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History and Geography

Prospective Students

The online application for Fall 2025 admission is now open. Applications are due by December 1, 2024.

Our Digital History Ph.D. program welcomes applications from individuals with a record of strong academic performance who intend to devote full or part-time study to attain the doctoral degree (PhD) in digital history. This program accepts applications from students with a humanities background and a bachelor's or master's degree in fields such as History, Women and Gender Studies, African American Studies, and Cultural Studies, or Public History. The curriculum is designed to be flexible depending on the methodological training of the student. This program will prepare students for a variety of careers through its combination of critical humanistic inquiry, computational training, and a required practicum experience. Our program is in person, not online, and residency is required.

We admit new students into the Digital History Ph.D. program and not into the direct sponsorship of individual faculty. However, we ask that students indicate their probable field of study and identify faculty members with whom they would like to collaborate. A primary advisor and an advisory committee is typically assigned in a student’s first year of study. We offer U.S., World, and European fields and have faculty with expertise in three thematic clusters: Women, Gender, and Sexuality, U.S. South, and Empire and Colonialism.

The department offers funded assistantships to a limited number of full-time students each application cycle. Decisions on the awarding of assistantships are made by the department’s Graduate Committee. This funding includes a tuition waiver and a stipend for the academic year. These assistantships are eligible for renewal for up to five years. Students do not need to complete a separate application to be considered for funding.

 

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Useful Links for Prospective Students

Admission Requirements

Applications for full or part-time study must be submitted no later than December 1, 2024 for full consideration for admissions and funding. Applications submitted after the program's deadline may be evaluated for admission without funding at the discretion of the department’s graduate admission committee.

Students are admitted to the graduate program by the dean of the graduate school upon the recommendation of the program director or department chair. All persons applying to the Ph.D. program in digital history must submit the following to the Graduate School:

  1. Unofficial Transcripts (final-official required once admitted)
  2. TOEFL, IELTS or PTE, and Duolingo (for international applicants)
  3. Three Letters of Recommendation
  4. Resume/CV
  5. Statement of Purpose (1-2-pages) - The statement of purpose should articulate your motivation and aspirations for pursuing a Ph.D. in digital history as well as a demonstrable track record of accomplishment and perseverance. Applicants should explain why a Ph.D. in digital history is appealing to them. Additionally, students should outline their research interests and identify a network of Clemson History faculty who they would like to collaborate with. Interests can be general or specific and multiple interests can be listed. Details about the fields and thematic clusters that Clemson faculty work in can be found on our Faculty by Field page.
  6. Writing Sample (15-30-pages)
  7. Optional: Example of digital engagement uploaded to the Supporting Materials page of the application form (submitted as a .pdf, url, or other file format).
  8. A completed Graduate School application form

Funding

The department will offer funded assistantships to a limited number of full-time students each application cycle. Decisions on the awarding of assistantships are made by the department’s Graduate Committee. This funding will include a tuition waiver and a stipend for the academic year. Assistantships for the 2023-24 year were $22,500 over 9-months. We expect future stipends will match or exceed that sum. These assistantships are eligible for renewal for up to five years. Students do not need to complete a separate application to be considered for funding.

Tuition and Fees

Funded students receive a tuition waiver and are responsible only for a few university fees. To calculate those fees, see the the Tuition and Fee Calculator on the Student Financial Services webpage. When using the calculator, be sure to select the Digital History PhD program on the Graduate tab.