PhD Holocaust and Genocide Studies

Program Overview

The Doctor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Gratz College is designed for students already holding a graduate degree in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, history, or another related discipline. Doctoral students will engage in a meta-study of genocide to understand the phenomenon from a comprehensive range of academic approaches—historical, sociological, geographical, psychological, legal, theological and scientific—to inform their dissertations while reviewing the significant literature and conducting in-depth original research in the field.

Curriculum Map

Total Degree = 48 credits

Required Core Courses = 21 credits

• Unveiling the Underpinnings of Genocide
• Gender and Genocide II
• Genocide in the Modern World
• Genocide and International Law
• A Geographical Approach to the Study of the Holocaust
• The Psychology and Sociology of Altruism and Rescue
• Post-Genocide Theology

Electives = 9 credits

Students will take 3 elective courses to supplement and further enhance their knowledge base in specific areas of interest related to research or comps out of a choice of at least 6 courses.

Research Requirement = 3 credits

All students will be required to take the Doctoral Research Methods Seminar in preparation for dissertation work as described below.

Seminars = 6 credits

Seminar A: Current Topics

Students will discuss a timely topic in the seminar with a faculty member or guest professor as part of the required coursework. Course topics will be developed and updated as appropriate with current issues in the Seminar B: Concept Paper Seminar

Students will share concept papers with fellow Ph.D. students to further enhance critical consideration of their research plans and learn from the research of their peers.

*Students will be required to show proficiency in reading a foreign language relevant to their research.

**Students will be required to take a (no-credit) Academic Writing course

DISSERTATION: 9 credits

Concept Paper: 3 credits: The concept paper focuses on formulating the research questions and writing the concept paper. Once the dissertation advisor is satisfied with the results, the concept paper will be sent to the Program Chair for approval. This approval must be obtained before work may be done on the proposal phase of the Dissertation.

Proposal: 3 credits: The content of the proposal includes the methodology and content of each chapter, including a thorough review of the literature that either supports or refutes the dissertation thesis. Once approval is received from the dissertation advisor and program chair, the student may proceed to the final stage of the writing the dissertation.

Dissertation Report: 3 credits: The final report includes the collection and implementation of data, along with recommendations for further research if appropriate.

Admission Requirements

• Online application and $50.00 application fee
• Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with minimum GPA of 3.0
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts from all higher education institutions attended
• Current résumé
• Personal Statement
• Personal Interview – via Skype or in person
• Writing Sample