University of San Francisco

What you'll study

This PhD emphasises deep engagement with primary sources, language competence and theoretical approaches to cultural history between the late antique, medieval and early modern eras. You will take advanced seminars in topics such as religious practice and ritual, book culture and manuscript studies, material and visual culture, early modern print and circulation of knowledge, social and legal history, and the history of emotions and identity formation.

• Coursework and seminars: Core seminars provide training in historiography and methodology alongside field seminars that rotate through specialist topics in medieval and early modern Europe.
• Language training: Students develop reading competence in relevant languages — commonly Latin and one or more vernaculars such as Old/Middle French, Italian, Spanish or German — to support primary-source research.
• Research and archives: The programme trains students in palaeography, codicology and archival methods, preparing them for sustained manuscript and printed-source work in local and international archives.
• Comprehensive examination: After completing coursework, candidates pass comprehensive exams or submit an equivalent portfolio demonstrating breadth and depth in their chosen fields.
• Teaching practicum: Doctoral students gain supervised teaching experience, preparing them for academic roles through practicum courses and assistantships.
• Dissertation: The programme culminates in an original doctoral dissertation based on substantial archival or material-source research, defended before a faculty committee.

Entry requirements

Applicants typically hold a master’s degree in history or a closely related discipline; exceptional applicants with a strong bachelor’s record and significant research experience may also be considered. You should submit a detailed research proposal that demonstrates familiarity with primary sources and historiography, an academic CV, transcripts, and a high-quality writing sample (such as a chapter from a master’s thesis or an article).

• Three academic letters of recommendation
• Demonstrated language preparation appropriate to the proposed research
• International applicants must meet the university’s English-proficiency requirements
• Evidence of potential for sustained independent research and teaching

Career prospects

Graduates from this programme move into a range of career paths where skills in research, critical analysis, archival practice and teaching are valued. Conventional academic trajectories include postdoctoral fellowships, tenure-track positions in history or related humanities departments, and teaching roles at colleges and universities.

• Museum and curatorial work, including roles in conservation, interpretation and collection management
• Archive and library careers, particularly in special collections and manuscript repositories
• Public history, cultural heritage management and historical consultancy for media or heritage organisations
• Publishing, editing and scholarly communications
• Policy and nonprofit sector roles that require strong research, writing and project management skills

Why study at University of San Francisco

The University of San Francisco combines a small, collegial doctoral environment with the research advantages of a major metropolitan region. Located in San Francisco, the department benefits from proximity to rich archival repositories, libraries and museums across the Bay Area, offering students access to major collections and collaborative opportunities with neighbouring institutions.

USF’s emphasis on interdisciplinary work and ethical engagement complements cultural-historical study, and doctoral students receive close faculty mentoring, opportunities for funded research and teaching experience through assistantships. The programme’s scale supports tailored supervisory relationships and frequent seminar interaction, while the city’s cultural institutions provide practical internships and public-facing projects that enhance employability beyond the academy.