It should be emphasized that these criteria are guidelines to assist the graduate faculty in deciding admission. Every student admitted to the doctoral program will be assigned an advisor who is a regular member of the graduate faculty. The advisor, in consultation with the student, will be responsible for constituting doctoral prospectus and dissertation defense committees. The advisor will also represent the student to the Graduate Committee in its evaluative role. Each semester at registration the faculty advisor should approve the student's course of study.
Students have the right to change advisors.
Changes before a student advances to candidacy must be made with the approval of the Graduate Director and the new faculty advisor. After advancement to candidacy, changes may be made only by petition to the Graduate Committee. The initial student-advisor agreement, and any subsequent changes, must be recorded on the form provided by the Department and filed in the student's permanent file. All doctoral students are required to complete a minor field of study in a field of specialization outside the student's general field of study. The course-work minor will comprise nine hours, which will ordinarily be taken in the History Department but may also be taken in a related subject in other departments.