While there were not a few Ph.D. degrees awarded at Harvard nominally in political science at the turn of the 20th century that were in fact Ph.D. degrees in economics, starting with the academic year 1904-05 the economics Ph.D. degree became officially separated from the Ph.D. in political science “in accordance with the general practice of universities”. It would take another couple of decades for a Ph.D. in sociology to split off from the Ph.D. in economics, but that is a story for another post.
In this post I have transcribed the cover memo submitted by a committee of the Division of History, Government, and Economics that recommended the establishment of a distinct economics Ph.D. This memo is followed by the explicit requirements to be satisfied by candidates for the Ph.D. in economics at Harvard as of 1904-05. Links to the rules and regulations from other years have been included as well.
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Previously transcribed requirements for the Ph.D. in Harvard University’s Division of History, Government, and Economics
Degree Requirements for 1897-98.
Full 1897-98 Division Announcement
Degree Requirements for 1911-12.
Degree Requirements for 1921-22
Degree Requirements for 1934-35.
Degree Requirements from 1947.
Degree Requirements from 1958.
Degree Regulations from 1968.
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Members of the Committee to Review the Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree
Chairman Charles H. Haskins, Professor of History
Albert Bushnell Hart, Professor of History
Abbott Lawrence Lowell, Eaton Professor of the Science of Government.
William Zebina Ripley, Professor of Political Economy and Chairman of the Department of Political Economy
William Frank Taussig, Henry Lee Professor of Economics
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HARVARD UNIVERSITY.
Cambridge, Mass., March 5, 1904.
To the Division of History and Political Science: —
The Committee of the Division of History and Political Science appointed to consider the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy submits herewith its report in the form of a revised statement of the regulations governing the degree. No fundamental changes have been made, nor has it been the purpose of the committee to make the attainment of the degree materially harder or easier than at present. The changes proposed arise partly from the necessity of giving fuller recognition to the instruction now offered in economics and government, and partly from the attempt to correct certain tendencies which have appeared in connection with the general examination.
It is the opinion of the committee that the time has come for distinguishing the degrees offered to the student of economics and the student of government, in accordance with the general practice of universities; and the establishment of the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy in Economics is accordingly recommended. A list of subjects suitable for candidates in economics has been drawn up, and the list in political science has been revised and expanded. Unimportant changes are also suggested in the list of subjects in history.
It seems to have been the original intention, of the Division that the general examination should come comparatively early in the course of the candidate’s studies and should serve not only as a guarantee of comprehensive study but also as a sort of “qualifying round,” a test of general eligibility for the subsequent study for the degree. In practice the general examination has become the principal examination, the tendency being more and more evident for students to postpone this examination to the third or even the fourth year of study and to put off further preparation for the doctorate until after this examination. The result is that for most students the greater part of their graduate study is a continuous and avowed cram for the general examination. Their choice of courses and reading is determined by this, and many take no seminary or research courses and get no start in independent work before their last year of study. The committee believes that the general examination should come earlier, so that the weak may be discouraged before they have gone too far, and the strong may be ready as soon as possible to work freely and independently. It is not easy to suggest any legislation which can be trusted to accomplish this end, but the proposed reduction in the number of subjects from seven to six and the allowance suggested for honors at graduation ought to have some influence in this direction. More, however, will depend on the spirit in which the general examination is conducted.
On the other hand there is a constant tendency to narrow unduly the field for the special examination, and the committee recommends that the special field be not less in extent than one of the subjects offered for the general examination. If the period between the general and the special examination be lengthened, it will not be unreasonable to expect somewhat better preparation for the special examination.
The requirement of a reading knowledge of French and German has existed on paper only; it is proposed that each candidate shall satisfy the Division on this point by a special examination or otherwise.
This statement has been drawn up for the convenience of the Division by the chairman of the committee: the report has the approval of the whole committee, consisting of Messrs. Hart, Lovell, Ripley, Taussig, and Haskins.
Charles H. Haskins, chairman.
Source: Harvard University Archives. Division of History, Government & Economics. PhD. Material through 1917. Box 2, in an unlabeled folder.
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DEGREE OF PH.D.
[Division requirements, 1904-05]
For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy not less than two years devoted to advanced studies, approved as affording suitable preparation for the degree, are required of graduates of colleges of good standing. This degree is not usually taken in less than three years after the attainment of the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Harvard College, or an equivalent. A graduate of another college may ascertain by writing to the Dean of the Graduate School whether any special conditions will be imposed upon him. In order to be admitted to the degree the candidate must show a general training in the whole field of study, firm grasp of his special subject within the field, and independent research in some portion of that subject. He must present a thesis, showing original treatment or investigation, and must pass such examination or examinations as may be required by the Division. The degree is given on the ground of thorough study and high attainments. Appropriate studies carried on in the Graduate School of any other university may be recognized as a part of the candidate’s preparation for the degree. The minimum period of residence at Harvard University is one year.
The University confers the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in History; in Political Science; and in Economics. Candidates for the degree under any of these heads are subject to supervision and examination by the Division of History and Political Science. In order to indicate the grounds on which it is prepared to recommend candidates for the degree, the Division has adopted the following statements and suggestions.
