University of San Diego

What you'll study

This interdisciplinary PhD combines advanced coursework, seminars and guided research across fields such as literature, history, philosophy, cultural studies, languages and interdisciplinary humanities. Students take core seminars in theoretical approaches to the humanities, research methods (including qualitative, archival and digital methods), and elective seminars that reflect their chosen concentration or designed programme of study.

Typical components include:

• Advanced seminars on critical theory, historiography, and contemporary debates in the humanities.
• Research methodology courses covering archival research, ethnography, textual analysis and digital humanities tools.
• Field-specific courses tailored to the student’s concentration (for example, American studies, comparative literature, cultural history, philosophy of culture).
• Language competency or other skills training where required for primary source research.
• Teaching practicum opportunities and supervised teaching experience across undergraduate courses.
• Comprehensive or qualifying examinations to assess preparedness for dissertation research.
• Original doctoral dissertation under the supervision of a faculty committee, including a prospectus stage and public defence.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a relevant master’s degree or equivalent graduate preparation in a humanities or closely related field, with a strong academic record. Required application materials typically include:

• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
• A detailed curriculum vitae or résumé demonstrating academic and research experience.
• A statement of purpose outlining research interests, proposed areas of inquiry and reasons for seeking interdisciplinary training at the University of San Diego.
• Writing sample that demonstrates research and analytical ability (such as a chapter, article or substantial essay).
• Letters of recommendation from academic referees who can speak to the applicant’s potential for doctoral study.

Some applicants may be asked to provide evidence of language proficiency relevant to their research, and programmes may set minimum GPA expectations. Standardised tests are not uniformly required across all humanities PhD programmes; applicants should consult the department for current testing policies.

Career prospects

Graduates of an interdisciplinary humanities PhD pursue careers in a range of sectors. Common pathways include:

• Academic careers as faculty members, lecturers, or postdoctoral researchers in humanities departments and interdisciplinary programmes.
• Research and curatorial roles in museums, archives and cultural institutions.
• Leadership and policy positions in non-profit organisations, cultural agencies and community-based humanities projects.
• Higher education administration, curriculum development and academic advising roles.
• Publishing, editorial and communications careers that draw on advanced research and writing skills.

The programme’s emphasis on interdisciplinary methods, teaching experience and public-facing scholarship is designed to prepare graduates for a diversity of professional contexts where analytical, research and critical communication skills are valued.

Why study at University of San Diego

The University of San Diego’s College of Arts and Sciences offers a liberal arts environment rooted in the university’s Jesuit Catholic tradition of rigorous inquiry and ethical engagement. PhD students benefit from close mentorship in small cohorts, opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration, and access to faculty with strengths across literature, history, philosophy and cultural studies.

Situated in a city with rich cultural and archival resources, students can pursue archival research, partnerships with local museums and community organisations, and interdisciplinary projects that draw on San Diego’s regional, transnational and borderland contexts. The university also provides professional development workshops, teaching support and resources for grant-writing and public scholarship to help doctoral students transition into academic and non-academic careers.