., pass subject to reevaluation for Ph.D. continuance, terminal M.A. pass, or fail. In cases of "pass, subject to reevaluation," the M.A. degree may be awarded with conditions.

Field-Specific Examination Procedures:

African Field: A four-hour comprehensive examination is required in May of the second year. Students entering with an M.A. must complete it by May of their first or second year. Those with an M.A. in African Studies or African History are exempt.
China Field: Students are examined in three fields and must begin written qualifying exams by the end of their ninth quarter. A written examination can be retaken once within six months.
European Field: Doctoral written qualifying examinations typically begin during spring break between the fifth and sixth quarters. These exams consist of three take-home written exams, administered over two weeks, designed to assess a comprehensive understanding of European history, including factual synthesis, scholarly literature, and historiographical controversies. A subsequent oral examination of approximately one hour is conducted by the student’s committee. Failure of the written examination may allow for a single retake.
Religion Field: Two written examinations are required: a general field exam on the academic study of religion and a specific field exam on a chosen region and/or religion.
History of Science, Medicine and Technology Field: Students must pass the written comprehensive examination to earn an M.A. and proceed to an oral qualifying examination for Ph.D. candidacy. This is typically administered at the end of the sixth quarter.
South and Southeast Asia Field: Written qualifying exams are expected by the end of the third year, upon which the M.A. degree is earned. Students must take written examinations in three of their four chosen fields.
Medieval History: At the end of the first year, the field committee evaluates coursework and a research paper to determine M.A. award and admission to the Ph.D. program.
Middle East Field: Students must pass the written comprehensive examination to earn an M.A. and proceed to an oral qualifying examination for Ph.D. candidacy.
[Unspecified Field]: This field requires passing a written comprehensive examination after 24 months of academic residence to earn an M.A. and proceed to an oral qualifying examination for Ph.D. candidacy. Examinations may be retaken once by petition. Students are advised to complete M.A. requirements within six quarters.

Students entering with a B.A. degree must present a field approval form signed by their faculty supporter by the end of their seventh quarter. Those entering with a master's degree from another department must do so by the end of their third quarter. Failure to meet these time limits can result in departmental probationary status or academic disqualification.

Dissertation and Mentorship: The Culmination of Doctoral Study

The dissertation is the capstone of the Ph.D. program. Entering students must select a faculty adviser by the end of their first quarter and meet with them at least twice per quarter during their first year. By the end of their sixth quarter, students must submit the names of their dissertation chair and committee members to the graduate counselor. Throughout the third year, students are expected to maintain regular contact with their dissertation chair and committee members, including an external faculty member. Upon advancing to candidacy, students must maintain contact with their dissertation chair at least three times per year. Failure to do so can lead to probationary status and potential disqualification.

Professional Development and Career Diversity: Preparing for Life Beyond Academia

In recognition of the evolving landscape of academic employment and the humanities, the UCLA History Department has significantly enhanced its focus on the professional development of its graduate students. A formalized, two-quarter professional development seminar has been introduced, centralizing various undertakings aimed at preparing students for success both within and beyond the Ph.D. program.

This seminar addresses critical topics such as crafting effective professional correspondence (CVs, cover letters, fellowship applications), nurturing professional relationships, and managing research projects. It also leverages campus resources to facilitate progress through the Ph.D. and explore post-graduation career options. The department has also benefited from the addition of a Graduate Career Officer (GCO), supported by funding from the AHA Career Diversity project.

The GCO's programs and activities intersect with the seminar, offering students complementary information and training through diverse delivery methods and engagement modes. This dual approach-a formal seminar and a dedicated career resource-underscores the department's commitment to guided professionalization, ensuring students are well-equipped for a variety of career paths, including those outside traditional academic institutions. Alumni have played a vital role in this initiative, sharing their diverse career trajectories and offering valuable insights into securing positions in community colleges, independent schools, and other professional sectors.

tags: #ucla #history #phd #program #information