Florida State University

What you'll study

The doctoral programme combines advanced coursework, language and methodological training, qualifying examinations, and an original dissertation. Core study typically covers cultural, religious and intellectual history of medieval and early modern Europe, including topics such as religion and devotional practices, book history and manuscript culture, visual and material culture, early modern print and reception, gender and social life, and the history of ideas.

• Coursework: Advanced seminars in medieval and early modern European history, historiography and research methods. Students often take electives in related fields such as Classics, Art History, Religious Studies, Comparative Literature and Museum Studies to support interdisciplinary research.
• Languages: Intensive training in research languages is a standard expectation—commonly Latin and one or more modern European languages (for example French, German, Italian or Spanish)—tailored to dissertation needs.
• Methods and tools: Training in archival research, palaeography, codicology, and increasingly in digital humanities methods for text analysis, mapping and digital editions.
• Qualifying examinations: After completing coursework, students take written and/or oral qualifying exams to demonstrate mastery of historiography, primary-source languages and their chosen field.
• Dissertation: The PhD culminates in an original doctoral dissertation making a substantial contribution to medieval or early modern European cultural history, produced under the supervision of faculty advisers.
• Teaching and practical experience: Doctoral students typically gain experience as teaching assistants or instructors, and may also undertake internships with archives, museums or digital projects.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a strong master’s degree (MA) in history or a closely related field; exceptional candidates with a strong bachelor’s degree and demonstrated research experience may be considered. Typical materials required by the department include:

• Academic transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
• A research statement or statement of purpose explaining research interests in medieval and early modern European cultural history and rationale for doctoral study.
• A writing sample demonstrating ability to conduct original historical research (often a seminar paper or MA thesis chapter, typically 20–30 pages).
• Letters of recommendation (usually three) from academic referees who can assess research potential and preparedness for doctoral study.
• Evidence of language preparation relevant to the proposed research (for example prior coursework in Latin or modern European languages) and a plan for fulfilling language requirements.
• International applicants must meet the university’s English language proficiency requirements (e.g. acceptable scores on recognised tests) unless exempted by institutional policy.

Applicants should consult the Department of History’s admissions guidance for up-to-date details on any additional departmental requirements, funding consideration and submitted materials.

Career prospects

Graduates of the programme pursue a range of careers that draw on advanced historical research skills and language training. Common trajectories include:

• Academic careers: tenure-track and teaching positions in universities and colleges, postdoctoral research fellowships, and visiting lectureships in medieval and early modern history.
• Archives, libraries and museums: curatorship, collection management, archival processing, conservation and public programming, especially in institutions with manuscript and early printed-book holdings.
• Public history and heritage: roles in historical interpretation, conservation planning, historic sites administration and cultural heritage management.
• Digital humanities and editing: digital scholarly editions, text-encoding projects, GIS mapping for historical research and other technology-driven scholarship.
• Publishing, cultural policy and non-profit work: editorial roles, research management and positions that require specialist knowledge of historical sources and interpretation.

Why study at Florida State University

Florida State University’s Department of History offers doctoral students access to a broad range of resources and interdisciplinary collaboration suited to medieval and early modern research. The university’s libraries, including Special Collections and Rare Books, hold strong manuscript and early print holdings and provide support for paleography and archival work. Students benefit from cross-departmental links with Classics, Art History, Religious Studies and Digital Humanities, enabling combined approaches to cultural, textual and material history.

Doctoral students at FSU typically have opportunities for funded teaching experience and compete for departmental fellowships and assistantships that support dissertation research. The department fosters a research community through regular colloquia, workshops and reading groups, and students can take advantage of regional cultural institutions and archives in the capital area for additional primary-source material and public-history experience.

FSU’s emphasis on mentorship, methodological training and professional development prepares graduates both for academic careers and for roles in museums, archives and public history where deep knowledge of medieval and early modern European cultures is essential.