PhD students in History/Theory come from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds. Many hold the professional MArch degree, but with demonstrated ability in architectural history and theory. Some also come with a post-professional, research-based master's degree in the field.While only a small cohort enter each year, they develop close ties with students from previous years and from other departments across campus.

Coursework for PhD students in H/T focuses on graduate level seminars and research papers in architectural history and other disciplines that enable them to develop mastery in the field and to become proficient in conducting scholarly research.  Experience in teaching, particularly as Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs) in the survey courses in the history of architecture (Arch 313, 323, and 413), is considered critical for students intending to pursue academic careers.  Opportunities are also available to work with faculty as Graduate Student Research Assistants (GSRAs).

The research areas of PhD students in H/T, like those of the faculty, are wide-ranging. While committed to the study of buildings, cities, and the theories and processes related to them, the area encourages its students to take an interdisciplinary approach to their subjects. Not only do they select H/T courses (see recent H/T course offerings and doctoral program in architecture courses),  but also courses offered by the other doctoral program specialization areas, Building Technology and Design Studies, and by other departments and centers across campus. At the same time PhD students in H/T may choose to engage more formally in interdisciplinary studies by pursuing joint degrees in other fields, or by participating in one of the many certificate programs available across campus. Beyond required coursework, these degree and certificates programs provide valuable resources and opportunities, including special seminars which bring together graduate students from a wide range of fields.

Doctoral students in H/T are encouraged to create special initiatives that they believe will enhance their educational experience.  If funding is required for such initiatives, proposals can be made to the doctoral program and other university units.  In Winter 2005 students in H/T organized the highly-successful conference “Homelands in Question:  Re-locating ‘Europe’ in the Spaces of Cultural Negotiation,” with funding from the Center for European Studies (CES), the Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies (CMENAS), the Rackham Graduate School, TCAUP, as well as the PhD program.  It brought together graduate students and faculty from all the doctoral areas, from other units, as well as other institutions around the country.  Recently H/T students have joined with other students in the Architectural Doctoral Program and the Urban and Regional Planning Program to create the Planning Architecture Research Group.  PARG is entirely student run and provides a forum for graduate students to exchange information and develop their academic skills.  Since 2005 a Rackham Interdisciplinary Workshop entitled "Classics and Architectural History" has been organized by students in H/T and in Classical Studies to foster intellectual exchange between Art, Architectural History, and Classics on the issue of the reception of classical architecture, in particular its re-processing or re-appropriation by architects and humanists.

PhD students in H/T are highly competitive with their peers within UM and in other institutions in pursuing funding, both internal and external.  In recent years they have received prestigious awards within UM, including those offered by the Rackham Graduate School and the Institute for the Humanities.  Fellowships have come from external agencies, including the Fulbright, American Academy in Rome, Social Science Research Council, American Research Center in Cairo, and Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (German Academic Exchange Service). These awards have enabled H/T students to pursue the study of languages, to travel to conduct pre-dissertation research, and most importantly to conduct long-term dissertation research.

During their careers at UM, many PhD students conduct outside research projects with faculty, present papers at academic conferences, and even publish scholarly papers. Such publications, papers, and projects are considered important adjuncts to the development of students into scholars.  Funding from the Doctoral Program and the university is available to support this work, including the Rackham Conference Travel Grant.