Brandeis University

What you'll study

The doctoral programme centres on deep engagement with primary sources and historiographical debates in medieval and early modern European cultural history. Course work typically begins with advanced seminars in cultural, intellectual and social history, methodological courses in historical theory and practice, and training in palaeography and diplomatics where relevant. Students pursue language training (commonly Latin and one or more modern European languages such as French, German, Spanish, or Italian) to support archival research.

• Core seminars in topics such as medieval religiosity, early modern print culture, the history of the book, urban and material culture, and court and ritual studies.
• Research methods courses addressing archival methods, manuscript studies, digital humanities approaches, and quantitative/source-criticism techniques.
• Field examinations or qualifying exams designed to demonstrate broad knowledge of periods and themes and readiness to proceed to dissertation research.
• Dissertation work under the guidance of a faculty committee; students develop and defend a prospectus and produce an original scholarly monograph-length dissertation grounded in primary-source research.
• Teaching experience through assistantships or supervised instruction, preparing students for academic and related careers.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a strong bachelor’s degree and, preferably, a master’s degree in history or a closely related field. Typical application materials include a statement of purpose outlining research interests in medieval or early modern European cultural history, an academic CV, an extended writing sample of scholarly work (such as a seminar paper or master’s thesis), and three academic letters of recommendation.

Successful candidates usually demonstrate prior training in historical methods and some competence in relevant languages; the department expects doctoral students to reach working reading knowledge of Latin and at least one modern European language by the time of dissertation research. The department may also request transcripts and, in some cases, an interview as part of the selection process.

Career prospects

Graduates of the programme pursue a range of careers rooted in advanced research skills, critical analysis and language competence. Common paths include:

• Postdoctoral fellowships and tenure-track positions in university history departments or related humanities programmes.
• Research and curatorial roles in museums and archives, including positions in special collections and conservation projects.
• Public history work in cultural heritage organisations, historical societies and government agencies.
• Editing, publishing and scholarly communication roles, as well as positions in educational outreach and programme management.
• Careers in policy, libraries, digital humanities, and non-profit cultural organisations where skills in source analysis, languages and complex narrative construction are valued.

Why study at Brandeis University

Brandeis combines a close-knit graduate community with access to a rich range of research resources. The History Department emphasises faculty mentoring and seminar-based training, allowing students to work closely with scholars whose expertise spans religious history, intellectual history, material culture and early modern social practices. Interdisciplinary connections across Jewish Studies, Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies, and humanities initiatives enable comparative and cross-cultural projects.

Students benefit from the university’s libraries and special collections as well as its proximity to the Boston area’s major research libraries, archives and museums, which facilitate extensive archival work. Funding and professionaldevelopment support, teaching opportunities, and a collegial environment geared to producing publishable research make Brandeis a viable place to complete a PhD in medieval and early modern European cultural history.