Graduate Handbook | Second Year
As in the first year, review the basic requirements and your fields of study with your Counselor or Major Professor before registering for classes. Keep in mind that most program requirements must be met before you take your qualifying exams. Be sure your plans include the following:
- The language requirement
- Research seminars
- Sufficient course work in your fields of study – Four courses must be completed in your Major Field, two in your Minor Field, and three in your Area of Specialization.
- Sufficient total units – You need 60 to graduate and only 8 can come from dissertation work. That means you need to complete 52 units in other ways. If you are falling short of that mark with standard course work, consider enrolling in History 590: Directed Readings as part of your qualifying exams preparation in order to round out the necessary units.
Please consult the checklist on the back of your Advising Folder to assess your own progress.
Work as a teaching assistant is a significant part of your professional development. This work generally begins in the second year. For more details on work as a TA, see the subsection on Teaching.
Preparation for Qualifying Exams
Focused preparation for qualifying exams, including both intellectual and procedural steps, should take place during the second year. For more on the structure of the exams and the preparation process, see the subsection on Qualifying Exams.
As in the first year, you will again be asked to submit an Annual Report in advance of the History Department Year-End Screening Meeting. You will also again be asked to rank your TA choices or indicate other funding opportunities.