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PhD Candidacy

Once admitted to Ph.D. candidacy (aka becoming ABD—All But Dissertation), the student focuses all attention on completing a dissertation.

Students register for HIST 994 once they have passed their comprehensive exams and prospectus defense. HIST 994 registration allows students to conduct dissertation research on or away from campus. A minimum of six hours are required and cannot be taken simultaneously during one semester.
Between twelve and eighteen months after achieving ABD status, students must schedule and complete a formal progress review with their examining committees.
Upon completion, all degree candidates must successfully defend their dissertations before a committee composed of their adviser and four additional faculty members, two of whom may be qualified faculty members from outside the UNC History department. (Note: Complete the Dissertation Defense Form via the Graduate Student Intranet at least three weeks in advance of the defense date.)

554A Pauli Murray Hall*
102 Emerson Dr., CB #3195
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3195

*Though the History Department uses the name Pauli Murray Hall for our building, on official maps you will find it as Hamilton Hall. Joseph Grégoire de Roulhac Hamilton’s intellectually dishonest historical and archival work promoted white supremacy. In contrast, Pauli Murray marshaled unassailable evidence and analysis in the service of racial and gender equality. In July 2020, all of the departments housed in the building agreed to adopt the name Pauli Murray Hall in place of Hamilton Hall. An official request with the Chancellor is pending. For more information, please see here.
phone: 919.962.2115
fax: 919.962.1403
email: history@unc.edu
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