Frequently Asked Questions

Digital history is the use of computer-based tools and methods to research, analyze, and present the past. This includes techniques like text mining, data visualization, GIS (mapping), and network analysis. At Clemson, we emphasize using digital tools to pursue meaningful historical questions. As digital sources become more common and technologies like AI continue to reshape the research landscape, digital fluency is becoming essential for historians across academic and non-academic careers.

• Photogrammar by Taylor Arnold, Nathaniel Ayers, Justin Madron, Robert K. Nelson, Lauren Tilton, and Laura Wexler
• Gossamer Network and Paper Trails: The US Post and the Making of the American West by Cameron Blevins
• Lincoln A. Mullen, America’s Public Bible: A Commentary (Stanford University Press, 2023) 
• American Religious Ecologies, Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media, George Mason University (2018–)
• Stephen Robertson and Lincoln Mullen, Special Section of the Journal of Social History on Arguing with Digital Histories.
• “Digitally Analyzing the Uneven Ground”, Joshua Catalano in Current Research in Digital History (2018)
• Mapping the Gay Guides, Amanda Regan and Eric Gonzaba, (2019-)
• Other journal in the field include the Journal of Digital History, Current Research in Digital History, Computational Humanities Research and the Journal of Cultural Analytics.

These projects and journals showcase the diverse ways historians are using digital methods to uncover new insights and share research with broader audiences.

Clemson’s Digital History Ph.D. is the first program of its kind in the United States, offering students rigorous training in both historical research and digital methods. What sets our program apart is its dual emphasis: we prioritize critical, humanistic inquiry while equipping students with the technical skills needed to conduct computational research. Our approach ensures that history drives the digital—not the other way around.

Digital history is no longer a niche skillset; it’s rapidly becoming essential. Historians today must navigate large-scale datasets, born-digital sources, and evolving AI tools that are reshaping the research landscape. Training in digital history not only deepens how we ask and answer historical questions—it also expands career possibilities for our graduates, both within and beyond academia. Anecdotally, we find that students with digital skills are often more competitive on the academic job market.

No, Clemson’s Ph.D. in Digital History is a distinct program, and all students are expected to complete digital coursework as part of the degree. The program integrates digital methods throughout the curriculum and emphasizes their use in historical research. If you are looking for a more traditional doctoral program without a digital component, this may not be the right fit.

No. While a background in history is encouraged, it is not required. We welcome applicants with either a B.A. or M.A. in history or related humanities fields such as African American Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies, Public History, or Cultural Studies. Our curriculum is designed to support students from a range of disciplinary experiences and provides foundational training in both historical thinking and digital methods. If you're unsure whether your background is a good fit, feel free to reach out to the program directors at dhphd@clemson.edu.

We accept applicants with either a B.A. or an M.A. While a master’s degree is not required, students without an M.A.—especially those without a strong background in history—may find it beneficial to first apply to Clemson’s M.A. program in history to strengthen their research skills and disciplinary grounding before pursuing the Ph.D.

No. Our coursework is designed to guide you through learning the digital skills you’ll need, step by step. While familiarity with basic computer skills (like typing, using Microsoft Word, or navigating an operating system) is helpful, it is not required. The key to learning digital tools is a willingness to explore, make mistakes, and learn through doing.

Because all students gain proficiency in at least one computer programming language, traditional foreign language requirements are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Whether a student needs to demonstrate reading knowledge in another language depends on their specific research topic and source base. This requirement will be discussed and negotiated with the student’s advisory committee in consultation with their advisor.

Your personal statement should explain why you’re interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Digital History and how your background has prepared you for doctoral study. Describe your research interests, any relevant academic experience, and how those interests align with the strengths of Clemson’s program. While digital experience is not required for admission, we encourage applicants to highlight any relevant skills or projects. You should also explain how you see digital methods supporting your scholarly goals and what you hope to gain from digital training. The statement is your opportunity to show your intellectual curiosity, motivation, and potential to contribute to the field.

We also strongly encourage applicants to identify faculty members with whom they would like to work and to reach out to those individuals before applying. While the Graduate Committee makes admissions decisions, we seek feedback from potential faculty advisors on each application. Choosing a Ph.D. program means choosing an advisor, and this relationship is central to your graduate experience and professional development. Your advisor—and, to a certain extent, your advisory committee—will serve as mentors throughout your time in the program and well into your career. Use your personal statement to show how your interests connect with the faculty at Clemson. You can find details about faculty expertise on the Faculty by Field page.

Funded students typically receive five years of support and begin working on their dissertation prospectus after approximately 2.5 years of coursework and comprehensive exams. The time it takes to complete the program varies depending on how quickly a student finishes the dissertation.

According to Clemson University’s Graduate School policy, all doctoral degree requirements must be completed within eight (8) years of a student’s initial enrollment in the program.

Yes, part-time enrollment is allowed. However, part-time students are not eligible for departmental funding, do not serve as teaching assistants (TAs), and are responsible for covering their own tuition and fees. We welcome applications from part-time students, especially those with professional or personal commitments that make full-time study impractical.

The Department of History offers a limited number of fully funded assistantships to full-time students in the Digital History Ph.D. program. These assistantships include a full tuition waiver and a competitive stipend (For 2024-2025 it was $22,500 for nine months) and are renewable for up to five years, contingent on satisfactory progress and funding availability.

Assistantships typically include teaching or research responsibilities. No separate application is required to be considered for funding—students who apply by the priority deadline are automatically considered. Part-time students are not eligible for funding or assistantships.

Clemson is a small town nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in upstate South Carolina. The area offers a high quality of life with a low cost of living, access to hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor activities, and a strong sense of community. While many students live in Clemson proper, others choose nearby cities like Easley or Greenville, which provide more urban amenities while still offering easy access to campus. Greenville, a mid-sized city with a vibrant downtown, is located about 45 minutes from Clemson and offers a lively food, music, and arts scene.

Graduate students join a supportive and engaged graduate community at Clemson, with access to professional development opportunities, campus resources, and a welcoming environment for research and study. For more, visit Clemson’s Living in Upstate SC page. If you’d like to learn more, reach out to the program directors, who can connect you with current graduate student representatives.