University of Iowa

What you'll study

The doctoral programme centres on advanced study of cultural practices, texts, objects and institutions across medieval and early modern Europe. Students combine coursework and seminars with independent research, learning to work with manuscripts, printed sources, visual and material culture, and the scholarly literature in several modern and historical languages. Typical areas of focus include intellectual and religious history, book and print culture, material culture and the history of art, gender and family history, legal and institutional history, and early modern scientific and philosophical cultures.

Programme structure usually includes a period of taught seminars and methods training, language preparation, qualifying or comprehensive examinations, and a sustained dissertation project. Core training emphasises palaeography and codicology, bibliographical methods and archival research techniques, and may be supplemented by work in digital humanities methods for textual editing, database work and digital publishing. Students present research in departmental seminars and are expected to undertake supervised archival research away from campus for their dissertation.

• Advanced seminars in medieval and early modern topics
• Methods and historiography courses (including manuscript studies and book history)
• Language training in relevant modern and historical languages (for example Latin, German, French, Italian, Spanish)
• Teaching practicum and experience as a graduate teaching assistant
• Comprehensive/qualifying examinations and a dissertation prospectus
• Original dissertation based on primary-source research

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a BA and often a MA in history or a closely related discipline, with demonstrable preparation in European history and research languages appropriate to the proposed field. A strong application typically includes a clear research statement or dissertation prospectus, an academic writing sample (such as a seminar paper or MA essay), curriculum vitae, official transcripts, and three letters of recommendation from academic referees.

Evidence of language competence in one or more relevant languages (for example Latin plus one modern European language) strengthens an application; departments may require further language training after admission depending on the candidate’s project. Relevant professional experience—archival work, teaching, museum or curatorial experience—can also be an advantage. Applicants should consult departmental guidance for any programme-specific requirements and for information on funding and assistantships.

Career prospects

Graduates of the programme pursue a range of careers in and beyond the academy. Typical paths include:

• Academic careers: postdoctoral fellowships, college and university teaching and research positions in medieval and early modern history or related fields
• Libraries, archives and museums: curatorship, archival management, special collections positions and conservation-related roles
• Public history and heritage: interpretation, exhibition development, cultural resource management and work with historic sites
• Publishing, editing and digital scholarship: scholarly editing, cultural publishing, and roles in digital humanities projects
• Education, policy and cultural institutions: secondary and adult education, research administration and roles in cultural NGOs

Why study at University of Iowa

The University of Iowa offers a research-oriented environment with faculty working across a broad range of medieval and early modern topics, enabling close mentorship and intellectual exchange. Students benefit from the university’s library and special collections resources, opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration (including centers engaged with book history, digital humanities and manuscript studies), and a supportive graduate community that places emphasis on both research training and teaching development.

The department encourages archival research and provides guidance for developing language competence and methodological skills required for primary-source work. Graduate students also have access to campus workshops, funding advice for research travel, and professional development programming aimed at preparing scholars for careers in higher education and cultural institutions.