[…]
GENERAL PREPARATION
Every candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy is required, at an early stage in his preparation, to submit to the Division, through its chairman, evidence of the extent and quality of his general studies. A command of good English, spoken and written, the ability to make free use of French and German books, and a fair acquaintance with general history are expected in all cases. On the evidence presented, the Division will decide, provisionally, as to the sufficiency of the candidate’s general training. No set examinations will be held at this stage, but the candidate’s ability to use French and German will be specially tested in connection with the general examination described below. Candidates may be required to make up deficiencies by pursuing specified College courses, or in such other way as the Division may designate. The provisional acceptance of a candidate, as regards this portion of his preparation, does not preclude the Division from rejecting him later, if, in the examination on specific subjects, it shall appear that his general education is insufficient.
Candidates must ordinarily pass two examinations: the first general, the second (after the acceptance of the thesis) on a special field, defined in each case by vote of the Division.
I. GENERAL EXAMINATION
The first examination will be held not later than the beginning of the last year of study for the degree, and candidates are recommended to present themselves for this examination in the course of the preceding academic year. The object of this test is to ascertain the applicant’s attainments within a considerable range of subjects in the field of History, Political Science, or Economics. He will ordinarily be examined in six subjects in all, chosen from the groups defined below under the respective departments of study. Candidates are not required, however, to follow the details of these plans. They may present, for the consideration of the Division, reasonable substitutes for any of the topics named, and may offer appropriate combinations of parts of the separate subjects. They are advised in all cases, to submit their plans of study for approval at an early date. In judging of the candidate’s fitness for the degree, regard will be had to the general grasp and maturity shown, as well as to the range and accuracy of his attainments in the specific subjects of examination.
The scope of the general examination may be reduced by one of the three following methods:—
- Graduates of Harvard College of distinguished excellence, shown by taking highest honors on oral examination, may by special vote of the Division be excused altogether from this examination.
- Graduates of Harvard College of high excellence, shown by taking honors on oral examination, may be excused from examination in not more than three of the six subjects, by a vote of the Division.
- Students from other institutions, bringing credentials of high excellence, may on entering the Graduate School submit themselves to a special oral test, similar to the honor examinations, in not more than three of the six subjects.
II. THESIS
The thesis must be in the hands of the Chairman of the Division on or before April 1 of the year in which the degree is sought. It must be accepted as satisfactory before the candidate can be admitted to the final examination. It must show an original treatment of the subject, or give evidence of independent research, and must also be in good literary form and suitable for publication.
III. SPECIAL EXAMINATION
The second examination will be on a single limited subject agreed upon in advance. It is intended that each candidate should have, as far as possible, freedom of choice in selecting his subject, but it is expected that he will submit, for approval, an outline of work to be presented in satisfaction of this requirement. It is desirable that this outline should be submitted a year in advance of the examination. Ordinarily the ground covered by the special examination will not be greater in extent than one of the subjects offered by the candidate at his general examination, and may be identical with one of these subjects. Or the candidate may limit his more special preparation to an approved portion of this field, which will regularly include the period or topic within which the thesis lies. At the final examination, the candidate will be expected to show such a mastery of his special field, and such an acquaintance with the literature, general and special, bearing on it, as would qualify him to give instruction to mature students.
[…]
THE DEGREE OF PH.D. IN ECONOMICS
[1904-05]
GENERAL PREPARATION
Candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Economics must meet the requirements stated on p. 56. They should also be well grounded in the main outlines of European and American history, and should have had a general view of the nature and growth of political institutions and constitutional law.
GENERAL EXAMINATION
This examination (the general conditions of which are stated on p. 56) will include six subjects, chosen from the following list. Of the six subjects, at least one must be taken from each of the groups A, B, C, and D, the first three of these groups being purely economic, while the fourth, more general in character, is intended to secure a somewhat broader basis of preparation. In all cases at least one of the subjects chosen must be historical in character, either economic history under group B or one of the historical fields defined under Group D
Group A
- Economic Theory and its History.
Group B
- Economic History to 1750.
- Economic History since 1750.
- Sociology and Social Reform.
- Statistics (Literature, Methods, and Results).
Group C
- Money, Banking, and Commercial Crises.
- Public Finance and Financial History.
- Transportation and Foreign Commerce.
- Labor Problems and Industrial Organization.
Group D
Selected topics from one or more of the following fields:—
- History of Political Institutions in Mediaeval Europe, including England.
- History of Political Institutions since 1500 in Europe, including England.
- History of American Institutions.
- Modern Government and Comparative Constitutional Law.
- Jurisprudence.
- Philosophy.
- Anthropology
Source: Harvard University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences. University Publications, N.S. 129. Division of History and Political Science Comprising the Departments of History & Government and Economics,1904-05 (Cambridge, Mass.: May 16, 1904), pp. 55-58, 61-62.
Image Source: The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. “Sever Hall, Harvard Univ., Cambridge, Mass.” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1898 – 1931. Also see Library of Congress (image dated 1904).
